Department of Linguistics

Undergraduate study

From October 2010 entry it will be possible to take a degree in Linguistics from Year 1. See course description

For those interested in linguistics the (Part 2) Linguistics Tripos provides the opportunity to focus exclusively on linguistics. For those interested in combining some linguistics with other subjects it remains possible, as has long been the case, to select within the Modern and Medieval Languages Tripos one or more papers taught by the Department of Linguistics. Students in some other Faculties can 'borrow' one linguistics paper.

The Undergraduate Coordinator is Dr Bert Vaux, bv230@cam.ac.uk, who can be contacted for general advice. For advice on specific papers please contact the person listed in the information on specific papers.

• Timetable of lectures for the current term (pdf)

• Linguistics papers

• Linguistics Tripos
• Linguistics within the Modern and Medieval Languages Tripos
• Linguistics within other Triposes
• Whether, and when, to change to the Linguistics Tripos
• Supervisions

• Reading Lists
• Recommended reference books you can consult in order to check specialist words and expressions that turn up in textbooks and in lectures.
• The Student portal has some useful information and resources
• Criteria for marking examination paper essays
• Faculty policy on plagiarism

• Costs


• Further study

Linguistics Papers

• Group A papers
• Group B papers
• Group C papers

Papers in Group A

Group A - Linguistics Tripos (compulsory paper)

Paper 1: Linguistic Theory (only available in the Linguistics Tripos)

Group A - Papers available in MML Part IB and Part II, and in the Prelim Exam for the Linguistics Tripos

Paper Li1: General Linguistics (To be taught for the last time 2009-10)
Paper Li2: Language Variation (To be taught for the last time 2009-10)

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Papers in Group B (optional papers within Linguistics Tripos and Prelim Exam, all also available in MML Part II)

Paper 3: Phonetics
Paper 4: Syntax
Paper 5: Semantics and Pragmatics
Paper 6: Phonology and Morphology
Paper 7: Historical Linguistics
Paper 8: The Structure of English (To be taught for the last time 2009-10)
Paper 9: Foundations of Speech Communication

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Papers in Group C (those borrowable into the Linguistics Tripos)

Paper 10: The Language of Italy (Paper It. 10 of the MML Tripos)
Paper 11: The Hispanic Languages (Paper Sp. 11 of the MML Tripos)
Paper 12: Aspects of the History of the German Language (Paper Ge. 11 of the MML Tripos)
Paper 13: The History of the French Language (Paper Fr. 13 of the MML Tripos)
Paper 14: The History of the Russian language (Paper Ru. 9 of the MML Tripos)
Paper 15: The History and Structure of Modern Greek (Paper Gr. 7 of the MML Tripos)
Paper 16: The Romance Languages (Paper CS 1 of the MML Tripos)
Paper 17: The Slavonic Languages (Paper CS 3 of the MML Tripos)
Paper 20: Celtic Philology (Paper 12 of Part 2 of the Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic Tripos)
Paper 21: Greek from Mycenae to Homer (Paper E2 of Part 2 of the Classical Tripos - topics change from year to year - check with the Faculty of Classics)
Paper 22: Latin and the Greek Language (Paper E3 of Part 2 of the Classical Tripos - topics change from year to year - check with the Faculty of Classics)
Paper 23: Germanic Philology (Paper 11 of the Anglo-Saxon, Norse, and Celtic Tripos)
Paper 24: Experimental Psychology (Paper from Part IB of the Natural Sciences Tripos) NUMBERS FOR THIS PAPER ARE LIMITED - If you want to take this paper you should apply as early as possible using the form available here (PDF 40 KB) or from Department of Linguistics Office. You should also read the information on background mathematics needed for the course (PDF 920KB).
The application form and mathematics information are in PDF format. If your computer does not automatically open PDFs you will need to install a reader. Click here to download Adobe Acrobat Reader

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• Linguistics Tripos
• Linguistics within the Modern and Medieval Languages Tripos
• Linguistics within other Triposes

Further study

Undergraduates in their final year who are studying Linguistics or a related subject and who are interested in pursuing the field further may like to consider the one-year MPhil in Linguistics. Admission direct to PhD study is also possible, although the structuring of grants offered by the British Academy for home and EU students is now strongly biased in favour of a one-year postgraduate course as a precursor to PhD study.

Those interested in applying for further study should discuss their plans with a member of the Department as early as possible in their final year, and preferably not later than Christmas. They should consult the Application Schedule.

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