Overview

Linguistics at USM aims to provide an excellent undergraduate education focused on the nature, organization, acquisition, and origins of human natural language. The program incorporates the general linguistics major and two concentrations: General Linguistics, ASL/English Interpreting, & Speech and Language Science.

The General Linguistics major is intended for students who are looking for a rigorous liberal arts major with rich connections to a variety of science, humanities, and arts disciplines. This track is also appropriate for students who intend to do graduate study in linguistics or related disciplines such as cognitive science, computational linguistics, law, or education, among others.

For students with an interest in American Sign Language or interpreting, we have in place a four-year interpreter training program, including courses in ASL and in interpreting theory and process. Launched in 1998 with support from the Maine Dept. of Education, these offerings are designed to serve undergraduate students at USM as well as working interpreters seeking to advance their skills. The program is directed by Dr. Judy Kegl.

Students interested in Speech-Language Science will find that linguistics provides an excellent foundation for their professional training. First, linguistics will offer a broad understanding of how normal language works and how it varies both within and across human communities. Second, linguistics has proven to be an excellent base from which to apply for graduate school admission in speech-language pathology or audiology.

The USM Linguistics Department also offers a minor in Linguistics and a minor in Deaf Studies.

Graduates of the program have been admitted to masters or doctoral programs at Boston University, McGill University (Montreal), Syracuse University, UCLA, University of Massachusetts (Amherst), and Vanderbilt University, among others.