Descriptive Linguistics
In the Descriptive Linguistics track, students gain expertise in linguistic data acquisition methods, including field research, corpus analysis, and statistical processing of large datasets. They develop foundational programming skills tailored to linguistic data processing, enabling them to work with digital tools for language analysis.
Graduates of the MA program are well-versed in language structures and patterns, as well as their geographical and genealogical distribution. They can analyze new linguistic data from a typological perspective, identify cross-linguistic patterns, and write descriptive accounts of languages, language families, and linguistic areas based on both fieldwork and published sources.
They are trained in structuring, monitoring, and documenting linguistic fieldwork, including data collection, storage, and metadata management, while adhering to ethical research standards.
Graduates are well-prepared to contribute to research projects, engage in academic publishing, and pursue a Ph.D. in linguistics at the university level.
Helpful documents like sample curricula and the annex to the study regulations can be found in the download section.
Language of instruction
German or English. As soon as there is a student who does not speak German, the course will be held in English.
Regulations
In the focus area Descriptive Linguistics (Deskriptive Linguistik) you have to choose modules according to the following rules:
- all compulsory modules (P-Module) from the module group "Methodology" (Methodologie), which are 30 ECTS credits in total
- at least 12 ECTS credits from the module group "Languages and Structures" (Sprachen und Strukturen)
- at least 30 ECTS credits from the module group "Descriptive Linguistics" (Deskriptive Linguistik)
- at least 18 additional ECTS credits of free choice from within the program
- Master thesis (30 ECTS credits)
Core-elective modules
| Module | Nr. | ECTS |
|---|---|---|
| Field Methods: Elicitation Techniques | 06SM272-513 | 6 |
| Grammar Writing | 06SM272-514 | 6 |
| Linguistic Analysis and Annotation - Practical Application | 06SM272-515 | 6 |
| Written Paper in Typological and Documentary Linguistics | 06SM272-516 | 6 |
| Structures in Language Families and Areas | 06SM272-517 | 6 |
| Typologies of Linguistic Structures | 06SM272-518 | 6 |
Organizational unit
The modules for this focus area are offered by the Institute for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language Evolution.