Descriptive Linguistics

Students are made familiar with methods of linguistic data acquisition (e.g. field research) and acquire knowledge in the automatic processing and statistical analysis of large corpora and databases. They learn basic programming skills with a focus on linguistic data processing.

Graduates of the MA program are familiar with language structures and patterns and their geographical and genealogical distribution, and are able to put new findings in typological perspective. They are able to deduct general patterns from language data and are well equipped to write descriptive accounts of languages and languages families or areas, based on their personal experience and published sources.

Graduates know how to structure, monitor, and document descriptive linguistic fieldwork, including data collection, data storage and metadata management. They are familiar with standard ethical issues and procedures.

Graduates are prepared to participate in research projects and are able to read and write research papers in linguistics. Degree holders are qualified to join a PhD program on university level.