Simon Fraser University has one of the largest and most diverse linguistics programs in Canada. The following are just some of the topics you can study in our courses:

  • How speech sounds are produced in our vocal tracts
  • Formal properties of sound systems and grammatical structures
  • History of languages
  • Ways in which language conveys meaning and is used in social interactions
  • How languages are learned by children and adults
  • Indigenous languages of Canada  

Linguistics graduates may work as ESL teachers, speech language assistants, and in information technology. With further education, a student can become an audiologist or a speech therapist/pathologist. A student can also continue graduate study in linguistics to become a professional linguist and have a career in education and academia.

The Department of Linguistics offers a variety of undergraduate programs including:

Joint Majors:

Certificate Programs:

For those wishing to complete degree requirements outside of linguistics but are interested in language and linguistics, the general interest courses listed below have no prerequisites. Please see the Course Outlines database for further information.

LING 100-3 Communication and Language

LING 111-3 Wonder of Words

LING 160-3 Language, Culture, and Society

LING 190-3 The Science of Speech

LING 200-3 - Foundations of English Grammar

LING 220-3 Introduction to Linguistics

LING 250-4 Computational Text Analysis

LING 280-3 - Linguistics in the Real World