The Linguistics programme offers basic training in contemporary theories of language, and addresses such issues as the universal properties of natural language and the human mind, language acquisition in different modes and modalities, and language in different contexts of use. Students are encouraged to apply linguistic theories to the investigation of a wide variety of languages, including endangered languages, minority languages and sign languages. They will gain an appreciation of linguistics as an interdisciplinary field which crosses the traditional boundary between the arts and the humanities, drawing ideas and tools from various disciplines of cognitive science. At the practical level, linguistics training raises students’ bilingual and multilingual awareness and sharpens their sensitivity towards the complexity of human language. Such training builds the linguistic resources necessary for students’ careers and postgraduate study, and enables them to make informed judgments about the language issues of their own speech community. Students are offered an option to participate in a dual degree programme with Peking University, studying for two years in each campus. Upon successful completion of graduation requirements at both universities, students will be awarded the Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics by CUHK and the Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language by Peking University. Students will not only benefit from the strengths of the two programmes, enriching their training in linguistics, but also widen their horizons through immersing in a different learning environment, enhancing their competitive edge for their further studies and career development. Students are also provided with possibilities to double major in Linguistics and Translation or Linguistics and Psychology.

The Linguistics programme at CUHK includes the following areas of study.

1. Foundation and language awareness training:
   • Invitation to Linguistics, Phonetics I, Phonology I, Syntax I, Semantics, Exploring Grammar (Mandarin, Cantonese and English), and Modern Languages.
     
     
2. Core, applied and interdisciplinary electives:
   • Core Linguistics: Morphology, Phonetics II, Phonology II, Syntax II, Comparative Grammar, Language Survey in the Field, Sign Linguistics I: Phonetics and Phonology, and Sign Linguistics II: Morphology, Syntax, Semantics, and Special Topics in Linguistics.
   • Language and Mind: First Language Acquisition, Second Language Acquisition, Language Acquisition of Deaf Children, Bilingualism, Bilingual Acquisition,  Psycholinguistics, Neurolinguistics and Special Topics in Language and Mind.
   • Language and Culture, and Linguistic Applications: Sociolinguistics, Language Disorders, Linguistics and Information Technology, Introduction to Sign Language and Bimodal Bilingualism, Sign Language in Education, Introduction to Sign Language Interpreting, and Special Topics in Applied Linguistics.
     
     
3. Research capability development:
   • Linguistic Argumentation I and II, Quantitative Methods for Linguistics, Research Practicum I and II, and Research Project I and II.
     

Upon completing the programme, students will have:

1. attained a body of knowledge about theories of language and language acquisition as well as the associated methods of analysis;
2. attained a body of knowledge about the relationship between theoretical linguistics and linguistics applied to other disciplinary studies;
3. attained a sharpened awareness of the languages used in the local community through their abilities in analysing, primarily but not exclusively, English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, in particular how these languages are structured and acquired as a linguistic system, and how they function socio-linguistically in the local community, the region and the world;
4. attained analytical and critical thinking capabilities and a sufficient set of research skills for work and postgraduate study;
5. attained high proficiency in English, Cantonese and written Chinese for the purpose of effective communication in academic discourse and the professional workplace, and at least functional proficiency in Putonghua;
6. developed an appreciation and knowledge of Modern Languages for intercultural communication; and
7. gained regional and/or international experience, nurturing their personal, intellectual and professional acumen.

Remarks:
For details of the undergraduate curriculum, please click here.

HK$ 44,500