Understand the Nature of Language with a Linguistics Degree Program

If you enjoy foreign cultures and languages, why settle for learning just one or two languages in the course of your college education? With online education, you can open up the entire world of languages through the study of linguistics.
Linguistics is an examination of language: its structure, formation, evolution, and impact on culture. The study of linguistics, therefore, can be seen as a key to opening up a greater understanding of the world. It facilitates learning specific languages for a literal understanding of foreign speech and literature, but more broadly, it also provides a clue to some of the cultural differences that can either divide the world or make it a more fascinating place.

Online Degree Programs Bring the World to Your Doorstep

Online degree programs potentially play a special role in the study of linguistics. Linguistics can be an excellent complement to existing degrees, or part of the pursuit of a life-long interest in languages. Online education can help make this convenient in a number of ways:

• Online education courses can be structured around your existing work schedule.
• Since you can pursue e-learning from home, you can balance it with other obligations, such as taking care of home and family.
• Online degrees eliminate the cost and hassle of commuting to and from school.
• Because linguistics degrees are highly specialized, they are not available in all parts of the country--except via online degree programs.

Practical Applications of an Online Degree in Linguistics

While linguistics has an appeal from the standpoint of pure academic exploration, it also offers practical applications. Here are some of the careers for which a degree in linguistics may be useful:

• Speech Pathology: helping people overcome developmental issues with language.
• Translation: applies to business, publishing, and diplomacy.
• Teaching English as a Second Language: as immigration increases, so does demand for this ability.

Source:
SUNY Oswego

Richard Barrington is a freelance writer and novelist who previously spent over twenty years as an investment industry executive.