Linguistics, Master 1 subject

Linguistics

... looks into questions such as ...

How does language work?
How do we learn languages?
Which differences are there between the languages of the world?
Which similarities do they share?
How can computers process natural language?

„
In the field of linguistics, there’s a lot to be discovered! Everyone who is in the least interested in language will find something to suit his or her taste here.
“

Malte Gerhardt, Bachelor's degree read more ...
„
What I enjoy most about linguistics is working out and framing hypotheses regarding linguistic phenomena.
“

Judith Fischer, Bachelor's degree read more ...

Malte Gerhardt is a third-year student of Linguistics. He is pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree, 2-subject programme. Malte’s second subject is German Studies.

What made you choose this degree programme?

I took the RUB’s Borakel test and was recommended this degree programme. I have always found linguistic as a discipline interesting. In addition, I visited a lecture in recommended computational linguistics one day during my A-level phase.

In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?

With regard how comprehensive and computer-focused the subject truly is and with regard to computational linguistics, my expectations were fully met. You learn a programming language (Python) via the linguistic approach and learn how to use it for the purpose of researching language (possibly in your later professional life). Moreover, the degree programme in linguistics with focus on computational linguistics may be completed within five semesters in the best-case scenario (laughs). The only negative aspects have been the (actually useful) tutorials that complemented the programme in the first, second and third semester. They added to the number of semester hours, and the tutorial also frequently collided with the second subject or with jobbing.

Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?

Writing programmes, processing languages and extracting data thereof (this is an entirely different field than in computer science), as well as studying languages (our degree programme’s entailed almost everything, from languages of the Native Americans to Russian) from different perspectives.

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

Due to blocking, I had to attend an introductory lecture in the first semester that in fact amounted to four semester hours and covered all fields of linguistics whilst, at the same time, attending a German Studies lecture – and had to pass both.

What would you like to become after completing your degree?

Computational linguistics. Even though this job description does not exist, I would like to embark on this career, perhaps working in the field of voice recognition or machine translation. The master plan would be to move to the US and work with Google (laughs).

Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?

Give it a try! In the field of linguistics, there’s a lot to be discovered! Everyone who is in the least interested in language will find something suitable in clinical linguistic, psycholinguistics, general linguistics or computational linguistics. And don’t lose your nerve if everything seems too big in the first semester – the uni is actually rather small, the Linguistics Department offers dozens of interesting courses, and you can get through the degree programme very quickly.

Judith Fischer is a first-year student of Linguistics. She is pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree, 2-subject programme. Judith’s other discipline is German Studies.

What made you choose this degree programme?

I was fascinated by the prospect of dealing with language on a scientific level. I had, moreover, heard that you’ll get an insight into many individual languages.

In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?

Language is indeed discussed on a scientific and systematic level, and this approach has exceeded all my expectations in the best possible way. The idea that you’ll get an insight into many languages is not quite correct: you mustn’t expect it to be like a language course for numerous languages. Many different languages systems are studied as examples, though.

Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?

Working out and framing hypotheses regarding linguistic phenomena.

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

Figuring out how to write academic texts in the first homework assignments (that count towards the exam grade).

What would you like to become after completing your degree?

At present, I am toying with the idea of specialising in computational linguistics, which deals with the way how natural language is processed by computer software. There are many possibilities to use innovations in this field to facilitate the daily life of disabled people. This is the field that interests me most.

Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?

It is crucial to attend all lectures and seminars and, most importantly, the tutorials. This is how you can best learn the basic principles and, consequently, pass the exams easily and without unnecessary stress. It is also very important to discuss possible questions (preferably with the tutors). The tutors are always prepared to answer questions and are a great help.

Degree programmes

Profile

Degree:	Master of Arts
Start:	Winter- and summer semester
Duration:	4 semesters
Classroom language:	German

Detailed information for international applicants

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What's it all about?

This degree programme is unique, because ...

many research objects may be grasped only through a combination of computational linguistics processes, psycholinguistic experiments and models of theoretical linguistics.

It provides the opportunity to specialise in the following fields

Computational Linguistics
Theoretical Linguistics

Course schedule

Module handbook

Who is suited?

Those who wish to enrol in this degree programme,

have:

his first degree in a linguistic discipline with distinctly formal focus

enjoy:

empirically grounded research methods

struggle through:

statistical models and tests

This degree programme is suited for graduates in the following subjects

Linguistics
related subjects with distinctly formal focus

Graduates from this degree programme frequently work

in research and academia
in the IT industry
as speech therapists
as language teachers
in the publishing industry

And else?

Where do I find help?

Academic advisory office

Prof. Dr. Stefanie Dipper
Building, Room: GB 3/155
Phone: +49 (0)234 / 32-28114
Email: beratung@linguistics.rub.de
Website academic advisory office

Contact students

Fachschaft Linguistik
Email: fachschaft@linguistics.rub.de
Website Fachschaft

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Financing your studies

Rent, food, social insurance – all these and more need to be paid for during your studies. But where will the money come from?

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Linguistics

... looks into questions such as ...

What made you choose this degree programme?

In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?

Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

What would you like to become after completing your degree?

Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?

What made you choose this degree programme?

In which respect have or haven’t your expectations been fulfilled?

Which aspect of your degree programme do you enjoy most?

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

What would you like to become after completing your degree?

Which advice would you like to give to students who consider enrolling in this degree programme?

Degree programmes