Linguistics is the study of human language. It aims not merely to describe particular languages, but to characterize and account for the nature of language and for the human ability to learn and use it.
Linguists address the phenomenon of language from a variety of perspectives.
Some linguists are concerned with computational implementations of linguistic theory for both practical and theoretical purposes. The study of language thus contributes vitally to our understanding of human society, human culture, and human minds. The interdepartmental Minor in Linguistics is sponsored by the departments of English, Modern Languages, Philosophy and Psychology and the Language Technologies Institute. The requirements for the Minor consist of 6 courses. Of the six, three must be selected from the four core courses, which give all students a basic introduction to linguistics, and some more in-depth exposure to both structural and functional approaches to language.