Linguistics and Sociology

Linguistics and sociology address the human world from perspectives that are more deeply connected than might initially be apparent. Language is not simply a tool for communication but a social phenomenon: it varies by region, class, gender, and context; it carries the marks of power and identity; and it is both shaped by social structures and shapes them in return. Sociology, the science of social life, examines these very structures, asking how societies are organised, how inequalities are maintained, and how collective life is produced through the interaction of individuals and institutions.

Together these disciplines give you an unusually complete set of tools for understanding how human social life works.

At Manchester this three-year full-time programme introduces you to the study of the unique human faculty of language alongside the investigation of social context and social structure. In linguistics you will explore the sounds and structure of languages across the globe, studying topics such as phonology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and the social and geographical variation of language. In sociology you will examine how social forces shape individual behaviour, how inequalities are produced and reproduced, and how human webs of connection and meaning are organised at different scales.

The two disciplines are taught in ways that allow you to see their connections as well as their distinctive methods and perspectives.

You will develop strong analytical skills, research competences in both quantitative and qualitative traditions, and the ability to construct well-evidenced arguments about language and social life.

Graduates move into careers in research, journalism, the civil service, education, language teaching, speech and language therapy (with further training), human resources, market research, and many other fields where the combination of linguistic and social scientific understanding is an asset. Many continue to postgraduate study in linguistics, sociology, or related fields.