English Linguistics

The Master's degree program in English Language and Linguistics at the University of Tübingen offers students an in-depth understanding of the structure, use, and evolution of the English language. This comprehensive program is designed to equip students with advanced theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for scholarly research, language analysis, and applied linguistics. Throughout the course, students explore a wide range of linguistic disciplines, including phonetics, phonology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics, and discourse analysis, focusing specifically on the English language in its various dialects and usage contexts. The program also emphasizes aspects of language history, language variation, language change, and sociolinguistics, providing a holistic perspective on language functioning in society.

Students have the opportunity to engage with contemporary issues in linguistics, such as language contact, multilingualism, and digital communication, preparing them for careers in academia, education, publishing, translation, or language consulting. The curriculum is structured to include both coursework and independent research, culminating in a master's thesis that allows students to investigate a specialized area of interest in great detail. The program also encourages interdisciplinary approaches, integrating insights from cognitive science, anthropology, and computer science to offer a rounded understanding of language phenomena.

The University of Tübingen's vibrant academic community, experienced faculty, and extensive research resources provide an ideal environment for academic growth and professional development. The program is taught in English and attracts students from diverse linguistic backgrounds, fostering a dynamic and international learning atmosphere. Graduates of this program will be well-prepared to contribute to linguistic research, teach at various educational levels, or pursue doctoral studies. The Master's in English Language and Linguistics at Tübingen is committed to fostering critical thinking, analytical skills, and linguistic expertise, making it an excellent choice for anyone passionate about the English language and its myriad of forms and functions across different contexts and communities.

The core teaching of the M.A. program consists of the modules Descriptive Linguistics, Linguistic Methodology, Applied Linguistics, and Theoretical Linguistics. Students are introduced to current theoretical and empirical issues in class and deepen their knowledge in workgroups. The module Interdisciplinary Extensions adds expertise in forms of courses taken in other departments with which English Linguistics collaborates. In the module Practice, students can do a non-academic internship or get experience in academic teaching. Students benefit from the support of a structured program. For example, M.A. theses are written in three steps: students prepare and present their research question in the module Research I; they conduct an empirical study in the module Research II; they interpret and write up their results in the module Thesis and Exam.

Linguistic departments in Tübingen co-operate in Collaborative Research Centers (Sonderforschungsbereiche) since the 1990s. The current Collaborative Research Center 833 on the construction of meaning investigates how meaning arises in context, during linguistic processing, how it develops over time and how it varies across languages. The Research Training Group 1808 (DFG Graduiertenkolleg) on the topic of ambiguity in production and perception, offers interdisciplinary dissertation projects in linguistics, literary studies, psychology, law, theology, and rhetoric.