Study Portal

Overview

Specialised courses in all subtopics of linguistics, especially syntax, semantics, morphology, prosody research, typology and universals of language research. There will also be a special focus on different fields of computer linguistics, e.g. parsing and tagging processes, corpus analysing techniques, etc.

• Start: Winter semester only
• Application: Restricted.
• Taught in: German
• 2-subject programme: 2. subject required - table of combinations

Details

Theoretical, computational, and psycholinguistics

Linguistics is a science in which diverse and extremely varying academic interests can be realised. Here is a small selection of the subjects we deal with in Bochum:

Theoretical linguistics: here things work pretty much like in other sciences, for example, when it comes to observing astronomical objects or chemical reactions. Our objects of observation are linguistic expressions. We analyse their structure and then develop models of language and language laws. Depending on the objective, this is done using various examination parameters such as pronunciation, word order, syntax, the significance of individual word elements, etc.

Computational linguistics: on the one hand it supports theoretical linguistics, for example, through statistical methods, as it lets us examine especially extensive linguistic data extremely accurately. So specific linguistic factors in language databases containing a few hundred million words can be analysed automatically. Computational linguistics is better known from its language technology side, as used in the search algorithms of Google, for example, or in speech recognition technology.

Psycholinguistics investigates language in terms of psychological processes: what goes in people when they listen, read, speak, and write comments? How is it, for example, that as listeners we can often finish the sentences of our interlocutors before we have heard them in full? Psycho-linguists study the phenomena of language processing over the entire life span, from the first acquisition of language skills in infancy to changes in linguistic skills in old age. In the context of clinical linguistics, psycholinguistics also deals with speech and language disorders in children and adults.

Fields of work

The employment market for linguists is just as varied as the areas of specialisation in the degree. Of course, a degree in linguistics can be followed by an academic career at the university. In addition, on the one hand, the linguistics degree prepares students directly for a variety of occupations. On the other, valuable “soft skills”, working techniques, and problem solving strategies are taught, which are required in all areas. Typical careers for graduates are in the

• IT sector (for example, software localisation)
• research and development in various sectors
• research and teaching at the university
• communications and language consulting, human resources
• (foreign) language teaching and development of teaching materials
• journalism, publishing
• speech therapy

Linguistics in Bochum

Linguistics can be studied in Bochum without course specialisation or specialising in computational linguistics. Apart from this formal choice of specialisation, students can develop their own individual areas of interest. According to the chairs at our institute, for example, several areas of psycholinguistics and theoretical linguistics can be studied more intensively.

The opportunity to combine the specialist area of computational linguistics with another degree subject is unique throughout Germany.

The courses have a manageable number of participants and are mostly held in our own seminar rooms. Tutoring and mentoring programmes contribute to the personal atmosphere.

Application

General requirement: You need at least a high school degree to study this programme. For admission and successful studies a high standard of German language skills is required.

This programme is restricted, application at the University online portal.

• Please use the online application.
• International Students: Please read the application informationen of our International Office.

• Online admission times: Winter semester: from june up to july 15th.
• General admission information

Student Counseling

Annelie von Könemann B.A. (Studienfachberatung)
Building GB, Room 3/149
Tel.: +49 234/32 -28114
E-Mail: Annelie von Könemann B.A.
Office hour: n.V.
Homepage Student Counseling

Jun.-Prof. Dr. Stefanie Dipper
Building GB, Room 3/155
Tel.: +49 234/32 -25112
E-Mail: Stefanie Dipper
Office hour: n.V.
Homepage Student Counseling

Studienbüro Linguistik
Building GB, Room 3/157
Tel.: +49 234/32 -22467
E-Mail: Studienbüro Linguistik
Office hour: Mo-Do 10-16 h, Fr 12-14 h
Homepage Student Counseling

Fachschaft Linguistik (Beratung durch Studierende)
Building GB, Room 3/153
Tel.: +49 234/32 -25115
E-Mail: Fachschaft Linguistik
Office hour: Di 12-16 h, Fr 12-14 h
Homepage Student´s representatives