Overview of Languages and Linguistics

The Languages (exclusive of French) and Linguistics are not associated with a specific degree, but may be taken to complement any program of study or to complete the Language Citation. (Download Application form here - WORD)

Overview of Linguistics

Linguistics is the scientific study of human language. It encompasses theories of linguistic structure in all domains: speech sounds (phonetics and phonology), words (morphology), sentences (syntax), meaning (semantics and pragmatics), and texts or conversations (discourse). Subfields of linguistics include sociolinguistics (language variation according to region, gender, class, etc., as well as the social functions of language); psycholinguistics (language acquisition and processing, and language disorders); historical linguistics (language change across time); and applied linguistics (e.g. second language learning, clinical linguistics).

The Major Program in Linguistics is designed to help students prepare for entry into professional programs in areas with a significant language component, such as speech-language pathology, education, and language teaching. Students with a particular interest in psycholinguistics can enrol in the Specialist Program in Psycholinguistics, which also provides the best preparation for entry into a graduate program in speech-language pathology. The Specialist Program in Linguistics is designed for students who are interested in a more intensive study of linguistics and for students who are interested in theoretical linguistics.

Overview of Languages

Current offerings in languages include Arabic, Hindi, Japanese, Latin, Mandarin, Sanskrit, Spanish and Tamil. Registration in all language courses is subject to the approval of the instructor. Students will be assessed, in a manner to be determined by the instructor, at the beginning of the course. Students whose level of proficiency in the language is inappropriate for the level of the course will not be approved for enrolment. Students’ status will be listed as “interim” (INT) until they are approved (APP) for enrolment by their instructors.

For information about Mandarin, contact Prof. Helen Wu at helenxu@utsc.utoronto.ca. For information about Spanish and other LGG courses, contact Prof. Tamara Al-Kasey at talkasey@utsc.utoronto.ca. For information on Linguistics, contact Prof. Ron Smyth at smyth@utsc.utoronto.ca.

For French, please visit the French page by clicking here

Spanish LGGA30, Arabic LGGA40, Sanskrit LGGA54, Hindi LGGA70, Japanese LGGA80 and Tamil LGGA74 are designed for students who have no prior study of the language in question. To enroll, you must complete the following steps:

1. Request the course on ROSI. Your status will be INT. You will not be officially enrolled until you complete the remaining steps (below). If you are on a waitlist, you must also complete these steps to be admitted to the course.

2. Download the student questionnaire (below) for your language, indicating that you have no prior study of the language. Sign the form and turn it into the Language Coordinator, Tamara Al-Kasey, HW425 or via email to language-coordinator@utsc.utoronto.ca by May 1, for summer term, September 1 for fall term and December 15 for winter term.
If you have prior language experience, you must detail this on the questionnaire. See below under "Students with prior language experience”

3. Check your status on ROSI. Your course status on ROSI should be changed from interm (INT) to approved within one week of turning in your completed questionnaire.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

For Spanish students with prior experience

For Spanish courses LGGA31, LGGB32, LGGB33, LGGC34 and LGGC35, students must meet the prerequisites for the course to enroll

OR

If this is your first Spanish course at U of T (but you have prior Spanish experience) you must download the student questionnaire (below), detail your prior language study, then follow the link to the placement exam and record your score on the questionnaire.

The placement exam is MANDATORY for students with prior experience
Students must register in the course appropriate to their level of language skill, based on the results of a placement test. Sign the questionnaire and turn it into the Language Coordinator, Tamara Al-Kasey, Room H425 by May 1 for summer term, September 1 for fall term and December 15 for winter term.

Students whose level of proficiency in the language is considered unsuitable for the course will not be permitted to take the course. Students are not permitted to take these courses in an incorrect sequence (for example, a B-level course after a C-level course). Email the language coordinator if you have questions about your placement: language-coordinator@utsc.utoronto.ca

For Arabic, Sanskrit, Hindi or Tamil students with prior experience

For all language courses beyond the first A-level, students must have the prerequisite for the course or an assessment by the instructor of the student’s level of proficiency in the language before or during the first week of classes. Be sure that your contact information is correct so that we can update you regarding the placement assessment.

Students whose level of proficiency in the language is considered unsuitable for the course will not be permitted to take the course. Students are not permitted to take these courses in an incorrect sequence (for example, a B-level course after a C-level course). Email the language coordinator if you have questions about your placement: language-coordinator@utsc.utoronto.ca

For students of Mandarin (Chinese)

LGGA60H3 and LGGA61H3 are for students with no prior exposure to any Chinese dialect, neither through formal classes nor informal “heritage” experience.

LGGA61H3, LGGB60H3, LGGB61H3, LGGB62H3, LGGB63H3, LGGB66H3, LGGB67H3, LGGC60H3, LGGC61H3, LGGC66H3 and LGGC67H3 require placement and/or prerequisites.
For new students course enrolment is based on an assessment by the instructor of the student's level of proficiency in the language during or before the first week of classes. Students may select these courses but will not be officially enrolled until approved (normally during the first week of classes).

Students whose level of proficiency in the language is considered unsuitable for the course will not be permitted to take the course. Students are not permitted to take these courses in an incorrect sequence (for example, a B-level course after a C-level course. If you have questions about your placement go to the Mandarin bulletin board below. The questionnaire must be submitted by May 1, for summer term, September 1 for fall term and December 15 for winter term.

Placement Exams and Questionnaires:

Please send your completed Arabic, Hindi, Japanese, Sanskrit, Spanish and Tamil questionnaires to language-coordinator@utsc.utoronto.ca

Arabic Questionnaire PDF WORD
Placement test will occur during or before the first week of classes.

Hindi Questionnaire PDF WORD
Placement test will occur during or before the first week of classes.

Japanese Questionnaire WORD
Placement test will occur during the first day of classes.

Sanskrit Questionnaire WORD

Spanish Questionnaire PDF WORD
      Students with previous study of Spanish must take the Spanish       Placement test:PLACEMENT EXAM (password: W2008)

Tamil Questionnaire PDF

Chinese Mandarin Questionnaire WORD
Please send your completed Chinese Mandarin questionnaire to: mandarin-chinese-placement@utsc.utoronto.ca
Please send all your questions REGARDING MANDARIN CHINESE ONLY to the Bulletin Board on http://link.library.utoronto.ca/easic
Username: question
Password: answer