Linguistic Anthropology (test)
Linguistic Anthropology studies language as a form of social action. It looks at how language makes us who we are, and how we make language what it is. It considers language in the context of human evolution, social relationships, and cultural forms, and it explores the role of languages and ways of speaking in creating, sustaining, and undermining social divisions.
At Michigan, we have a long history of leading academic discourse in the field. In the late 1940s, linguistic anthropologist Kenneth L. Pike – responsible for the emic versus etic distinction – joined the department's faculty after earning his Ph.D. here. Today, our faculty work closely with both undergraduate and graduate students both in the classroom and on a wide range of research projects, like [example 1] and [example 2], providing unparalleled hands-on experience.
Students studying linguistic anthropology at Michigan will find themselves surrounded by a substantial four-field department, allowing for unimpeded opportunities to explore topics and utilize resources relating to sociocultural anthropology, biological anthropology, and anthropological archaeology. Additionally, there are several interdisciplinary and joint programs available through our partnerships with other departments, units, and schools.
