Italian and Linguistics, MA (Hons)

Course summary

As one of Europe's most creative and diverse civilisations, Italy has a fascinating and influential history. This flexible programme gives you the opportunity to learn Italian while developing your social scientific understanding of language. Italian and Linguistics make an excellent joint honours choice by combining the study of:

• a modern language in its cultural context

• the expression and creation of meaning

Linguistics courses of particular relevance to language students cover:

• the speech sounds of the world's languages

• variation in the languages of the world

• the structure and history of world languages

Lots of our graduates started as complete beginners in Italian. ItalianStudy Italian with us, and you will learn the language in the context of Italian culture.Courses cover some of the most famous and influential works of literature, art and cinema. No previous knowledge of Italian is needed. Intensive language tuition, including a year spent studying or working in Italy, will develop your ability to read, write and speak the language to a high standard with advanced translation skills. LinguisticsLinguistics examines how language works, describing how sounds, words, sentences and conversations combine to express and create meaning. You will also study:

• the uses of language in everyday life

• the ways in which it varies across society and evolves over time

• how it is mastered by children

As you progress through the programme, you will have the opportunity to formulate and test scientific hypotheses about linguistic phenomena using specialist linguistics and phonetics equipment. Why EdinburghFrom our own Italian Society to the Italian Cultural Institute, you will find many places in Edinburgh to develop your interest in Italian culture. Italian has been taught here since 1919, and has been part of our tradition for many years, as far back as the 18th century.Studying over four years enables you to choose courses, including from other disciplines, that match your own interests, expertise and employability needs. We are unique in Scotland in offering students a full academic year abroad within the four-year honours programme, regardless of whether you spend the year studying or working.

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