Current Students
Linguistics Society
The Linguistics Society is an exciting venue that brings together students from a variety of programs to talk linguistics in a relaxed atmosphere. Events include movies, debates, day trips, guest speakers, and more! The Club is open to minors and non-minors alike.
You can follow the Linguistics Society's activities on RamConnect. For questions about the Linguistics Society (linguistics club), contact the advisor, Dr. Josh Raclaw.
Student Spotlight
Some testimonials from current and past students:
Ariana Ciamaricone, BSEd in English
Being an English Education: Literature major, I am constantly asked how linguistics
will help me teach one day. It gives me a deeper understanding of my English Language
Learners (ELLs), and it provides me with an insight into African American Vernacular
English (AAVE). These might seem like burdens to traditional English teachers, but
to me, they present exciting new ways to celebrate my students. I want my future students
to view language as a tool, and they're prior knowledge of another language is just
another tool in their tool belt. Linguistics showed me that language can be so much
more than a means of communication. It can shape how we view the world around us.
If it weren't for this minor, I would not have grown as much as I have over these
past three years. I have challenged myself to comprehend topics that go against the
basics of my major. I have forced myself to dive into complicated texts for the sake
of an essay, and I have learned how to take pride in my work. This minor has shown
me a new perspective on my major and my life.
Kelsey Czachor, BSEd in English
As an English Literature Secondary Education major, language is an integral part of
how I understand the materials that I will be teaching. Besides that, I have been
interested in the way language works since reading The Lord of the Rings in middle
school. Tolkien's languages and work as a linguist piqued my curiosity and made me
want to be an etymologist. When I got to West Chester and saw that we had a linguistics
minor program, I jumped on the chance to add it to my major, even though it would
keep me in school for more than four years. I have absolutely not regretted that decision.
I've loved learning about language and through West Chester's programs, I've become
increasingly interested in sociolinguistics in addition to etymology and historical
linguistics. I cannot wait to continue to learn about different aspects of linguistics
through the classes I will take in the future here at WCU!
Caitlin Seaman, BA in Anthropology
Linguistics is concerned with the scientific study of language and communication.
A minor in Linguistics benefited my studies by complementing the skills of my major
of anthropology. My coursework explores into the nature of language variation, language
change over time, how language is processed and stored in the brain, and how it is
acquired by young children. Language seems to shape one's view and thoughts of the
world. Language learning encompasses so much more than mere memorization and pronunciation,
it teaches meaning.
Emily Zborowski, BA in Communication Sciences and Disorders (Class 2016)
Adding a minor in linguistics enriched my time at West Chester University not only academically but socially as well. I learned an entirely new subject and was able to connect my knowledge back to my Communication Sciences and Disorders Major. I also learned about the role linguistics plays throughout culture and the impact language and communication has on society. Overall, the minor helped to enrich my time at West Chester University by giving me a more well-rounded outlook on the many functions of language and communication. As a future Speech Language Pathologist the experiences and knowledge I gained throughout the minor will help me to be a more culturally competent and educated clinician.