Undergraduate Overview
Understand the tool you use most
Language is something you use every day. Linguistics helps you understand how it actually works. At the University at Buffalo, you study language from multiple angles, how sounds, words and meanings combine, and how language connects to culture, technology and human behavior. You will build practical skills in analysis, problem solving and communication that apply across many fields, from AI to education to public service.
At UB, linguistics is a science. You won't just learn what the rules of language are, you'll learn how to uncover them. That means working with real data, testing hypotheses, and building the kind of analytical thinking that transfers across fields.
At UB, you will:
- Learn in small, discussion-based classes with direct access to faculty
- Study language across scientific, social and cultural perspectives
- Build skills in analysis, research and clear communication
- Explore connections to AI, education, psychology and global studies
- Join a community of students interested in language, culture and problem-solving
UB offers flexible pathways so you can shape your studies around your interests.
Majors
Concentrations include:
Concentrations include:
Minors
Additional language study
- Arabic
- Hindi-Urdu
- Modern Greek
- Polish
- Russian
Linguistics teaches you how to analyze language as a system and understand how it works in real life.
You will explore questions like:
- How do children learn language so quickly?
- Why do some sentence structures feel natural and others do not?
- How is meaning shaped by context?
- How does language connect to identity and culture?
- How do computers process human language?
Along the way, you will build skills in:
- Analytical thinking and pattern recognition
- Research and data analysis
- Problem solving
- Clear writing and communication
You will have opportunities to apply what you learn beyond the classroom.
- Study abroad: Learn a language through immersion
- Internships: Work as a language data scientist in natural processing companies, or with schools and community organizations like the International Institute of Buffalo or Literacy Volunteers
- Student organizations: Connect with peers through language and culture-focused groups
These experiences help you build confidence, practical skills and professional connections.
UB linguistics faculty are active researchers and dedicated teachers who bring global expertise into the classroom.
They:
- Conduct research on a number of languages, including lesser-studied and endangered languages
- Support language documentation and preservation efforts
- Learn how to leverage state-of-the-art machine learning technology in research and development of new tools and resources
You will learn in small classes with faculty who are invested in your growth and success.
If you are curious about language, communication and how people and technology connect, linguistics at UB gives you a strong place to start.
