Professor Claire Halpert teaching in a linguistics class

Institute of Linguistics

We explore the human capacity for language. We strive to expand understanding of this domain and to foster learning and research that applies this understanding to the betterment of speech communities.

Professor Brian Reese, teaching linguistics class

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Recent News

Study Linguistics in Spring 2023

The Institute of Linguistics at UMN is offering three courses without prerequisites in Spring 2023. Coursework in Linguistics can enrich your study of languages, computer…

Picture of Daniel Haataja speaking with a microphone

University of Minnesota renews partnership with University of Iceland

Daniel Haataja spent the 1988-89 academic year in Iceland as a Val Björnson exchange student, which he credits with inspiring his interest in languages. He went on to earn his…

Picture of Georgette McLeod, left, with Percy Henry and his wife, Mabel.

At 95, this community's last fluent Hän speaker hopes to pass on as much as he can

"We have to pick up and carry this language on because if it's gone, it's gone forever," said Mskwaankwad Rice, a Linguistics PhD student.

Colloquium Fall 2022 Series

The Colloquium series offers weekly events most Fridays in the afternoons. Subscribe to our mailing list for colloquium announcements and links to the events.

Ojibwe Language Revitalization Focus of New NSF/NEH Grant

A team of researchers in Linguistics and American Indian Studies have been awarded an NSF/NEH Dynamic Language Infrastructure grant for their project, “Developing Indigenous…