Berkeley's Department of Linguistics

Berkeley’s Department of Linguistics at the University of California specializes in studying human language—its structure, meaning, and use across different languages and cultures. The department conducts research on language form (sounds and grammar), language acquisition, and how language varies and changes over time. It aims to understand the cognitive and social aspects of language, often combining theoretical insights with practical applications like language preservation and technology development. Faculty and students collaborate to explore diverse linguistic phenomena, advancing our understanding of one of the most fundamental aspects of human communication.