Portuguese and Linguistics - MA (Hons)

The University of Edinburgh

One of the world's ten most widely spoken languages, Portuguese is estimated to have around 260 million speakers. From Brazil to Mozambique, the many countries where it is spoken have fascinatingly rich and varied cultures.This flexible programme gives you the opportunity to study Portuguese while developing your social scientific understanding of language. Beginners are very welcome.Portuguese and Linguistics make an excellent joint honours choice by combining the study of:* a modern language in its global cultural context* the expression and creation of meaningLinguistics 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**Portuguese**As a world-leading festival city, Edinburgh is a fantastic place to study a global language in its cultural context.Our programme is for learners with varying amounts of experience of Portuguese, including those who are just starting out many of our graduates started as complete beginners in the language.On this programme, you will have the opportunity to develop advanced spoken and written skills in Portuguese while gaining the broad cultural education valued by graduate employers.As well as intensive language training, you will be immersed in an extraordinary range of literature, film, music and arts from Portugal, Brazil and Portuguese-speaking (Lusophone) Africa, explored in its historical context.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, and you will spend Year 3 in a country where Portuguese is spoken.**Linguistics**Linguistics 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 language varies across society and evolves over time* how language is mastered by childrenAs you progress through the programme, you will have the opportunity to plan and test scientific hypotheses about linguistic phenomena using specialist linguistics and phonetics equipment.**How long it takes to complete this degree programme**This programme is studied over 4 years, including a year abroad. This enables us to build choice and flexibility into your studies, giving you time to explore options, find what you like and build your skills.Your first two years will be your pre-honours years. They will give you a good grounding in your subjects. In addition to studying core courses, you will broaden your education and skill set by choosing option courses. This may enable you to change the focus of your programme.Your final two years will be your honours years. You will spend Year 3 abroad, gaining a lived experience of Portuguese-speaking culture. Year 4 will be tailored to your interests in specific topics or approaches to Portuguese and Linguistics.**Programme benefits*** Learn in an historic capital city and cultural hub with international festivals.* Study over four years, including one abroad.* Become fluent in a global language.* Combine practical language learning with language science.* Try out different subjects in your first two years.* Delve into fantastic libraries and collections.

School of Literatures, Languages and Cultures