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Linguistics Research at UMass
The Linguistics Department at UMass is a center for research in the core areas of theoretical linguistics- semantics, phonology and syntax-as well as in areas tightly linked to that core- psycholinguistics, phonetics, acquisition, prosody and morphology. Research at the interfaces of these areas-be it syntax-semantics, phonology-syntax, or phonology-morphology-is also a hallmark of the UMass research profile.
The UMass Linguistics Department has had a particularly strong record in externally funded research, both in theoretical and experimental areas. In most years between two and five graduate students work as research assistants to the faculty on externally funded grants, instead of as teaching assistants. There are five different linguistics laboratories run by faculty. The Center for the Study of African American Language, directed by Lisa Green, also offers research opportunities.
From the outset, the UMass department has had an important experimental component. Language acquisition and adult language processing were early specializations of the department, followed by phonetics and prosody. Experimental investigations which actively probe questions of high theoretical interest are also a hallmark of UMass Linguistics. Graduate students collaborate on experiments with faculty and perform their own for various courses or their own research projects. Undergraduate students are tapped as participants and in higher level courses, learn to design their own experiments as well.
In the close-knit spirit of our department, graduate students and faculty meet regularly in groups to discuss ongoing research in specific areas. These casual meetings sometimes take place in student or faculty homes, and can lead to discussions that last late into the evening.
Graduate students are encouraged to embark early on their own research projects, are given considerable mentorial support, and are encouraged to deliver papers or posters at conferences, with financial support for at least one conference trip a year per student.