English Language, Linguistics and World Literature University of Kent

Overview

Language is an extraordinary tool for communication between cultures. We use it to share our goals and emotions, find common ground and inspire lasting change. World literature extends this dialogue across time and place, allowing diverse voices and stories to deepen our understanding of one another and of the human experience we share.

However, there is so much that goes unexplored in how we speak or sign, what we say, and the stories we tell.

Through the study of Language, Linguistics and World Literature, you will learn to think more consciously about meaning and communication. You will explore hidden structures in grammar, analyse media narratives, understand how people “code-switch” between cultures, and examine how writers from around the world use language to shape stories, identities and perspectives. You’ll also analyse acoustic data, devise experiments and test hypotheses in our state-of-the-art Linguistics Lab, and gain experience and understanding of the publishing industry.

Through core and optional modules, you’ll become a more confident communicator, learn to assess sources more critically, and develop skills in data analysis and research. This unique blend of skills is highly in-demand in a range of careers, and our curriculum is designed to meet the needs of employers in fields as diverse as publishing and speech therapy.

Language and literature define us as people, and as humans. Go beneath the surface, and discover skills and ideas that will transform how you see the world.