Course + Year: NTU Linguistics and Multilingual Studies (LMS) Y3, Second Major in Psychology
If you’ve watched the science fiction film Arrival, you probably have a good (but partial) understanding of what Linguistics is about. To put it simply, Linguistics is the study of everything and anything related to languages! Here at Linguistics and Multilingual Studies (LMS), some of the commonly discussed topics are effects of language use (using your first language to recount a traumatic incident often incite a more vigorous reaction), language attitudes (contrary to popular belief, studies have found that citizens from Britain and USA found English spoken with a Singaporean accent highly intelligible and friendlier compared to others), language recognition and synthesis (development of chatbots etc), language and cognition (categorisation of colours differ across speakers of different languages etc) and many more. We also raise questions about local language policies, and also how learning a 2nd language may bring about changes in the cognition of a child.
I was from JC and took PCME for A levels.
I did not take linguistics during JC because the curiosity I had with local dialects would not have been satiated by ELL at the JC level—the syllabus focuses solely on the English language and its influences. I was instead more interested in venturing into unknown waters, learning about the working principles behind languages that we rarely come across, and how their culture is shaped around their languages. Furthermore, English was not my strongest subject and hence I dismissed the thought of taking ELL when I was in JC.
I wouldn’t say I was interested in linguistics when I first decided to major in it; in fact, I myself was not sure what I was getting myself into. I simply saw it as a way to get to know more about the different dialects I was exposed to since young. I was fascinated by how the different dialects sounded and how people of different backgrounds and language pools sounded different in the same languages. I guess my decision to major in linguistics further exposed me to topics I did not know interest me, allowing me to gain more than I expected.
Of course, career prospects was a factor that I considered. However, seeing how most (if not all) of my cousins ended up in a job unrelated to their degree, I figured interests should play a larger role. We never know where life will take us; so why not choose something that you enjoy doing? Furthermore, I personally find it more logical to graduate with good results for a degree I am interested in compared to having a low GPA after struggling for 4 years.
I was offered the following:
NUS – Environmental Engineering
NTU – LMS with a 2nd major (undecided at the point of admission)
Aside from being interested in environmental issues and physics, another thing I had going for me was how NUS is more accessible than NTU from where I live. However, I chose LMS instead as:
Although the employability of linguistics majors might be quite low as well, I felt that since I was going to face (supposedly) the same level of difficulty of getting myself employed, the question lies in what kind of job I hope to secure after graduation. The adventurous part of me hopes that one day I can be granted the opportunity to travel and document endangered language for short periods of time. The social part of me hopes that my future job entails human interactions. A degree in linguistics seems more likely to offer the above mentioned characteristics for my future job and thus I accepted the offer from NTU instead.
There are core modules which the school expects you to clear in Y1. In Y1S1, core modules include Structure of Modern English, Language in Society and Mind and Meaning. Core modules in Y1S2 include Bilingualism and Multilingualism and also Phonetics and Phonology. Students are free to take up GERPEs, UEs or other major prescribed modules to fill the load in addition to these core modules.
By Year 2 Semester 1, students are expected to clear all their core modules. There is no specialisation for this major. Thus, students are free to study modules that interest them going forward. Modules are split into a few categories, namely:
Students with GPA 4.0 and above by the end of Year 3 Semester 2 will be required to do a Final Year Project in their 4th Year.
All core and Level 2 modules (which stand at a majority) are lecture-tutorial style. Level 3 and 4 modules which are taken more commonly in Year 3 and 4 are seminar style. LMS undergraduates are expected to take only three Level 3 and four Level 4 major prescribed modules. The rest of the major prescribed modules and all (seven) core modules are considered Level 2. While Level 3 and 4 modules are more commonly held seminar-style, Level 2 modules are lecture-tutorial style. Assessment criteria differs across professors; some may require you to do projects while others may have MCQs for the final quiz.
As a Year 3 student, I would say individual assignments and written quizzes are rather common in this major. One thing to note is that LMS students undergo continued assessments i.e. unlike many other majors, we rarely sit for final exams. Our assessments span across the whole semester, dotted with quizzes and presentations.
Yes, project work is rather common for this major. Thus far, the group projects I have worked on include writing group reports, creating websites on specific topics and developing linguistic programmes using Python. Individual projects (or assignments) include transcribing sentences into IPA and developing a 3D model of our vocal tract using programmes like Artisynth.
One of my favourite modules so far has to be Morphology and Syntax, whereby we look at the different systems languages may adopt. We also look at the common manifestations across languages, such as having articles that reflect pluralities/gender in a sentence. During tutorials, the professor would give sentences in a different language with their rough translations. The students are then asked to propose the system that said language is based on and explain the theory that leads up to the conclusion. There is no right or wrong; it is simply constructing the theory/system that best describes the phenomena and the dataset. Despite feeling frustrated when I was unable to account for the dataset, the tutorial practices were like puzzles which I looked forward to solving every week.
I would say that people who are able to keep an open mind would be more suited for this course. Like how speakers of different languages may perceive the world differently, linguists should be equipped with the ability to look at things from different perspectives in order to analyse and account for the various manifestations in a language. Furthermore, we raise questions that challenge what we thought we knew, thus students learn best if we keep an open mind.
Many mistake linguistics to be the study of English or Literature. Others may think that only people who have good command in English can enroll in this major. These are all misconceptions that I hope to debunk. One simple question to ask when differentiating between English and Linguistics is that given a choice between an English specialist and a Linguistic specialist, who would you approach for help in the event of an alien invasion? Linguists are equipped with the relevant skills to decode and unveil the message behind what seemed to be gibberish to an average person. We also study how people from all walks of life use languages as tools to benefit themselves / achieve their motives. This is a different line of work compared to students majoring in English or Literature.
There exist days when I question my decision to join LMS when faced with doubts regarding employment. While there are positions available specifically for LMS students in the workforce, it is undeniable that the market is rather small. Nevertheless, I enjoy what I am studying for now. If asked to make the choice again, I would still choose LMS despite knowing the risks involved.
Off my head, LMS students are able to venture into the following fields:
Understanding and documenting a language well enough for application in the computer industry requires major work. As far as I know, works are underway for the National Speech Corpus, where help is needed to document Singapore English for application in chatbots during phone calls etc. IMDA is currently overseeing this project. Other internships concern publishing, translation or research work. LMS students interested in teaching can consider securing MOE internships as well.
My current aim is to enroll under the Master of Science (Speech & Language Pathology) programme under NUS after graduation and join the healthcare sector as a speech therapist. Alternatively, working with programmers to further develop speech synthesis and recognition in the technology sector is something to consider as well. Next in line would be to secure an office job with a publishing company.
JC was definitely more stressful for me. While the workload in Uni is heavier, studying something I am interested in really helps with getting me along.
Competition for my major depends on the cohort. While I did not find it very competitive, juniors express otherwise. Professors, on the other hand, are very chill and cool and are unlikely to exert any stress on the students.
Like other majors, students have to match courses with the school they want to visit before leaving for exchange. Countries which LMS students frequent for exchange are Korean, Denmark, USA and Japan.
I stayed in hall for the first 2 years in NTU and am likely to continue doing so in Year 3. Staying in hall is rather convenient for me, especially so when I have 9.30am classes or have assignments due soon. Hall is also a good channel for making friends and getting to know people from a myriad of courses.
During my free time, you are likely to find me camping at the school’s Student Activity Centre (SAC) or Liho chatting/studying with my friends!
I was also a member of CAC (Clubs in NTU are split into 4 big categories: CAC (Cultural Activities Club (arts related)), WSC (Welfare Services Club), NTUSU (Student Union) and Sports Club) for the past 2 years and hence spent my free time working on the school magazine as well.
If you’re coming to NTU, do make sure to find your lecture and tutorial rooms before your lessons! Navigating around NTU can be quite a challenge, with many of my LTs (Lecture Theatres) or tutorial rooms tucked at a corner of a nondescript looking building.
If you’re an incoming LMS freshie, do try to get yourself acquainted and build ties with your cohort mates! We’re a small cohort and hence will likely see each other around. If possible, it would be good to know a senior from the course too, as he/she would be able to share with you tips for specific classes/modules/ professors and student life!
I guess following your passion is rather important as interests and passion act as a driving force throughout your university journey. Personally, I feel that while research on courses is important, there comes a point in time whereby you already know what you should know. That is the point where you should take a leap of faith and go for what feels ‘right’ to you.
The views and opinions expressed here are solely those of the interviewees and do not reflect the official policy or position of any institution. They are also not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, class, individual or organisation.
The information contained in this website is intended to provide general guidance only. It should not be relied upon as professional advice and does not 100% guarantee admission into any course.
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