2023/2024 University Catalog
Linguistics and Asian/Middle Eastern Languages
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 Return to: Curricula by Department
Faculty:
Chair: Keating, Gregory D., Professor of Linguistics (B.A., University of Texas at Austin; M.A., University of Notre Dame; Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago)
Undergraduate Linguistics Adviser: Ruston, Ian S., M.A., Linguistics and Asian/Middle Eastern Languages
Undergraduate Japanese Adviser: Kitajima, Ryu, Emeritus (B.A., Osaka Prefecture University; M.A., Nara National Women’s University; Ph.D., State University of New York at Buffalo)
Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty:
Csomay, Eniko A., Professor of Linguistics (B.A., Eötvös University, Hungary; M.A., University of Reading, United Kingdom; Ph.D., Northern Arizona University)
Malouf, Robert P., Professor of Linguistics (B.A., State University of New York at Buffalo; Ph.D., Stanford University)
Wu, Ruey-Jiuan Regina, Professor of Linguistics and Asian/Middle Eastern Languages (B.A., National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan; M.A., University of Washington; Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles)
Zhang, Zheng-sheng, Professor of Chinese (B.A., Beijing Teachers College, China; M.A., Ph.D., The Ohio State University)
Soulaimani, Dris, Associate Professor of Arabic (B.A. Hassan II University, Morocco; M.A., Wayne State University; Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles)
Arita, Yuki, Assistant Professor of Japanese (B.A., Kansai Gaidai University, Japan; M.Ed., Middle Tennessee State University; M.A., Osaka University, Japan; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Dinkin, Aaron J., Associate Professor of Linguistics (A.B., Harvard University; Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania)
Doyle, Gabriel, Assistant Professor of Linguistics (A.B., Princeton University; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, San Diego)
Shahri, Naseh Nasrollahi, Assistant Professor of Linguistics (B.A., Ferdowsi University, Iran; M.A., Shahid Beheshti University, Iran; Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University)
Additional Faculty:
Gawron, Jean Mark, Professor of Linguistics, Emeritus (B.A., New York University; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley)
Lecturers:
El Cheddadi, Youniss, B.A., Linguistics and Asian/Middle Eastern Languages
Frame, Stephanie R., M.A., Linguistics and Asian/Middle Eastern Languages
Herandez-Mark, Julie, M.A., Linguistics and Asian/Middle Eastern Languages
Kang, Insook, M.A., Linguistics and Asian/Middle Eastern Languages
Kuratani, Asuka O., M.A., Linguistics and Asian/Middle Eastern Languages
Padrick, Kendell R., M.A., Linguistics and Asian/Middle Eastern Languages
Pasamonik, Rina O., M.A., Linguistics and Asian/Middle Eastern Languages
Paydar, Pooneh, M.A., Linguistics and Asian/Middle Eastern Languages
Shuster, Alana D., Ph.D., Linguistics and Asian/Middle Eastern Languages
Zakaria, Ghassan, M.A., Linguistics and Asian/Middle Eastern Languages
Emeritus:
Bar-Lev, Zev, Ph.D., 1979-2006, Professor of Linguistics
Choi, Soonja, Ph.D., 1987-2012, Professor of Linguistics
Donahue, Thomas S., Ph.D., 1968-2003, Professor of Linguistics
Higurashi, Yoshiko, Ph.D., 1983-2018, Professor of Japanese
Johns, Ann M., Ph.D., 1975-2002, Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies and Linguistics [Senate Distinguished Professor]
Kaplan, Jeffrey P., Ph.D., 1976-2015, Professor of Linguistics
Kitajima, Ryu, Ph.D., 1992-2020, Associate Professor of Japanese
Osman, Ghada, Ph.D., 2002-2016, Professor of Arabic
Poole, Deborah, Ph.D., 1989-2015, Professor of Rhetoric and Writing Studies and Linguistics
Robinson, Gail L., Ph.D., 1989-2011, Professor of Spanish and Linguistics
Webb, Charlotte, Ph.D., 1975-2004, Associate Professor of Linguistics
Arabic
OFFICE: Storm Hall West 214
TELEPHONE: 619-594-5268 / FAX: 619-594-4877
WEBSITE: http://arabic.sdsu.edu
The Major
The Islamic and Arabic Studies major is a multidisciplinary program that is designed to enable students to achieve fuller understanding and deeper insight and appreciation of non-western cultures. Students who specialize in Islamic Studies choose from specific courses in Arabic, History, Political Science, Religious Studies, and Women’s Studies. Students who wish to specialize in Arabic Studies must also choose from specific courses in Arabic, History, Political Science, Religious Studies, and Women’s Studies as indicated.
Advising
All College of Arts and Letters majors are urged to consult with their department adviser as soon as possible; they are required to meet with their department adviser within the first two semesters after declaration or change of major.
Chinese
OFFICE: Storm Hall West 214
TELEPHONE: 619-594-5268 / FAX: 619-594-4877
WEBSITE: https://linguistics.sdsu.edu/languages-and-esl-composition/chinese
Language Requirement for the B.A. Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Students electing the study of Chinese to fulfill the language requirement for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences must successfully complete CHIN 201 or the equivalent level of achievement. The usual sequence of coursework is CHIN 101 , CHIN 102 , and CHIN 201 . Refer to section of catalog on “Graduation Requirements ” for additional ways to satisfy competency.
High School Equivalents
High school language other than English courses may be used for purposes of placement in college courses and may be counted toward meeting the language requirement in various majors. These high school courses will not count as college credit toward graduation.
Secondary school language courses can be used as follows:
- The first two years of high school level language count as the equivalent of the first semester of a college level course.
- The first three years of high school level language count as the equivalent of the first two college semesters.
- Four years of high school level language count as the equivalent of three college semesters or five college quarters, thus fulfilling the language requirement.
Filipino
OFFICE: Storm Hall West 214
TELEPHONE: 619-594-4877 / FAX: 619-594-4877
WEBSITE: https://linguistics.sdsu.edu/languages-and-esl-composition/filipino
Language Requirement for the B.A. Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Students electing the study of Filipino to fulfill the language requirement for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences must successfully complete FILIP 201 or the equivalent level of achievement. The usual sequence of coursework is FILIP 101 , FILIP 102 , and FILIP 201 . Refer to section of catalog on “Graduation Requirements ” for additional ways to satisfy competency.
High School Equivalents
High school language other than English courses may be used for purposes of placement in college courses and may be counted toward meeting the language requirement in various majors. These high school courses will not count as college credit toward graduation.
Secondary school language courses can be used as follows:
- The first two years of high school level language count as the equivalent of the first semester of a college level course.
- The first three years of high school level language count as the equivalent of the first two college semesters.
- Four years of high school level language count as the equivalent of three college semesters, thus fulfilling the language requirement.
Hebrew
OFFICE: Storm Hall West 214
TELEPHONE: 619-594-5268 / FAX: 619-594-4877
WEBSITE: https://linguistics.sdsu.edu/languages-and-esl-composition/hebrew
Language Requirement for the B.A. Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Students electing the study of Hebrew to fulfill the language requirement for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences must successfully complete HEBRW 201 or the equivalent level of achievement. The usual sequence of coursework is HEBRW 101 (with HEBRW 100 ), HEBRW 102 , and HEBRW 201 . Refer to section of catalog on “Graduation Requirements ” for additional ways to satisfy competency.
Students who speak a little Hebrew (whether from formal studies or from other sources, such as parents or residence in Israel) should consult faculty for correct placement before classes begin.
High School Equivalents
High school language other than English courses may be used for purposes of placement in college courses and may be counted toward meeting the language requirement in various majors. These high school courses will not count as college credit toward graduation.
Secondary school language courses can be used as follows:
- The first two years of high school level language count as the equivalent of the first semester of a college level course.
- The first three years of high school level language count as the equivalent of the first two college semesters.
- Four years of high school level language count as the equivalent of three college semesters or five college quarters, thus fulfilling the language requirement.
Japanese
OFFICE: Storm Hall West 214
TELEPHONE: 619-594-5268 / FAX: 619-594-4877
WEBSITE: https://linguistics.sdsu.edu/languages-and-esl-composition/japanese
The Major
Japanese experienced the fastest growth rate of all languages in U.S. higher education during the 1980s, and still maintains its popularity, because of the interdependence between the U.S. and Japan, Japan’s role in the world economy, and the popularity of anime and Japanese film and music.
Students who major in Japanese will gain proficiency in Japanese language skills, a deep understanding of how cultural heritage shapes the people and society of modern Japan, and a keen sensitivity to intercultural differences.
The Japanese language program offers a broad variety of courses designed to prepare majors for a number of careers after graduation. A major in Japanese is also a good preparatory curriculum for graduate programs in such areas as International Business, International Law, Public Administration, Linguistics, and Journalism.
Advising
All College of Arts and Letters majors are urged to consult with their department adviser as soon as possible; they are required to meet with their department adviser within the first two semesters after declaration or change of major.
Korean
OFFICE: Storm Hall West 214
TELEPHONE: 619-594-5268 / FAX: 619-594-4877
WEBSITE: https://linguistics.sdsu.edu/languages-and-esl-composition/korean
Language Requirement for the B.A. Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Students electing the study of Korean to fulfill the language requirement for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences must successfully complete KOR 201 or the equivalent level of achievement. The usual sequence of coursework is KOR 101 , KOR 102 , and KOR 201 . Refer to section of catalog on “Graduation Requirements ” for additional ways to satisfy competency.
High School Equivalents
High school language other than English courses may be used for purposes of placement in college courses and may be counted toward meeting the language requirement in various majors. These high school courses will not count as college credit toward graduation.
Secondary school language courses can be used as follows:
- The first two years of high school level language count as the equivalent of the first semester of a college level course.
- The first three years of high school level language count as the equivalent of the first two college semesters.
- Four years of high school level language count as the equivalent of three college semesters or five college quarters, thus fulfilling the language requirement.
Linguistics (Undergraduate)
OFFICE: Storm Hall West 214
TELEPHONE: 619-594-5268 / FAX: 619-594-4877
WEBSITE: http://linguistics.sdsu.edu
The Major
Linguistics is the scientific study of language. The structure of a wide variety of languages is looked at, not to learn these languages, but to learn about them in order to understand the universal properties of human language.
The linguistics program offers coursework in all areas of linguistic analysis: the core areas of phonology, syntax, semantics, and historical linguistics; and interdisciplinary areas such as applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, bilingualism, computational linguistics, and the linguistics of certain languages and language families.
Linguistics majors must complete a minor in another field approved by the adviser in linguistics. Recommended fields include anthropology, communication, ethnic studies, a language other than English, History, Journalism and Media Studies, Literature, Philosophy, Psychology, Public Affairs, Sociology, and Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences.
In addition to the major and minor programs, the Department of Linguistics and Asian/Middle Eastern Languages offers five basic certificate programs. The Basic Certificates in Computational Linguistics and Text Analytics prepare students for employment as computational linguists in commercial and government settings. The Basic Certificate in Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language (TESL/TEFL) prepares students to teach English as a second language in adult and private schools and to teach English in foreign countries. The Basic Certificate in the Interdisciplinary Study of Bilingualism provides students with an interdisciplinary understanding of bilingualism, drawing on developments in various academic areas to include the intersection of multilingual development and language disorders, language policy and planning, language variation in sociocultural contexts, multilingual/bilingual language acquisition, and teacher education. The Basic Certificate in Transcultural Communication prepares students for an increasingly globalized world for success in workplaces where multiple language backgrounds and cultural systems intersect.
Employment opportunities for Linguistics majors exist in the teaching of English as a second language to immigrant and refugee population groups in various locales throughout the southwestern United States. In addition, many students are interested in teaching English in Latin America, the Far East, or other areas outside the United States and continental Europe. Linguistics training can also be used as a valuable skill in conjunction with a California teaching credential in another field. Employment opportunities are growing in academic and industrial areas of computational linguistics that specialize in language processing to include information extraction from legal documents or health records and marketing analyses based on social media texts. Government work is another alternative, where such divisions as the State Department and the foreign service hire trained linguists. Researchers are needed at institutes working in the fields of animal communication, computer science development, disorders of communication, or advanced research in linguistic theory. By combining a linguistics major with courses in accounting, business administration, or related fields, there are jobs available with multinational corporations, particularly those which emphasize trade among the Pacific rim nations. Linguists are also hired in such fields as computer science, advertising, communication media, public relations, and curriculum development.
With a master’s or doctoral degree, Linguistics majors may find teaching positions at community colleges or universities.
Advising
All College of Arts and Letters majors are urged to consult with their department adviser as soon as possible; they are required to meet with their department adviser within the first two semesters after declaration or change of major.
Linguistics (Graduate)
Associateships
Graduate teaching associateships in linguistics are offered each semester to a limited number of qualified students to teach introductory linguistics and the composition courses for international students.
General Information
The Department of Linguistics and Asian/Middle Eastern Languages offers graduate study leading to the Master of Arts degree in linguistics. The interdisciplinary program provides broad educational opportunities through two specializations: 1) General Linguistics, for those planning to pursue a doctorate in theoretical areas (e.g., syntax or phonology) or for those who plan to work in a language-related field in industry or education; 2) applied linguistics (TESOL), for students intending to teach or design curriculum for ESL/EFL/ELD classrooms (including community college and K-12 levels) or planning to pursue a doctorate in applied linguistics. In addition to completing coursework for one of the specializations, students are required to submit a thesis (Plan A) or pass a comprehensive examination (Plan B).
All students who complete the required program will receive a Master of Arts degree in linguistics. If requested, the department will provide a letter designating a student’s specialization for purposes of employment or application for further study. The specializations and language research interests of faculty members in this program are:
Yuki Arita - Conversation analysis in Japanese talk-in-interaction
Eniko Csomay - Classroom discourse, corpus linguistics, discourse analysis, language variation, research design and methods, and teaching English as a Second Language.
Aaron Dinkin - Sociolinguistics, language variation and change
Gabriel Doyle - Computational psycholinguistics
Jean Mark Gawron - Computational linguistics (machine translation, narrowing, parsing, pragmatic); semantics (anaphora, comparatives, lexical semantics, quantification).
Gregory D. Keating - First, second, and heritage language acquisition, sentence processing in monolingual and bilingual speakers of Spanish and English.
Robert P. Malouf - Computational linguistics, machine learning, morphology, syntax, and text analytics.
Betty T. R. Samraj - Discourse analysis, English for specific purposes, ESL methods and materials, genre analysis, systemic functional linguistics, and written academic discourse.
Naseh Nasrollahi Shahri - Second language literacy development, Semiotics, Language, culture and identity, Methodography, Second language teacher education.
Dris Soulaimani - Discourse analysis, language ideologies, and language pedagogy.
Ruey-Jiuan Regina Wu - Conversation analysis, functional linguistics, language assessment, language pedagogy, pragmatics, teaching methodologies, and teacher training.
Zheng-sheng Zhang - Chinese language (dialects, structure, stylistics, writing system); language pedagogy, technology for language teaching.
Admission to Graduate Study
In addition to meeting the requirements for admission to the university with classified graduate standing, as described in Admission and Registration , the student must have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics or a related field that would demonstrate adequate preparation for the program.
Students applying for admission should electronically submit the university application available at http://www.calstate.edu/apply along with the application fee.
All applicants must submit admissions materials separately to SDSU Graduate Admissions and to the Department of Linguistics and Asian/Middle East Languages.
Graduate Admissions
The following materials should be submitted directly to:
Graduate Admissions
Enrollment Services
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-7416
- Official transcripts (in sealed envelopes) from all postsecondary institutions attended;
NOTE:
- Students who attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for work completed since last attendance.
- Students with international coursework must submit both the official transcript and proof of degree. If documents are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
- GRE scores (http://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682). All students are required to submit GRE scores. The required minimum scores in each section are 144 (quantitative), 153 (verbal), and 4.0 (writing);
- English language score, if medium of instruction was in a language other than English (http://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682). Students who have a B.A. from a university where English is not the primary medium of instruction are required to submit either TOEFL iBT or IELTS scores. The required TOEFL iBT score is 90 or higher. The required IELTS score is 7.0 or higher. Note that these scores are higher than those required by the university.
Department of Linguistics and Asian/Middle Eastern Languages
The following admissions materials must be submitted electronically.
- Statement of purpose (250 words) which demonstrates an understanding of the SDSU program and which shows interest in an area of research that is within the department’s score of expertise;
- Names and e-mail addresses of two professors who can evaluate the applicant’s academic potential for success in a rigorous M.A. program. Recommenders will receive an e-mail link to upload their letter of reference to Interfolio. Although we strongly encourage academic references, non-academic references (e.g., from employers) may be submitted if a significant amount of time has passed since earning the last degree.
A student who is deficient in any of the above requirements may be considered for conditional admission. A candidate may be required to complete specified courses or earn a minimum GPA within a specific time period in addition to completing the minimum 30 units required for the degree.
The fall semester graduate application (Cal State Apply online application) deadline is March 1. In order to ensure consideration, other application materials must be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions (transcripts and test scores) and to the department (statement of purpose and recommendation letters) by April 1. Our program does not admit new students in the spring semester.
For information regarding the admissions process, visit the department website at http://linguistics.sdsu.edu.
Persian
OFFICE: Storm Hall West 214
TELEPHONE: 619-594-5268 / FAX: 619-594-4877
WEBSITE: https://linguistics.sdsu.edu/languages-and-esl-composition/persian
Language Requirement for the B.A. Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences
Students electing the study of Persian to fulfill the language requirement for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences must successfully complete PERS 201 or the equivalent level of achievement. The usual sequence of coursework is PERS 101 , PERS 102 , and PERS 201 . Refer to section of catalog on “Graduation Requirements ” for additional ways to satisfy competency.
High School Equivalents
High school language other than English courses may be used for purposes of placement in college courses and may be counted toward meeting the language requirement in various majors. These high school courses will not count as college credit toward graduation.
Secondary school language courses can be used as follows:
- The first two years of high school level language count as the equivalent of the first semester of a college level course.
- The first three years of high school level language count as the equivalent of the first two college semesters.
- Four years of high school level language count as the equivalent of three college semesters or five college quarters, thus fulfilling the language requirement.
Programs
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