Established in 1969, the Department of Linguistics at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is an active centre of research and teaching. Currently, we offer undergraduate and graduate programs that lead to BA, MA, and PhD degrees.

Our approach to the interdisciplinary field of linguistics combines research methods from the humanities and the social, natural, and mathematical sciences. Combined with our excellent research laboratories, our faculty have a reputation for their work in First Nations languages, African languages, experimental linguistics (production, perception, and first language acquisition), as well as linguistic theory including syntax, semantics, phonology, and phonetics.

Located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people, we are a community of faculty members, practitioners, students, research and support staff, all working together to advance the study and understanding of linguistics.

Our department is located in Totem Field Studios. Our building’s name has an important history; we encourage you to become familiar with it: https://powerofaname.ubc.ca/totem-park-timeline/