Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages
MPHO NGOEPE AND NAPJADI LETSOALO | Unisa plays its part by supporting linguistic diversity
The report by the Cultural, Linguistics and Religious Rights Commission about organs of state failing to equitably use all official languages is highly alarming. Despite the existence of the Use of Official Languages Act 12 of 2012, which was enacted to regulate and monitor the utilisation of official languages by the national government for its various functions, Read more.
MPHO NGOEPE AND NAPJADI LETSOALO | Unisa plays its part by supporting linguistic diversity
The report by the Cultural, Linguistics and Religious Rights Commission about organs of state failing to equitably use all official languages is highly alarming. Despite the existence of the Use of Official Languages Act 12 of 2012, which was enacted to regulate and monitor the utilisation of official languages by the national government for its various functions, Read more.
Unisa linguist attempts to solve the literacy crisis in South Africa
Delivering her inaugural lecture recently, Prof Carien Wilsenach from the College of Human Sciences’ Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages argued that there is a literacy crisis in South Africa. This refers to the fact that 78% of learners in Grade 4 cannot understand what they read, and more than 50% of children do not know the letters of the alphabet by the end of Grade 1. Read more.
Unisa linguist attempts to solve the literacy crisis in South Africa
Delivering her inaugural lecture recently, Prof Carien Wilsenach from the College of Human Sciences’ Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages argued that there is a literacy crisis in South Africa. This refers to the fact that 78% of learners in Grade 4 cannot understand what they read, and more than 50% of children do not know the letters of the alphabet by the end of Grade 1. Read more.
Multilingual education the driving force behind transformed HEIs
Unisa's theme for its 150th anniversary year is Reclaiming Africa's Intellectual Futures , and, reflecting this, the central message at the university's International Mother Language Day celebration was that multilingualism and mother-tongue-based education are the driving forces for transformed and Africanised higher education institutions. Read more.
Multilingual education the driving force behind transformed HEIs
Unisa's theme for its 150th anniversary year is Reclaiming Africa's Intellectual Futures , and, reflecting this, the central message at the university's International Mother Language Day celebration was that multilingualism and mother-tongue-based education are the driving forces for transformed and Africanised higher education institutions. Read more.
Scholars get recognised for promoting multilingualism
Unisa scholars walked away victorious at the 2021-2022 PanSALB Multilingualism Awards for their excellence in promoting and preserving South African official languages. Read more.
Scholars get recognised for promoting multilingualism
Unisa scholars walked away victorious at the 2021-2022 PanSALB Multilingualism Awards for their excellence in promoting and preserving South African official languages. Read more.
We welcome you to the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages!
The department offers you an opportunity to enrol for undergraduate majors in French, Mandarin, Linguistics, and Portuguese, Honours degrees, and Masters and Doctoral qualifications. Please click on the tab 'Qualifications' for more information.
Note that at undergraduate level, our modules are studied as part of Bachelor of Arts (specialisation degrees) and Bachelor of Education (degrees) . Our modules fall under the following disciplines:
- French
- Linguistics
- Mandarin
- Portuguese
You may also take our modules for non-degree purposes. For example, you may not want to enrol for a degree, but you are interested in the role of multilingualism in the South African context, or you may be fascinated by the relationship between the brain and language. Then, you may enrol only for a specific module that interests you. Most modules are offered in both semesters.
Our postgraduate qualifications are offered at three levels; click on the following postgraduate programmes under the 'Qualification' tab for more details:
Honours qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts Honours in Applied Linguistics (99405)
- Bachelor of Arts Honours in Linguistics (99417)
- Bachelor of Arts Honours in Modern European Languages and Literature (99419)
- Bachelor of Arts Honours in Translation Studies (99428)
Masters and Doctoral qualifications
- Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics (Full Dissertation) (98504)
- Master of Arts in French (Full Dissertation) (98409)
- Master of Arts in Linguistics (Translation Studies) (98568 - TLS)
- Master of Arts in Linguistics General (98568 - GEN)
- Master of Arts in Portuguese (Full Dissertation) (98545)
- Master of Arts in Sociolinguistics (Full Dissertation) (99506)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Languages, Linguistics and Literature (90041)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Languages, Linguistics and Literature (French) (90041 - FRN)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Languages, Linguistics and Literature (Translation Studies) (90041 - TLS)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Languages, Linguistics and Literature (Portuguese) (90041 - PRT)
Our staff members are always available to assist you in any way possible. Feel free to contact the department! Please click on the tab 'Staff Members' our academic and support staff.
Last modified: 2023/08/07
