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Humanities Faculty

General Linguistics

  1.  University of bamberg
  2. Faculties
  3. Humanities
  4. Institutes
  5. Oriental Studies
  6. General Linguistics

Welcome to the Chair of General Linguistics

[Translate to 1 - english:] Personen vor einer Brücke Geoffrey Haig

Concerning teaching in the winter term 2023/2024

Dear students,

an overview of the courses offered in the summer semester 2023 can be found on the following pages:
   — Bachelor minor subject General Linguistics
   — Master General Linguistics

Teaching during the upcoming summer semester commences October 16th 2023 and concludes February 9th 2024. Most courses at the Chair of General Linguistics begin on October 16th, 2023. Please read the notes on the individual events in UnivIS. If you have serious questions, please contact the lecturers. You can find their contact details on the website under Current Staff.

To ensure a smooth start into the new semester and a productive learning experience, we kindly request that you do the following:

  • Please register for your chosen courses in FlexNow! as soon as possible. For all courses of offered by the Department of General Linguistics, registration is possible starting on October 1st, 2023.
  • Please join the groups on the Virtual Campus (VC) for all of your chosen courses as soon as possible. These will be made available in early October. The VC will be used to convey all information regarding course structure, assignments, and required tools and software.

During the semester break, please write to the relevant lecturer or to our office if you need an appointment.

If you have any questions or uncertainties, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our administrative office (admin.aspra(at)uni-bamberg.de).


What is General linguistics?

General linguistics is the science of language. It is not restricted to any particular language but explores language as a universal characteristic of human beings worldwide. Among many other things, linguistics is concerned with the cognitive basis of language production and perception, the social functions of language within a speech community, its acquisition by the individual and the processes that lead to the changes in languages throughout their histories.

Research focus

General linguistics at Bamberg provides a grounding in the foundations of linguistics; the research focus of the department is on the minority languages and speech communities of the Near and Middle East.

A particular speciality of the department is Kurdish, the largest minority language in the world, spoken by many millions of people in several states in the Middle East and by a large diaspora communitiy in Europe.

Degree programs

The department was established in 2010. Since the winter term 2011/12, we offer a minor BA degree in General Linguistics with either 30 or 45 ECTS.

In addition, since the winter term 2013/14, a new Master program "General Linguistics" is also available.

Teaching at the department is in English.

Where are we?

Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg
Schillerplatz 17
96047 Bamberg
Site Plan.