Alisa originally chose to major in Computer Science because she liked the problem-solving aspect of programming. Under a BSc, she had room to pick up another major, but none of the other Science majors really appealed to her. So she looked through the Arts majors and came across Linguistics—which has now been replaced by the Language Sciences major.

“I liked thinking about languages, and I felt like I’d probably like thinking about linguistics as well. So I just followed my curiosity and enrolled as a Computer Science/Linguistics double major.”

Alisa found that the variety of linguistics subjects at Victoria University of Wellington exposed her to many different ways of thinking.

“As I’ve journeyed into higher-level linguistics papers, I’ve found that the areas start to bleed into each other a little more, and areas I felt were previously pretty objective get a lot more subjective. So it’s been very interesting to shift the way I think about these as I learn more about linguistics.”

Studying Linguistics also reframed Alisa’s perspective on certain aspects of her life.

“It’s been fascinating to be able to recognise the linguistic reasoning for why I talk the way I do in different contexts, or why some words or sentences feel more wrong than others, among other things.”

During her degree, Alisa was able to tailor her experience to align with her main interests.

“I really enjoy doing logic puzzles and figuring out patterns in data. So my favourite course of all time is LING 227 (now LSCI 211), because it’s a syntax course based around analysing language datasets and then figuring out the grammar rules of that language. It’s a different kind of problem solving to programming, but just as enjoyable.”

Curious about what drives human behaviour in the real world, Cameron Dannefaerd began his degree majoring in Psychology. But a first-year Linguistics course inspired a change of direction.

“Linguistics had everything I looked for in Psychology and more. It gave me so many different perspectives on language that I had to make it my major.”

From 2025, Linguistics is being replaced by the slightly broader major in Language Sciences.

Cameron found that Linguistics gave him a framework for exploring some big and interesting questions.

“How and why did language evolve the way it did? What does it mean to communicate? What does it mean to be polite? Linguistics covers such a wide range of topics.”

Linguistics is a multi-disciplinary subject that gives you a unique perspective on how our social world works.

Cameron says, “Whenever I speak to people or listen to those around me speak, I find myself hyper-aware of all the little things we humans do with language—so much that I doubt I’ll ever be able to look at the world the same way.”

Reuben says he loves studying linguistics because it is so relevant to every part of his life.

“In my time here, I have learnt how language changes over time, how people use humour to challenge power imbalances, and how small talk is an important part of workplace interaction. Whatever facet of life I am interested in, I have found that language plays a crucial part in it.

“Doing a PhD has been an incredible opportunity. I was supported to choose a research topic that really excites me and fully allows me to pursue my academic interests with supervisors that really guide my learning.”

The staff in the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies fostered Reuben’s passion for linguistics and academia in general.

“I have presented at international conferences, completed research internships, and been encouraged to pursue my passions as an academic.

“I have felt welcomed to the Linguistics programme as a fellow staff member where my ideas and contributions are valued amongst my colleagues. My experience in the field is recognised and has led to a position tutoring a course each trimester.”

The great reputations of the research staff in the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies were part of what drew Bianca to the University.

“I’ve found them all to be really friendly and approachable. We are also lucky to have frequent visits from New Zealand-based and international scholars.”

Bianca has enjoyed being able to stay up to date with several exciting Linguistics projects at the University.

“I get to mix with people doing linguistics research across a broad range of areas such as language in the workplace, New Zealand Sign Language, and teaching English to speakers of other languages.”

After graduating with a PhD in Linguistics, Bianca took up a position as a lecturer in speech and language therapy at Massey University.

Dr Skalicky’s research explores the question of why language users don’t always mean what they say.

When we use humour, irony, satire, and other forms of figurative language, we run the risk of being misunderstood. But it turns out that humorous and figurative language communicate a great deal of affective, attitudinal, and indirect meaning.

“My research is driven by a desire to highlight the ways that creativity and poetry in language are the norm, rather than the exception. What does this look like in real terms? Right now, I explore the production and comprehension of ironic, satirical, and humorous discourse.”

The study of humorous and figurative language is highly interdisciplinary. Dr Skalicky has collaborated with researchers in mass communications, theoretical linguistics, and psychology.

“The results of these collaborations are rewarding and help break down silos that separate like-minded researchers interested in the same phenomena.”