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John DuBois says that the approach to the study of languages at UCSB is unusual in that "the department is committed to understanding language by studying the ways in which people actually use it. We study the use of language as a way of getting at its grammatical structure, as well as its communicative meaning and social function." DuBois adds that he is particularly proud of the training in analytical skills that linguistics students receive at UCSB. "We try to get students to look at something as ordinary as casual conversation between friends and discover the extraordinary richness of language in it." He says that even if his students do not pursue advanced degrees in linguistics, "they will know how to analyze a problem, whether they choose law, business, journalism, education, or another career." DuBois has been interested in language all of his life. The subject fascinates him, he says, because "language is always evolving, reflecting what we care about as human beings engaged in social life." Go to catalog listing for: Department
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