Lyndsay is currently a fourth year student, majoring in Linguistics and minoring in Psychology. In 2014-15, she is returning to Queen's as a second-time Teaching Assistant of LING 100: Introduction to Linguistics course. She loves helping other students and her enthusiasm about Linguistics is contagious! Here is what she has to say about her studies:
"I chose to pursue my degree in Linguistics because words have always fascinated me. I became familiar with Latin, Greek and French as a child and delighted in learning the etymology of words, word meanings, and how words are organized. When I discovered Linguistics, which combines the words, sounds, structures, and social factors of various languages to examine how they interact, I knew that I had found the right program.
Studying Linguistics is a truly enjoyable experience. It challenges me to think critically, and helps develop strong analytic skills that carry over to all aspects of life. The small size of the program allows students to get to know professors on a personal level, and professors are able to ensure that their students are succeeding. In conjunction with the rest of the LLCU department, students of Linguistics are able to study numerous languages and explore their cultures.
As a Teaching Assistant for the Introduction to Linguistics course, I find it extremely fulfilling to be able to provide new students with the same support that I received when I first entered the program. Getting to know other students in Linguistics and within the LLCU department is a wonderful first step to your journey at Queen's. This is a primary goal of the LLCU Departmental Student Council, which aims to organize events that bring together students who share similar academic pursuits and passions.
After graduating, I plan to complete a Master's degree in Forensic Linguistics, which is the application of linguistic knowledge to legal, judicial, and criminal contexts. A forensic linguist, first and foremost, is a student of linguistics, who uses linguistic expertise to aid in criminal cases. This may be to assess the threat of a ransom demand or hate mail, or to identify the author of a text or recording. Forensic linguists can work privately, or in conjunction with a police department, a prosecutor, or a judge in the courts. The Linguistics program at Queen's continues to teach me the theoretical linguistic knowledge and applied skills necessary in order to realize this goal."