LSA
About
Who We Are
Who We Are
The Linguistic Society of America
Advancing the scientific study of language
Who we are
The Linguistic Society of America (LSA), founded in 1924, is the leading U.S. professional organization dedicated to advancing the scientific study of language. We are teaching and research professors, data scientists, Natural Language Processing and Understanding experts, K-12 teachers, community language revitalization specialists, language documentarians, UX researchers, non-profit owners, translators, and software engineers.
To learn more detailed information regarding LSA’s leadership structure; commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field; ethics in language studies; and LSA honors and awards, navigate the menu to the left.
How many languages do you speak?
Linguistics is actually not about learning to speak lots of languages (although some of our members do). Rather, linguistics is the scientific study of langauge. We use systematic data collection and analysis to explore the unconscious knowledge humans have about language, the general and specific structures of language, and how languages impact social interaction. Our work includes the study of languages in all of the major -- and many of the minor -- language families of the world. Here are some of them:
Languages of the LSA
What we do
Advance language research, policy, teaching and technology
With members employed across academia, industry, government, and the non-profit sector, the LSA convenes the researchers and practitioners shaping the future of language science, AI, and communication technologies.
Publish cutting edge research
The LSA publishes four open access journals, each disseminating state-of-the-art, peer-reviewed reseach.
Provide professional development
The LSA offers opportunities for continuing professional development both in person and virtually. At the LSA Annual Meeting, which is the only event that brings linguists from every specialty area, subdisciplinary field, and employment sector, together in one place. Participants share the latest findings, methods, and theoretical developments in language science. The LEXING Symposium, an anchor event of the Annual Meeting, provides dynamic opportunities for linguists working in industry, non-profits, and government to share their work, gain skills to advance their careers, and build their professional networks.
The LSA also offers year-round virtual professional development opportunities through webinars, presidential forums, and career development workshops. Members can access an archive of Annual Meeting and virtual programming recordings through the LSA Resource Hub. Recent topics have included:
Meet the author of 'Verbs of Perception: A Quantitative Typological Study
Creole and Indigenous Voices of North America
Demographics in Linguistic Research: The Sex/Gender Question
LSA Presidential Research Forum - Tutorial on Logical Phonology
Applying to Grad School: Perspective from a First-Gen Grad Student
Mastering Your First 20-Minute Talk: Strategies for LSA Annual Meeting Presenters
The Wikipedia Assignment: How Students and Faculty Are Shaping Public Understanding of Linguistics
Who We Are
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