Linguistic theory aims to explain the nature of human language in terms of basic underlying principles. Linguists study the structure of natural languages in order to gain a better understanding of those principles. UWM linguists conduct research in core areas of linguistic theory:

• Phonetics and phonology: the study of sound systems, sound patterns, and sound structures
• Syntax and semantics: the study of sentence structure and how it constrains meaning and interpretation
• Morphology: the study of word structure and its connections with sound and sentence structure
• Language acquisition (first and second language)
• Historical linguistics and language change

UWM Linguistics faculty are internationally recognized for their scholarly contributions, and our students conduct cutting-edge research in all areas of theoretical linguistics.