Master of Studies in Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics (Research Preparation)

Differences from 2019/20 to 2021/22

1. Candidates shall normally have a degree in which linguistics forms at least 50% of the teaching and assessment, or who can otherwise demonstrate that they have studied linguistics to an equivalent level. Those intending to offer options chosen from C or D below should normally have, and may be required to demonstrate, some knowledge of the chosen (group of) language(s) and those intending to offer options chosen from C will normally be expected to be able to read secondary literature in French and German.

2. Every candidate shall pursue a course of study in Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics for at least one academic year under the supervision of the faculty.

3. The examination shall consist of two parts:

  • (a) two papers both of which must be chosen from those listed in B, or those listed in C (except that, at the discretion of the faculty, candidates may submit a paper from list B in place of one of those from list C), or those listed in D.

  • (b) a thesis of no more than 15,000 words to be written on a subject within the field of the MSt. The word limit excludes the bibliography, appendices consisting of a catalogue of data, any extensive text which is specifically the object of a commentary or linguistic analysis, and any translation of that text, but includes quotations and footnotes.

    The thesis (in two typewritten copies) must be sent in a parcel bearing the words ‘Thesis for the MSt in Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics (Research Preparation)'uploaded to the ExaminationUniversity Schools,approved Highonline Street,assessment Oxford, platform not later than noon on the Friday of the firstthird week of the Trinity Term in the academic year in which the examination takes place.

  • B.

    • (i) Phonetics and phonology.

    • (ii) Syntax.

    • (iii) Semantics.

    • (iv) Historical and comparative linguistics.

    • (v) Psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics.

    • (vi) History and structure of a language.

    • (vii) Experimental phonetics.

    • (viii) Sociolinguistics.

    • (ix) Computational linguistics.

    • (x) Any other subject which, from time to time, the Faculty of Linguistics, Philology and Phonetics at its own discretion may consider suitable.

    C.

    • (i) The comparative grammar of Indo-European languages.

    • (ii) The historical grammar of Indo-European languages.

    • (iii) Translation from, and linguistic comment upon, texts in Indo-European languages.

    D.

    • (i) The history of one language, or of two or more historically related languages.

    • (ii) The structure of the language or languages selected.

    • (iii) One of:

      • (a) Translation from, and/or linguistic comment upon, texts in the language or languages selected, or

      • (b) Any paper from B above except B (vi), or

      • (c) A project on an aspect of the structure or history of the language, or family of related languages, studied.

    4. The papers in C and D are each assessed by a three-hour written examination. The paper in D(iii) (c) is examined by method (b). The papers in B are assessed by:

    • Either

    • (a)  A three-hour written examination.

    • Or

    • (b) An essay of between 5,000 and 7,500 words (these limits to exclude symbols and diacritics, figures, the bibliography, appendices consisting of a catalogue of data, questionnaire, or other research instrument used to gather data, any extensive text which is specifically the object of a commentary or linguistic analysis, and any translation of that text, but include quotations and footnotes).  For all B papers, the essay must be submitted by uploading it to the AssignmentsUniversity sectionapproved ofonline theassessment M.St. and M.Phil. Linguistics WebLearn site onlyplatform. They should be word-processed files converted to PDF using the course coversheet as first page of the essay, bearing on the front the candidate's examination number but not their name or the name of their college. The PDF filename should be in this format: 'Candidate Number_Option Name _M.St. in Linguistics’’. Candidates must themselves retain a copy of each piece of work. Each submission will require the candidate to make a Declaration of Authorship stating that it is their own work except where otherwise indicated. Candidates must ensure that they receive the email confirming the submission and that the email is retained for future reference.

    • Or

    • (c) A written report of between 5,000 and 7,500 words on the design and execution of an original research project (these limits exclude symbols and diacritics, figures, the bibliography, appendices consisting of a catalogue of data, questionnaire, or other research instrument used to gather data, any extensive text which is specifically the object of a commentary or linguistic analysis, and any translation of that text, but include quotations and footnotes).  The research report must be submitted by uploading it to the AssignmentsUniversity sectionapproved ofonline theassessment M.St. and M.Phil. Linguistics WebLearn site onlyplatform. They should be word-processed files converted to PDF using the course coversheet as first page of the essay, bearing on the front the candidate's examination number but not their name or the name of their college. The PDF filename should be in this format: 'Candidate Number_Option Name _M.St. in Linguistics’’. Candidates must themselves retain a copy of each piece of work. Each submission will require the candidate to make a Declaration of Authorship stating that it is their own work except where otherwise indicated. Candidates must ensure that they receive the email confirming the submission and that the email is retained for future reference.

    In addition, the lecturer on the course of instruction may require:

    • (a) one or more practical problem set(s), to be completed and submitted at a time specified by the lecturer; and

    • (b) one or more oral presentation(s) in a public forum.

    For each paper in B, the lecturer on the course of instruction shall prescribe a suitable combination of these options, and shall make available to the Chair of Examiners evidence showing the extent to which each candidate has pursued an adequate course of work.

    5. Candidates who wish to offer papers listed in C above must select two Indo-European languages or language groups, one of which must be studied in greater depth than the other. All such combinations are subject to the availability of teaching and the approval of the faculty.

    6. The language or languages selected by candidates who wish to offer the papers mentioned in D above may be ancient (e.g. Ancient Greek, Latin, Sanskrit, Akkadian, etc.) or modern (e.g. French, Italian, German, English, Turkish, etc.). Only languages for which teaching is available at the time can be offered.

    7. The choice of the subjects for examination will be subject to the approval of the candidate's supervisor and the faculty, having regard to the candidate's previous experience and the availability of teaching. Not all options may be offered every year. The subjects which a candidate wishes to offer for examination must be submitted to the faculty for approval not later than Monday of the fifth week of the Michaelmas Term in the academic year in which the candidate is to be examined.

    8. The subject of the thesis must be submitted for approval by the faculty not later than Monday of the fifth week of the Michaelmas Term in the academic year in which the candidate is to be examined.

    9. Each candidate is required to present themselves for an oral examination if and when required by the examiners.

    10. Candidates requesting re-examination should be required to resit or resubmit any unit of assessment in which they have failed to achieve a pass mark. The highest mark awarded for a re-examined unit of assessment should be the pass mark.