ENVS 034. Environmental Linguistics

Cross-listed with LING 048
Environmental linguistics is an emerging field at the intersection of linguistics and natural sciences. It recognizes the mutual relationship between cultural and ecological diversity, documenting linguistic structures and verbal practices by which speakers conceptualize, encode, and transmit knowledge about the natural world. Natural phenomena-as Indigenous experts explain-cannot be understood apart from the languages that encode them, and vice versa. Language diversity is thus the key to safeguarding biodiversity and a balanced human relationship with nature. Environmental linguistics works to decolonize linguistics as our field evolves to prioritize knowledge co-production over data extraction.

Prerequisite: Prerequisite: A course in Linguistics or permission of the instructor for special cases.
Social Scienes
Eligible for Eligible for ENVS
Spring 2025. Harrison.
Catalog chapter: Environmental Studies
Department website: Environmental Studies Program

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