Our Linguistics and Applied Linguistics program is #1 in Australia and #26 in the world (QS World University Rankings by subject 2026).
Our academic staff teach and carry out research into the nature of language in all aspects, including its structure and use, how it’s learnt, how it can be taught, and how language knowledge can be assessed.
Apart from our subjects and research projects, we supervise higher degree coursework and research programs such as the Master of Applied Linguistics and the PhD. Our research centres and units provide focus on specific research areas such as language testing, language typology, language acquisition and language processing, particularly in Indigenous languages.
Explore our research
Learn more about the funded research projects conducted by our staff, research students and postdoctoral fellows.
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1 Potato, 2 Wotatoes, 3 Otatoes: Lexical Access In Australian Languages
This project aims to investigate how listeners use cues from the way speech sounds are produced to break the speech stream into individual, recognisable words.
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Are super-complex words represented like sentences in speakers’ minds?
By examining speakers’ knowledge of super-complex words in the remote Australian language Wubuy, this project seeks to challenge our views on the concept of what a ‘word’ is and thereby the foundations of language description and speech processing.
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Aboriginal language use in Darwin
Dr John Mansfield investigates how highly complex Aboriginal languages, traditionally spoken by small semi-nomadic clan groups, are used in an urban context.
Learn about our research centres, hubs and units
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ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language
The ARC Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language investigates how languages vary, how we learn them, how we process them, and how they evolve.
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Language Testing Research Centre
The Language Testing Research Centre is an international leader in research and development in language assessment, and in language program evaluation.
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Phonetics Laboratory
The Phonetics Laboratory focuses on phonetics teaching, speech science and laboratory phonology research.
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Research Unit for Indigenous Language
The Research Unit for Indigenous Language works with Indigenous communities to expand and strengthen Indigenous Language research and support communities to maintain their linguistic and cultural heritage.
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Research Unit for Multilingualism and Cross-Cultural Communication
The Research Unit for Multilingualism and Cross-Cultural Communication conducts research in areas including bilingual education, second language acquisition, inter-cultural communication and language policy.
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Research Hub for Language in Forensic Evidence
We serve as a national hub coordinating research involving linguistics, law, and law enforcement. Our aim is to assist the courts in ensuring that language & speech in forensic evidence is used in the interests of justice and fairness.
Study with us
We offer a range of study options for you to advance your expertise in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics. Learn more about studying:
Meet our Linguistics and Applied Linguistics staff
Our academics are leading teachers, researchers and industry professionals.