Students of the BA Linguistics have to complete two language modules: the module Non-Indoeuropean/Non-European language ("Nicht-indoeuropäische/außereuropäische Sprache") and Lingua franca ("Verkehrssprache"). The first module is part of the compulsory modules, the second is part of the key qualifications. This website gives further information on the regulations for these modules.
Possible Language modules
In principle, we can only credit language modules from the university that comprise (at least) ten credit points. Leipzig University has an attractive range of courses in this area. We cannot accept the courses offered by the Spracheninstitut e. V. as they do not have the status of regular university modules with module exams and verified credit points. Occasionally, we offer the module Non-Indoeuropean/non-European language at the Institute of Linguistics. For further information, please check the commented course catalogue. As an alternative you can choose a language module comprising ten credit points from the range of the Language Centre or of the elective area of the social sciences and humanities. For the area of Lingua franca you can choose a language module with ten credit points from the range of courses offered by the Language Centre or the elective area of the humanities and social sciences. You cannot have a language module credited in parallel for two areas (e.g. as both a lingua franca and elective area module).
Choice of languages
Please check the choice of languages with the person responsible for the module Prof. Barbara Stiebels.
Lingua franca: modules on languages that function as Lingua Francas in a region where you may do fieldwork at a later point of time are appropriate. For example, someone with research interests in Siberia should choose Russian, whereas Spanish is useful for research interests in Bolivia. Besides the major European Lingua Francas, you can also choose a non-European Lingua Franca (such as Chinese, Arabic, Swahili, Indonesian).However, "smaller" European languages are also possible if they have a bridging function to a minority language (such as Norwegian for Samish).
Non-Indoeuropean/non-European language: preferably, you should choose a non-Indoeuropean language here, so that you deal with a language that structurally differs more or less from the well-known European languages. However, you can also choose a non-European Indo-European language (e.g. Hindi). Especially relevant from the range of the university are modules on Basque, Chinese, Tibetan, Mongolian, Hausa, Swahili, Indonesian, Akkadian, Ugaritic, Sumerian, Egyptian/Coptic, Hindi, and Sanskrit. Some of the respective philology departments also offer courses in other non-Indo-European languages. Please inform yourself on the respective websites.
You can also get credit points for Non-Indoeuropean/non-European language or Lingua franca for a continuation course of the modules of the compulsory elective area Hausa 1 and Russian 1 (the latter only for Lingua franca).
Restrictions concerning the languages
Note: You cannot choose either for module Non-Indoeuropean/non-European language or for the area of Lingua franca languages which have been credited to you in accordance with section 2 of the study regulations for the purpose of fulfilling the admission requirements. In addition, you must choose different languages for both areas. This should be reasonably languages that you have no or only rudimentary knowledge of.
Enrolment and Crediting of the Modules
If you choose a language module from the range of the Language Centre or from the elective area of the social sciences and the humanities, enrol there respectively. After successful completion of the two modules, you must have the modules credited by the person responsible for the module. Please submit a printout of your overview of grades from the study portal Almaweb. The crediting will then be noted on the printout. Please only ask for the crediting once both modules have been completed. If the module Non-Indoeuropean/non-European language is offered by the Institute of Linguistics, please enrol there. In this case no crediting is needed for the module. Upon request you can get a certification for the languages you dealt with in the language modules from the person responsible for the module (if the language is not specified in the Transcript of Records).
No Change of Already Credited Modules
A change of already credited modules is not possible. For instance, if you have attended and successfully completed the module Non-Indoeuropean/non-European language, you cannot have another module (e. g. for grade improvement) credited as a substitute. If you miss the registration for the examination for this module and do not take part in the examination or do not successfully complete the examination, the rule that you have to repeat the examination within one year at the latest also applies here. This applies to the completion of an alternatively chosen module, as well.