There are two types of linguists. Type 1 linguists speak many languages, while Type 2 linguists study language scientifically without necessarily speaking multiple languages themselves. Type 2 linguists examine topics like pronunciation, writing systems, vocabulary, old and new communication methods, and both successful and unsuccessful communication. While some linguists speak other languages, their work involves rigorous scientific study of various aspects of human language rather than just language acquisition.

1. So you
know a
linguist… Jodie Martin
twitter.com/jodie__martin
slideshare.net/jayelem
About.me/jodiemartin

2. Did you ask them how
many languages they
speak?

3. Did they forward you this presentation?

4. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2168/1558028479_1fb667e2f2_
You see there’s two types of linguists.

5. http://www.flickr.com/photos/elo/3683835341/
Type 1: Speaks many languages
(also called a ‘polyglot’)

6. And often features in science fiction

7. http://www.flickr.com/photos/gzap/2997986634/sizes/l/in/photostream/
Yeah, a lot of us get into linguistics because
we learnt or speak another language.

8. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5001399117_7651e6384d_b.jpg
But we get asked that question
all the time.

9. ALL. THE. TIME.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ohhector/2366343607/in/photostream/

10. So it might help if you understand
there’s another type of linguist
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2168/1558028479_1fb667e2f2_o

11. http://www.flickr.com/photos/kcolwell/2854702332/sizes/l/in/photostream/
language
Type 2: a
scientist

12. We study
pronunciation
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2071/2088252449_ddfc4c2733_b.jpg

13. http://www.flickr.com/photos/eelend/5079913/sizes/o/
We study writing

14. http://www.flickr.com/photos/surrealmuse/4757004/sizes/z/in/photostream /
We study words and word histories

15. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/4260719610_35b63d043f_b.jpg
We study old languages

16. We study new ways of
communication
http://leepro.deviantart.com/art/IM-language-100019257

17. http://www.flickr.com/photos/benrussell/1477899923/
We study teacher talk

18. http://www.flickr.com/photos/bluesquarething/429
And student writing

19. We study successful communication
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pricklebush/224674200/

20. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/4584323789_a060dc2417_o.jpg
We study not so
successful
communication

21. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_oLbtTQY0cnE/TIgcnggvQyI/AAAAAAAAAF8/jlDFC95ZWE8/s320/darth-vader-face.jpg
Most linguists aren’t grammar nazis

22. Think of us as
language hippies
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nopiedra/2266078656/

23. Who get REALLY excited over an aspirated p, or
the history of a word, or using “Dude” as a
gender-neutral greeting.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fussylittlengine/3946695040/

24. REALLY EXCITED
http://www.flickr.com/photos/carplips/1704434626/

25. So give a linguist a hug.
They probably need it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thecaucas/3849178561/