What makes linguistics and translation at CityUHK unique?
At City University of Hong Kong, we view language as a dynamic and multifaceted system deeply connected to cognition, culture, and society. Our research-driven approach positions CityUHK as a global leader in modern linguistic studies, fostering an innovative and interdisciplinary environment where cutting-edge scholarship meets real-world impact.
Our department thrives on four key pillars: collaboration, breadth, application, and innovation. These principles guide our research and teaching, ensuring that students and scholars engage with language in meaningful and transformative ways.
Collaboration: Bridging disciplinary boundaries
Language does not exist in isolation. Our research integrates insights from diverse fields—including cognitive science, artificial intelligence, sociology, psychology, and media studies—to develop a genuinely interdisciplinary understanding of language. This open approach enables us to push the boundaries of linguistic research and its applications.
Breadth: Embracing theoretical diversity
We take a broad and integrative approach to linguistic theory, combining formal and functional frameworks to explore both general and experimental linguistics. Our research spans psycholinguistics and neurolinguistics, shedding light on how language is processed in the mind and brain. We also investigate linguistic complexity across discourse, semantics, syntax, morphology, and phonetics and phonology, while developing empirical resources, such as multilingual corpora and learner databases, that support intelligent linguistic applications.
Application: Making real-world impact
Situated at the intersection of Cantonese, Mandarin and English, Hong Kong provides a unique sociolinguistic environment that positions CityUHK at the forefront of applied linguistics. Our research has far-reaching implications in fields such as translation, language education, forensic linguistics, and AI-driven language technologies. Through these practical applications, we address critical linguistic challenges and contribute to the advancement of global communication and multilingual understanding.
Innovation: Advancing the future of language research
Our undergraduate and postgraduate studies provide a rich interdisciplinary experience that connects theory with practical applications. With particular strengths in psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, and computational linguistics, our courses reflect the evolving landscape of language research in the digital and cognitive age. Students explore how language functions in the mind and brain, employing data-driven and technology-enhanced approaches to linguistic analysis. Whether applying experimental methods, working with large-scale corpora, or tackling challenges in translation and cross-cultural communication, students develop essential skills to navigate today’s complex linguistic environments and to make a meaningful impact in their professional careers.