About

 

The Linguistic Society of America

Advancing the scientific study of language

Who we are

The Linguistic Society of America (LSA), founded in 1924, is the leading U.S. professional organization dedicated to advancing the scientific study of language. We are teaching and research professors, data scientists, Natural Language Processing and Understanding experts, K-12 teachers, community language revitalization specialists, language documentarians, UX researchers, non-profit owners, translators, and software engineers.


To learn more detailed information regarding LSA’s leadership structure; commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field; ethics in language studies; and LSA honors and awards, navigate the menu to the left.
 

How many languages do you speak?

Linguistics is actually not about learning to speak lots of languages (although some of our members do). Rather, linguistics is the scientific study of language. We use systematic data collection and analysis to explore the unconscious knowledge humans have about language, the general and specific structures of language, and how languages impact social interaction. Our work includes the study of languages in all of the major -- and many of the minor -- language families of the world. Here are some of them:

 

Languages of the LSA

Map of world in light blue, with darker blue dots showing where the languages LSA members study are spoken. Pattern shows dense dots in North America, Central America, the Carribean, northern regions of South America, Europe, the Middle East and Indian subcontent, archipelegos around Indonesia, and parts of Australia. Scattered dots in other aeas as well.


What we do

Advance language research, policy, teaching and technology

With members employed across academia, industry, government, and the non-profit sector, the LSA convenes the researchers and practitioners shaping the future of language science, AI, and communication technologies. 

Publish cutting edge research

The LSA publishes four open access journals, each disseminating state-of-the-art, peer-reviewed reseach. 
 
Journal - Language - banner image with buff background, the words "LANGUAGE: A journal of the Linguistic Society of America" in the midde, and a pattern of tiles in muted colors of blue, brick red, and golden rod yellow on the right and left edges

Journal banner - dark blue background with the words "Phonological Data & Analysis" in white, grey geen, and light blue. On the left, the letters P, D, and A are arranged as an interlocking emblem

Journal Banner - rust red background with letters in white saying "Semantics and Pragmatics" with the letters S and P arranged as an interlocking emblem.

Journal banner with dark blue batik like map of the world on the left, and then a white background with the words "JBLAC: Journal of Black Language and Culture" in bold blue letters
 

Provide professional development

The LSA offers opportunities for continuing professional development both in person and virtually. At the LSA Annual Meeting, which is the only event that brings linguists from every specialty area, subdisciplinary field, and employment sector, together in one place. Participants share the latest findings, methods, and theoretical developments in language science. The LEXING Symposium, an anchor event of the Annual Meeting, provides dynamic opportunities for linguists working in industry, non-profits, and government to share their work, gain skills to advance their careers, and build their professional networks. 

The LSA also offers year-round virtual professional development opportunities through webinars, presidential forums, and career development workshops. Members can access an archive of Annual Meeting and virtual programming recordings through the LSA Resource Hub. Recent topics have included:
 
  • Meet the author of 'Verbs of Perception: A Quantitative Typological Study
  • Creole and Indigenous Voices of North America
  • Demographics in Linguistic Research: The Sex/Gender Question
  • LSA Presidential Research Forum - Tutorial on Logical Phonology
  • Applying to Grad School: Perspective from a First-Gen Grad Student
  • Mastering Your First 20-Minute Talk: Strategies for LSA Annual Meeting Presenters
  • The Wikipedia Assignment: How Students and Faculty Are Shaping Public Understanding of Linguistics