Languages and Cultures – Faculty of Arts and Science

“To imagine a language,” said the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, “is to imagine a way of life.” Studying languages can unlock fascinating new worlds, giving you access to different literatures and cultures. And a good sound knowledge of a foreign language makes it easier to travel, live and work in non-English-speaking countries.

At Queen’s, students with an interest in languages can examine their foundations and formations in a program in Languages, Literatures and Cultures. Or they can pursue a program in French Studies learning to use the language and to appreciate its culture and literature. There are similar programs for German, Italian and Hispanic Studies. We also regularly offer courses in Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, Mohawk and Japanese and other languages. If you are so inclined you can study Ancient Greek or Latin. But you don’t need to be in a language program to study languages. Any student can benefit greatly from taking language courses, whether to fulfill program requirements for a concentration in Global Development Studies, to enhance their career prospects, or purely for personal interest.