Free Personal Statement On Cognitive Linguistics Program

The scientific study of linguistics has many applications in the practical world. The basis of civilization is the unique ability for highly ordered communication and the ability to transmit knowledge through the force of language. Communication and transmission of knowledge is not unique to human beings, however, humans have developed and organized themselves around this ability for language and the levels of complexity seen in interactions is hitherto unknown in any other species. Human brains develop with an innate ability to create meaningful communications and at the same time language acquisition alters and develops the brains physiology. The science of language and language acquisition is a fascinating area of research and modern neuroimaging techniques provide us with visual maps of the changes that take place in the brain with language.
Linguistics has captured my interest from a very early age due to the ubiquity of language in the human experience. While studying for my Mater’s degree at the King Abdul Aziz University in Saudi Arabia, I had the opportunity to study with many excellent professors and was exposed to a wide range of theoretical background in linguistics. Structuralism, generativism, functionalism, and cognitive linguistics all attempt to explain the processes of language acquisition and development. Cognitive linguistics is particularly interesting to me because it more specifically attempts to integrate modern scientific concepts and techniques into the understanding of language. Cognitive linguistics does not look at language as a tool that we use, but rather, is more interested in the processes that go on in the mind in order to create meaning the language.
With my strong background in theoretical linguistics, I would like to continue my studies and broaden my horizons to explore the vast areas of scientific linguistics. My theoretical base provides me with excellent grounding from where I can continue the development of the field and conduct research in relevant areas that attract my interest. Collaborative research opportunities abound in this area, and relevant fields to conduct collaboration with may include psychology, medicine, embryology, speech pathology, education, and many others. Further research into linguistics has the potential to solve a host of problems related both the individual mind, and the collective organization of a group.
Cognitive linguistics provides much fertile area for research. Cognitive linguistics may be approached from many angles and the understanding of modularity of language and semantic development is shaped by the approach. Behavioral and evolutionary explanations for language development interest me due to the elegance of process. Revealing the ways that human development occurs in conjunction with language and how processes act upon each other can teach us many things both scientifically and artistically. The development of cognition and perception in relation to language is another area of potential research that would have benefits in multiple fields such as psychology and social work. Linguistics is also part of an individuals personality and fertile research ground would be explorations of the symbiosis between personality and language.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will provide me with a full scholarship to cover my tuition and living expenses while I pursue my studies in the United States. Studying in the United States and at your University specifically will provide me with access to world-renowned faculty, excellent library resources, and amazing opportunities for collaborative research, as well as unparalleled research facilities. Continuing my academic and professional development in your University will provide me with the highest standard of education in the world. The challenges will be many and intense, but I am ready to face them in order to succeed and provide contributions to the field of linguistics as well as the faculty in the linguistics department.
My long-term goal will be to return to Saudi Arabia after my studies in order to serve my nation in higher education. My dreams are to improve the quality of the education system in my country by imparting the knowledge I have gained from outside to students of all levels. Furthermore, I would like to continue research into areas of linguistics in order to serve humanity broadly and contribute to the understanding of mankind and the universal processes of language development.