NEWS
College Features
- Publish Date：2025-01-21
NYCU FL Unveils Two New Divisions: Interdisciplinary Humanities and Language Science, Pioneering Career Opportunities in Emerging Fields
(Photo credit: N&M Films)
Translated by Szu-Yung Huang
Edited by Chance Lai
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Edited by Chance Lai
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National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University’s (NYCU) Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures (FL) is set to launch two groundbreaking divisions—“Interdisciplinary Humanities” and “Language Science”—as part of its 2025 admissions. These innovative offerings aim to diversify learning opportunities and redefine foreign language education. The initiative breaks free from traditional frameworks centered on Western literature and language translation, extending the application of linguistics to cutting-edge fields like artificial intelligence (AI) and speech therapy.
Flexible Courses for Multidisciplinary Learning
NYCU FL is the only department in Taiwan that equally emphasizes literature and linguistics. Associate Professor Hsiu-Chen Daphne Liao, Chair of the Department, announced that the Interdisciplinary Humanities Division will admit 17 students, while the Language Science Division will begin with an exploratory enrollment of 10 students.
To meet evolving societal demands, the Language Science Division has reduced required courses to a minimum, allowing students to design personalized study plans rooted in foundational linguistics. Core courses, such as Introduction to Linguistics and Introduction to Computing, equip students with essential skills at the intersection of language and technology.
“Linguistics not only deciphers human speech, text, and lip movements but is also a scientific field grounded in empirical research,” noted Liao. The curriculum spans areas such as auditory science, phonetics, and phonology. Graduates can pursue careers in speech therapy or combine programming skills to delve into natural language processing (NLP) and large language model (LLM) research and applications.
Flexible Courses for Multidisciplinary Learning
NYCU FL is the only department in Taiwan that equally emphasizes literature and linguistics. Associate Professor Hsiu-Chen Daphne Liao, Chair of the Department, announced that the Interdisciplinary Humanities Division will admit 17 students, while the Language Science Division will begin with an exploratory enrollment of 10 students.
To meet evolving societal demands, the Language Science Division has reduced required courses to a minimum, allowing students to design personalized study plans rooted in foundational linguistics. Core courses, such as Introduction to Linguistics and Introduction to Computing, equip students with essential skills at the intersection of language and technology.
“Linguistics not only deciphers human speech, text, and lip movements but is also a scientific field grounded in empirical research,” noted Liao. The curriculum spans areas such as auditory science, phonetics, and phonology. Graduates can pursue careers in speech therapy or combine programming skills to delve into natural language processing (NLP) and large language model (LLM) research and applications.
The practical applications of linguistics are vast, exemplified during the COVID-19 pandemic when mask-wearing impacted children’s pronunciation and lip-reading skills. (Photo credit: RyanKing999)From Speech Therapy to Customer Analytics: Expanding Linguistic Horizons
Linguistics provided analytical tools to address these challenges. The rise of LLMs has also reshaped industries like banking and customer service, where AI models are trained using linguistic expertise to analyze customer behavior and optimize interactions.
“Students will be amazed to discover the deep connections between language and technology, with applications far exceeding their expectations,” Liao remarked. To support this vision, the department has introduced an Auditory Science Program. It plans to offer a Linguistics and AI Credit Program, enabling students to master language knowledge while staying ahead of technological advancements and enhancing their employability.
Blending Humanities with Technology: A Paradigm Shift in Education
The AI Chat systems currently in use are powered by Large Language Models, exemplifying the integration of linguistics and AI development. (Photo credit: Getty Images)Dean of Academic Affairs, Professor Yong-Sheng Chen, emphasized that this reform aims to infuse humanities education with STEM perspectives, offering fresh learning approaches. He highlighted that behind technologies like ChatGPT lies the convergence of language and humanities knowledge—precisely the hallmark of the new divisions. The university will actively promote these innovative programs through admissions briefings, showcasing the vast potential of linguistics in the tech-driven job market.
With this pioneering reform, NYCU FL is reshaping traditional foreign language education and leveraging the strengths of both humanities and STEM. The department’s forward-looking approach empowers students to navigate diverse learning pathways and seize opportunities in the digital age. Moving forward, it will continue expanding the applications of linguistics, equipping students to thrive in the ever-evolving tech landscape and turning knowledge into real-world impact.
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