Forensic Linguistics MA: Career Goals and Cardiff University

The Foundation of Forensic Linguistics

When Halliday wrote, “Language is as it is because of what it has to do,” he opened many avenues in the field of linguistics. One of these avenues was the application of linguistics in a forensic context, which I discovered by chance. This happened two years ago when I saw a poster in my faculty announcing a lecture on this subject matter. Driven by curiosity, I attended, and since that moment, I realized that I would like to dedicate my final year research to the historical development of this branch of linguistics. During my research, my interest was further aroused when I sourced documents relating to forensic linguistics’ applicability to real-world situations.

Thus, I consider the Forensic Linguistics MA at the University of Cardiff because it not only covers the above topics, but it also is a great opportunity to broaden my knowledge, understand the topic as a whole, and improve my personal and professional goals.

Why Cardiff University's MA Program?

I have always maintained an international perspective on my future career, so I am particularly keen to study at the University of Cardiff for several reasons:

• Your community atmosphere and international reputation attract a variety of students, creating a stimulating environment for Master's level study.
• Your reputation for excellence in Forensic Linguistics, thanks to professors such as Dr. Nicci MacLeod.
• The university provides excellent working and recreation facilities, demonstrating a strong commitment to the student body.

Professional Experience and Practical Application

My first internship was as a translator between Spanish-speaking individuals and police officers in the Morgantown Police Department (West Virginia, US) for six months in 2016, while I was studying English Philology at the WVU. This involvement reinforced my enthusiasm for the analysis of written and spoken statements, as well as indicators of truthfulness and deception, and introduced me to a wider variety of people.

Likewise, I was able to experience the effects of applying linguistic analysis in a working environment, which greatly assisted me during my summer course on Forensic Linguistic Analysis at Aston University. Both experiences allowed me to put some of my best qualities into practice.