World Languages Programs develop a students’ ability to communicate in the languages they choose to study.
Our dedicated faculty uses their experience to instill an understanding of and appreciation
for world cultures through the study of language, linguistics, civilization, literature and
other expressions, enlarging students’ understanding in context of the global environment.
Anti-racism, Equity, and Social Justice Mission Statement
The World Languages Programs at West Virginia University values the diversity of individuals within and across the languages and cultures they identify with and represent. We aim to promote an inclusive atmosphere of mutual respect among faculty, staff, students, and community members regardless of age, culture, educational credentials, ethnicity, gender, language, physical and mental ability, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or worldview.
Our mission revolves around language and culture—which are integral parts of an individual's identity—and supports the learning, understanding, and appreciation of world languages from a variety of perspectives—scientific, cultural, social, and educational. We believe all varieties of human language are equally systematic, valuable, and deserving of respect. Language, literature, and linguistic studies seek to increase understanding across geographic, cultural, and linguistic boundaries, reflecting our belief that an increased understanding of a culture or language other than one's own offers invaluable benefits to an individual as well as society at large. Because linguistics takes as a central concern similarities and differences within and across languages, diversity of linguistic knowledge and experience is crucial to the foundations of the field. We affirm that linguistic and cultural diversity and inclusion are embedded in the very fabric of what we do and are vital to all scholarly and community activity within our program.