Language is one of the most amazing abilities of humans. It lies at the heart of cognition, communication, culture and creativity and determines who we are and how we think about, and interact with, the world around us. The discipline of Language and Literature in the School of Arts brings together four distinct yet complementary programmes that explore the different forms and functions of language and study how it shapes human thought and identity. While each programme has its own methods and traditions, all engage with language as a fundamental aspect of human experience, whether as an object of scientific inquiry, a medium of literary expression, a gateway to classical civilisations, or a means of communication within and across different communities and societies. Together, the programmes in the discipline provide students with a rich understanding of language, literature, culture and society in both historical and contemporary contexts and promote an understanding of the diverse ways in which people make meaning.