Is there such a thing as too many languages for comp lit phd?

[crazypoinsonous]

I know that most comp lit PhD programs require around four languages, but I have a feeling that they also expect us to have a very solid background in every one of its literature. If I have more languages than expected when applying, will they consider me as not specialized enough? (Although I have undergraduate majors in 2 of the languages) Will it an advantage or a disadvantage? Will they think that I spread myself too thin, especially because it is impossible to write a dissertation that includes all of the languages and its literature?

Edited November 13, 2016 by crazypoinsonous

[poliscar]

No, because you will specify your interests in your SoP. Now if you try to argue that you're going to research in 5 languages, and you comes across as disorganized or confused, it will backfire. However I don't think there is anything innately disadvantageous about having more than the expected number of languages. Moreover, I don't think programs expect you to have a background in the literature of all your languages. Once again, you will demonstrate a certain level of knowledge and familiarity in your SoP (and writing sample), but they aren't making assumptions beyond that. You will complete coursework in your selected languages/literatures, and read fairly deeply for a field/qualifying exam—they're not expecting you to come in fully trained. 

[ExponentialDecay]

I'm not sure what you're asking. Are you under the impression that knowing 5 languages obligates you to do research across 5 national literatures? That isn't the case. Most humanities scholars, even those in national departments, know a few languages - comes with the territory - but do research primarily in one. The 4 languages required are typically your two primary languages that you will do substantive research in, and then 2 (or more) that are necessary for the research process but aren't the focus of your scholarship, like Latin for a Medieval scholar, or tangentially relevant, like the customary French and German. Imho more than 2 primary languages is too much, unless they are very closely related in a cultural as well as linguistic sense (e.g. German, Yiddish, and Hebrew). 

[crazypoinsonous]

i think my question can be asked positively and negatively: 

positive phrasing: does being fluent in, let's say, 7 languages give you a competitive edge in application?

negative phrasing: does knowing 7 languages make people think that you are not focused enough/ spreading yourself too thing?

[poliscar]

4 hours ago, crazypoinsonous said:

i think my question can be asked positively and negatively: 

positive phrasing: does being fluent in, let's say, 7 languages give you a competitive edge in application?

negative phrasing: does knowing 7 languages make people think that you are not focused enough/ spreading yourself too thing?

No, and no.

Committees care about the case you make for your proposed research, not the number of languages you know. Now if you're some sort of Comparative Medievalist, and you can make an argument for knowing 7 languages, go for it. However, it's not going to elevate you above someone proposing an equally compelling project involving 2-3 languages. 

The same goes for any sort of negative impact. If you submit a ridiculous SoP that tries to link all 7 languages in a nebulous fashion, you're going to get rejections—not because of the number of languages, per se, but because of a lack of coherence. Likewise, you could propose a very compelling and coherent area of research involving 2-3 of those 7 languages, and have far more success. This wouldn't really have anything to do with the other 4-5 languages. Rather, it would be a result of the argument you made for the relationships between the 2-3 languages you chose to focus on. 

Honestly, to be blunt and succinct, no one cares how many languages you know if you're not doing something interesting with them. Focus on the "interesting."

[crazypoinsonous]

alright, thanks everyone!

I think that I have 2 languages as my primary focus, but my project also uses several other languages that I know due to its comparative nature. That's why I am asking.

Thanks again