Join the LSA

Join the LSA online using a credit card, or to generate an invoice you may return with payment. Student memberships start as low as US$45 per year and regular memberships as low as US$105. If you prefer, you may download a Printable Membership Form.

The Linguistic Society of America is the major professional society in the United States that is exclusively dedicated to the advancement of the scientific study of language. With nearly 4,000 members, the LSA speaks on behalf of the field of linguistics and also serves as an advocate for sound educational and political policies that affect not only professionals and students of language, but virtually all segments of society. Founded in 1924, the LSA makes the case to governments, universities, foundations, and the public to support linguistic research and to see that our scientific discoveries are effectively applied.

Membership Categories and Dues

Student memberships start as low as US$45 per year and regular memberships as low as US$105.  Discounted rates are available for under- or unemployed members and for retired members with at least 20 years of continuous membership.  For a one-time fee, Life memberships exempt you from paying further membership dues and can represent a considerable cost savings over the course of your career.  

Only individuals may become members of the LSA.  Institutions such as libraries may only purchase a subscription to Language.

Renew Membership

Your timely membership renewal helps the LSA cut down on postage and mailing costs, and assists us in our long-range work with LSA members and other linguists, the media, and the public. Check the appropriate box to sign up for automatic membership renewal -- your card will be charged annually, and you will have the opportunity to change or cancel your payment at any time. 

Support the LSA's Advocacy Work

Your membership dues support the LSA as we work to save threatened major funders of linguistics research such as the NEH and the NSF.

Membership Benefits

Members receive four issues of Language (and free online access throughout the year), are eligible to submit abstracts for the LSA Annual Meetings and apply for tuition fellowships to the biennial Linguistic Institute and CoLang. There also is the intangible, but equally important, benefit that comes from knowing that membership supports the LSA's advocacy on behalf of the field and its efforts to educate and inform the public.  A complete list of the benefits LSA membership confers is described in this section. 

LSA Accomplishments in 2017

Wondering what the LSA has accomplished for its members recently?  Take a look!