In 1988, the Department of Linguistics finally became a bona fide, independent department through the efforts of Professor Alan Hudson and other supporters. The Navajo Language Program and Sign Language Interpreter programs were officially integrated into the department during this time as well.

“…discussions had been going on for a considerable period regarding a more appropriate home for the Navajo and Sign Language Interpreter programs.  The nature of the [Linguistics] Department was about to be fundamentally altered by the addition of these two programs that had been undernourished and underappreciated in their previous departments [Modern and Classical Languages and Communicative Disorders, respectively] for many years.” (Bills MS, 1989)