Created from a specialization course in 1975, the Postgraduate Program in Language, Literature, and Related Fields (PPGL) at the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), in the second semester of 1976, after the success of the specialization course, had its first Master’s class, covering the areas of Linguistics and Literary Theory, which were recognized by the Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) in 1980. With regard to doctoral studies, the Doctorate in Linguistics was recognized in 1990, followed by the Doctorate in Literary Theory in 1996.

The PPGL at UFPE was one of the first programs in the field of language and literature to be established in the Northeast and North regions of Brazil. In its nearly 50 years of existence, it has developed and consolidated a long tradition of research in its areas of concentration. Throughout its history, the program has attracted students from various states, such as Bahia, Alagoas, Amazonas, Roraima, Piauí, Ceará, Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, the Federal District, Pará, among others, in addition to receiving students from other countries. As a result of the Program’s efforts and investment in research and teaching, by December 2024, 937 Master’s dissertations and 382 Doctoral theses had been defended, totaling 1,319 final projects. Many of the Program’s graduates are teaching at public or private institutions of higher education or basic education. The formation of a critical mass, marked by the diversity of research in various subareas of Linguistics and Literary Studies (the current nomenclature of the area of concentration), is defined as a legitimate contribution to the field of Language and Literature, reinvigorating the Program’s mission at the national level.

In 2025, there are 44 accredited faculty members in the Program, of whom 37 are permanent, 6 are collaborators, and 1 is temporary (an exclusive category under UFPE Institutional Regulations). Of the total faculty, 19 work in the area of Literary Studies and 25 in the area of Linguistics. All participate in at least one Research Group registered in the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) Research Group Directory and are linked to a maximum of two lines of research in the program. Five of the faculty members are CNPq Researchers, with Research Productivity/CNPq grants, levels 1D and 1E. Each professor has at least one research project registered with the University Chambers and/or approved by funding agencies.