Disclaimer: I dont have a graduate degree or even a CS degree, but I have done language design and implementation. I doubt that you will find a program in language design per se. You should already know the mechanics of language implementation: parsers, code generators, virtual machines, etc. I think the design of general purpose languages has converged on a few design schemes: static typing like Java, dynamic like Python, functional. Granted that it is possible to make huge improvements in Java and other mainstream languages, I think it might make sense to pick an area where most languages dont do it right, such as concurrency, and graft it on to an existing language. Even if your real interest is in the design of languages, I think you need to pick a goal for all this study. Given that, any good program with one or more professors that are working in your area of interest will work for you.
Hey thanx Russell...yup, concurrency definitely seems to be one of the "hot" issue wrt language design; the thing is, I was hoping I could be in an environment(academic or otherwise) with like-minded people where I could be in the midst of good ideas and also position myself well for commercial work in the field; therefore, still looking out for academic programs...Thanks again though.
That was what I was suggesting. A few years ago I was very interested in language design from the perspective of generative programming and type system. I did an extensive literature search, reading the papers and all that. as a side effect I found out which university departments were actively exploring what I was interested in. Out popped Don Batory at U Texas, Krzystof Czarnecki, and work done at CMU and MIT. I recommend this as a way to focus in on what you are interested in and who to work with.
