Language Occupations
Now you may be wondering what the difference is between a translator and an interpreter and between language teacher and a linguist. Also, what can you do if you love languages but are not quite fluent (yet). For the first three you'll need an in-depth knowledge of one or more foreign languages. Linguists, on the other hand, don't necessarily need to speak foreign languages, but such knowledge can be useful for them.We'll start with Linguistics
Linguists work for a range of organizations, including universities and colleges, high tech companies, research institutions, consulting firms, government, and the military. It's the scientific study of language. Linguists study the nature and characteristics of human language.
Theoretical linguistics
- Phonetics, the study of the physical sounds of languages, particularly the production and perception of those sounds.
- Phonology, the study of how sounds are organized and used in languages to encode meaning.
- Morphology, the study of the internal structure of words.
- Syntax, the study of the rules that govern the way the words in a sentence come together.
- Semantics, the study of meaning.
- Pragmatics, the study of the way language can communicate more than is explicitly stated.
Applied linguistics
- Language acquisition, the study how we acquire our native language (first language acquistion), and how we learn other languages (second language acquisition).
- Psycholinguistics, the study of the connection between thinking and the use of language.
- Neurolinguistics, the study of the neural mechanisms involved in the comprehension, production and abstract knowledge of language.
- Sociolinguistics, the study of the relationship between language and society.
- Historical linguistics, the study of the origin of words (also known as diachronic linguisitcs or philology).
- Anthropological linguistics, the study of the relationship between language and culture.
- Discourse analysis, the study of language in the context of conversation.
The art of Translation
Translators translate written material from one language to another. The kind of material involved may include product manuals, business reports, business correspondence, legal documents, websites, subtitles for films, song lyrics, and literature. To fill this role, you need the ability to write and express yourself very well in the target languages.
Translation is best if you are working with your native language and you have a near-native knowledge of the source language. Fluency in speaking the source language is not essential, but you definitely need an excellent understanding of the written version of the source language. Another key is to have a deep understanding of culture of the people who speak the source language.
Many translators are self-employed and find clients themselves, and/or work for translation agencies, who find clients and arrange payment. There are also positions for in-house translators in some large organizations.
Interpreting
Interpreters work with the spoken word at conferences, meetings, trials, hospitals and anywhere else that interpretation is needed. Interpreters have to be able to interpret both to and from their native language without using dictionaries or other references materials. They also have to be very good at listening and remembering what has been said in one language while simultaneously or consecutively providing a translation in another language. A good knowledge of the subjects under discussion is also essential.
Many interpreters are self-employed and find clients themselves, and/or work for agencies, who find the clients and handle payments. There are also positions for interpreters in some large organizations, such as the United Nations, governments and the military.
Language teaching and training
Language teaching may involve teaching a foreign language to students who share the same native language as you, or teaching your own language to speakers of other languages. Language teachers work in a variety of educational establishments from primary/elementary schools to universities and colleges.
There are many paths into language teaching: some people get a degree in a language that interests them, then acquire a postgraduate qualification in teaching; some study education at undergraduate level; some start working as a teaching assistant, then later acquire professional teaching qualifications; some do some teaching while undertaking research.
Those teaching a foreign language need a near-native ability in that language, while a knowledge of other languages can be useful when teaching your native language to foreign students, especially to beginners.
