Career Education in Linguistics
Undergraduate and Graduate degree and certificate programs
Diplomas, Certificates, and Associate Degrees
Most certificate programs in linguistics are designed for students who want to teach English as a second language. Course requirements average twenty credit hours, and qualified candidates must meet the prerequisites of the administering institution. Course completion requirements and completion time vary depending on the educational institution, transferable credits, and the learning pace of the student.
Bachelor's Degree
A bachelor's degree in linguistics develops many core skills that future professionals will use to study language and communication. A degree in linguistics will require degree specific classes such as teaching English as a second language, general linguistics, phonics, and computational linguistics.
In addition, most bachelor's degree programs expose students to a wide array of courses in the arts and humanities. Those courses may include mathematics, literature, science, fine arts and a variety of electives. Therefore, colleges and universities graduate students who cannot only understand multiple languages, but can enjoy conversations of substance. These well-rounded individuals can take their role in any number of professional settings.
The required time to obtain an online degree in linguistics varies depending on the educational institution, transferable credits, and the learning pace set by the student. Many linguistics majors complete their bachelor's degree in about four years.
Master's Degree
Master's degree programs in linguistics are designed to enhance a student's research and teaching skills. Most programs require applicants to demonstrate a strong proficiency in English composition. Depending on your focus, areas of study may include additional foreign language study, advanced linguistics study, advanced English as a second language study, social and cognitive linguistics, historical linguistics, and advanced analysis.
Many master's degree programs require students to write and present a master's thesis, which allows each student to explore a particular topic of interest in great depth. Course completion requirements and completion time vary depending on the educational institution, transferable credits, and the learning pace of the student. Many full-time master's candidates complete their programs in about two years, while part-time students often take four or five years of participation to graduate.
Doctorate Level Degrees
Doctorate level programs in linguistics typically place emphasis on advanced linguistic theory, computational linguistics, and application. By the time they enter these Ph.D. programs, students often possess strong comprehension of one or more foreign languages. Many doctoral candidates enter programs to pursue a career as a tenured faculty member at a college or university.
Doctorate programs require students to research and present a dissertation on an innovative area of linguistics. Many dissertations have resulted in significant breakthroughs in technology or social awareness, especially as computers have helped to reduce the time required to record and catalog sounds.
Course completion requirements and completion time vary depending on the educational institution, transferable credits, and the learning pace of the student. Full time doctoral candidates can complete their programs in two to three years, while many part time students pursue their degrees over many years while still teaching or working at full-time jobs.
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Career Spotlight: Interpreters and Translators
U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Options and ideas for your future
Interpreters and translators are vital in today's military and society in general. These language specialists do more than just translate words — they relay concepts and ideas between languages. So ... if you're an excellent communicator and you enjoy foreign languages and cultures, you should consider a career as an interpreter or translator.
Interpreters must be able to focus, understand what is communicated in both languages, and express thoughts and ideas clearly. Strong research and analytical skills, mental dexterity, and an exceptional memory also are important.
Translators also convert written materials from one language into another. They must have excellent writing and analytical ability. Because the documents they translate must be flawless , they also need good editing skills. Translating involves more than replacing a word with its equivalent in another language; sentences and ideas must be manipulated to flow with the same coherence as those in the source document so that the translation reads as though it originated in the target language.
Working conditions
Working environments of interpreters and translators vary. Interpreters work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, courtrooms, and conference centers. They may also be required to travel to the site &emdash; whether it is in a neighboring town or on the other side of the world &emdash; where their services are needed. Translators often work alone, and they must frequently perform under the pressure of deadlines and tight schedules.
Qualifications
The educational backgrounds of interpreters and translators varies. Knowing a language in addition to a native language is essential. Although a bachelor's degree is often required, interpreters and translators note that it is acceptable to major in something other than a language. Your military experiences such as time abroad engaging in direct contact with foreign cultures, can certain help prepare you for this career.
There is no single form of certification required for interpreters and translators in the United States, but there are a variety of different tests that workers can voluntarily take to demonstrate proficiency. The American Translators Association provides accreditation in more than 24 language combinations for its members; other options include a certification program offered by The Translators and Interpreters Guild. Many interpreters are not certified. Federal courts have certification for Spanish, Navajo, and Haitian Creole interpreters, and many state and municipal courts offer their own forms of certification. The National Association of Judiciary Interpreters and Translators also offers certification for court interpreting.
Future outlook
Interpreters and translators held about 31,000 jobs in 2004. However, the actual number of interpreters and translators is significantly higher because many work in the occupation only sporadically. Interpreters and translators are employed in a variety of industries, reflecting the diversity of employment options in the field. About 4,600 interpreters and translators are self-employed. Many who freelance in the occupation work only part time, relying on other sources of income to supplement earnings from interpreting or translation.
Salary
Earnings depend on language, subject matter, skill, experience, education, certification, type of employer, and salaries of interpreters and translators can vary widely. Interpreters and translators with language skills &emdash; who are in high demand &emdash; often have higher earnings. Interpreters and translators with specialized expertise, such as those working in software localization, also generally command higher rates. Individuals classified as language specialists for the federal government earned an average of $71,625 annually in 2005. In addition the Military will pay a bonus of up to $12,000 a year for servicemembers who are proficient in foreign languages.
Employment of interpreters and translators is projected to increase faster than the average for all occupations over the 2004-14 period, reflecting strong growth in the industries employing interpreters and translators. Higher demand for interpreters and translators in recent years has resulted directly from the broadening of international ties and the increase in the number of foreign language speakers in the United States. In addition, current events and changing political environments, often difficult to foresee, will increase the need for persons who can work with other languages. For example, homeland security needs are expected to drive increasing demand for interpreters and translators of Middle Eastern and North African languages, primarily in federal government agencies such as the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security.
2006-11-29 04:40:48
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answer #4
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answered by Nuala 3
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