Getting a major in the language you already speak?

Question

I want to major in a language that I already speak (which is not English). However, I'm a citizen of that country, and lived there until I came to the US when I was around 10. I speak that language pretty fluently, as well as English. However, I want to be a translator of that language and English. I thought it would be better if I had a major in the language that I speak, even though I speak it already, because I thought it would look better when I'm getting the job, to let the employer know that I really know my language.

However, is it really worth it to major in the language you already speak? I thought it would be, because Americans major in English. But people disagree that it's a waste of time if I major in the language I already speak. Should I maybe double major in my language and English? Or should I major in English, then minor in the other? Would it be better if I not major/minor in my language at all since I can write, read, etc?

Please give me your thoughts!

Answer 1

First, congratulations on choosing a very important and rewarding career!

Here's what you need to know. There are so many (well-paid!) opportunities out there for translators / interpreters these days, but certification is essential, and it is not easy to achieve. You would think that fluency in two languages would be enough, but it is not.

You are absolutely correct in suspecting that a major in your non-English language is going to be most helpful to you in the long run.

If you do not attend one of the universities below as an undergraduate, you are going to have to pursue graduate work at one of them after you earn your BA. These are the schools that offer ATA-certified T&I (translation and interpretation) programs that will help you tremendously in preparing for ATA certification.

Most of these programs require at least 300-level (third year) courses in the non-English language of your specialization. In addition, any coursework you take in English would be fine (especially things like Business and Administrative Writing), but courses in Linguistics will be even more important.

Here is the list of colleges with approved T&! programs. You would be wise to do an internet search on each program's requirements, and even to correspond with the program directors in order to get more specific information.

I have also included the ATA website below. There is a TON of information there that you will find to be very helpful.

I wish you every success!

American University, Washington, DC

Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona

Bellevue Community College, Translation and Interpretation Institute, Bellevue, Washington

Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York

Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah

California State University-Long Beach, Long Beach, California

Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida

Florida International University, Miami, Florida

Gallaudet University, Washington, DC

George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia

Georgetown University, Washington, DC

Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia

Hunter College, New York, New York

Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana

Iowa University, Ames, Iowa

James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virgina

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio

Marygrove College, Detroit, Michigan

Marymount-Manhattan College, New York City, New York

Miami Dade College, Miami, Florida

Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey

Monterey Institute of International Studies, Monterey, California

National Hispanic University, San Jose, California

New York University, New York City, New York

Ohio State, Slavic & East-European Languages & Literature, Columbus, Ohio

Pima Community College, Pima, California

Pittsburgh University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Indiana

Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey

San Diego State University, San Diego, California

State University of New York-Albany, Albany, New York

Southern California School in Interpretation, Los Angeles, CA

University of Arizona, Summer Institute of Court Interpreting, Tucson, Arizona

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas

University of California, San Diego Extension, San Diego, California

University of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina

University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii

University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts

University of Nebraska-Kearney, Kearney, Nebraska

University of North Carolina-Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina

University of Texas-El Paso, El Paso, Texas

University of Texas-Dallas, Dallas, Texas

University of Washington, Seattle, WA

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, North Carolina

Answer 2

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Answer 3

What kind of translation work are you interested in? I've worked with translators in the medical field, and they need a good vocabulary in medical terminology. Just speaking the language isn't enough for this - the translator needs to know some special vocabulary and understand some of the issues involved in order to translate correctly. I suspect that other fields also have specialized vocabulary as well, so a major that would familiarize you with that vocabulary would be a good choice, since you already know the basic language.

Answer 4

If you are looking for a job as a translator, and you already speak the language you wish to translate, and speak English, the mere fact of your citizenship should be proof enough that you speak the language. Moreover, most candidates for translation jobs are not taken on the strength of credentials, but rather given material to translate to see how well they do and how quickly they can do it.

Answer 5

Why don't you major in translation? only a few colleges offer this major though. But if you don't like it, it would be better if you major in your second language (the one that is not English) especially if you have an American citizenship.