Linguist - How to become a Linguist

Linguists are professionals who study and explore all aspects of ancient and modern languages. They use scientific techniques to work with meanings, sounds, and origins of spoken and written words. Lexicographers compile definitions into dictionaries. The duties of linguists depend on the company for which he or she works. One of these duties may be to act as an interpreter or translator.

Linguists have many job scopes in many fields after its completion. They must have a good educational background. 

Linguists Eligibility

The minimum educational qualification for becoming Linguists is Bachelor's Degree and knowledge of at least two languages.

Linguists Required Skills

• Linguists should be able to apply linguistic analysis to evaluate specific theoretical proposals; compare two or more arguments that have different conclusions to a specific issue or problem.
• They should be able to understand the role of assumptions in argumentation and be able to analyze complex linguistic patterns.
• They should be known multi-languages, as they have to translate and deals with different languages from place to place.
• They also possess skills like non-verbal communications/body language, the order of priorities, patterns of interpersonal relationships and approaches to carrying out tasks.

How to become a Linguists?

One has to follow below-given steps for becoming Linguists

Step 1
After passing their 12^th class students have to get admission in Bachelor Degree as it is considered a basic requirement for many linguistic careers. Some of Linguists courses are given below.

Degree/Diploma Courses:

• B.A. (Hons.) (Linguistics)
• Diploma in Linguistics
• Advanced Diploma in Applied Linguistics

Step 2
Some of the organisations demand a Master's Degree and in advanced research careers usually require a PhD; for interpreters and translators, a professional certificate or other specialized training may be necessary. Therefore, after passing graduation they can go for further higher degrees for having better positions in the company. Some of the postgraduate courses are given as follows.

Postgraduate Courses:

• M.A. (Applied Linguistics)
• M.A. (Linguistics)
• M.Phil. (Linguistics)
• PhD (Linguistics)

Institutes offering Courses for Linguists

• University of Delhi (DU), Delhi
• Department of Linguistics, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore
• Department of Linguistics, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram
• Department of Linguistics, University of Calcutta, Kolkata

Linguists Job Description
Linguists are the bridge between peoples of different language backgrounds. Their job duties vary depending on where they work. They may work in courts, interpreting the proceedings between the court officials and people whose English skills are limited; in hospitals, interpreting between doctors and patients and translating vital forms and information; or even as tour guides, acting as language and cultural experts for visiting foreign nationals.

Linguists Career Prospects 
There are many career options after passing Linguistics courses. But before preparing for a career in linguistics, one requires first to decide on which position one wants to aim for. Some of the cases are given below.

• Language Researchers and Analysts, who work for tech companies, government agencies and various other types of firms, typically hold a bachelor's or master's degree in linguistics.
• Professors of linguistics and other advanced researchers in academia and industry normally need a PhD.
• These types of linguists, who study the structures and functions of language, may not need to become fluent in any languages other than English for their work. However, undergraduate and graduate programs in linguistics generally require knowledge of at least one foreign language.

Linguists Salary

The monthly salary of Linguists mainly depends on their position and their working place. It also varies from their experiences and educational qualifications. Their positions and salary differences are given below.

• Assistant Professor (Linguistics): Rs.15,600 to Rs.39,100 per month
• Research Investigator: Rs.8000 (initially per month)
• Assistant Manager/Manager (Linguistics): Rs.17,100 to Rs.33,200 per month