Planning A Degree in Linguistics? Here Are The Top Careers Options For You!
Mentoria
Last Updated: December 2, 2022
Do you find language interesting? Do you wonder how language is just a system of symbols that humans have attached meaning to and yet it’s different for everyone? If your answer is “yes”, you will be excited to learn about the relationship between sound and purpose and how language fluctuates depending on the audience and the context. If this fascinates you then a degree in linguistics is what you need!
We know how the world is becoming increasingly closer now, it has never been more crucial to understand the nuances of numerous languages and the art of communication itself. Here is how linguistics come into action!
Linguistics is the study of languages and the specific ways in which they are used in various social contexts. Linguistics majors often graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree that instructs them on the fundamentals and intricate ideas surrounding language. Phonetics, morphology, syntax, and historical linguistics are a few of the courses that linguists may take. For example “kitab” in Hindi might mean something else in Spanish, understanding this language gap is what linguistics master in.
Linguistic? Is there any scope?
Linguistics as an area of study expands and is thought to be dynamic as new changes take place in any language, as the historical facets of languages and dialects change from old to new. For doing research, offering technology language services, and delivering significant insights on relevant topics, linguists are in high demand. Linguists even seek to detect and conserve endangered languages by conducting field research and putting teaching and learning strategies into place.
You can learn about the many facets of a language by studying linguistics, including speech therapy, sociolinguistics, anthropological applications, psychological factors, and so forth. A master’s degree in linguistics will help you land the best-paying linguist positions anywhere in the world. Types of linguistics are:
- Applied Linguistics
- Sociolinguistics
- Computational Linguistics
- Descriptive Linguistics
- Historical Linguistics
- Dialectology
In contrast to other professional paths, linguistics is open-ended and flexible. Even in a bachelor’s degree program, linguistics can be studied. However, students from all backgrounds are welcome to apply for the MA in Linguistics program if they meet the eligibility requirements (minimum of 50% score in any stream). Nearly all Central Universities in India provide linguistics Ph.D. and M.Phil. research programs. The majority of them also offer linguistics master’s programs. Once you have done that, here are the career options in linguistics!
Career Options In Linguistics
A degree in linguistics is not limited to just being a translator since language is used for everything, careers in all fields are possible with this degree! Some of them are:
The first profession on the list is linguistics itself. A linguist is an expert who studies and assesses various linguistic phenomena. Linguists may focus on a certain language and conduct extensive research on it, or they may focus on a specific aspect of language, such as syntax or history. Many linguists also work for businesses that edit written work, and they can aid with specifics like localization, grammar, and sentence structure.
Both the public and private sectors employ linguists. In the military, forensic science, and even translation, linguists may be needed. The average salary for a Linguist is ₹5,86336 per year in India.
2. Copy editor
A copy editor is a writer who checks the accuracy of written material and copy. Copy editors can edit documents to make them more lucid as well as proofread content for grammar, proper syntax, and sentence structure. Copy editors can work for published media, advertising agencies, or as freelancers. They frequently work for businesses that produce a lot of content or marketing materials. A degree in linguistics is perfect for such a role.
Copy Editor salary in India ranges between ₹ 1.4 Lakhs to ₹ 6.1 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 3.0 Lakhs.
A translator is a linguist who converts communications and written material between two languages. In order to enable communication and offer translations for written documents, oral dialogues, and more, a translator may work for a government agency, a public institution, or in any job that interacts with individuals who speak several languages.
Although some linguists may be multilingual, linguistics encompasses more than just learning to speak other languages. Along with a degree in linguistics, translators and interpreters frequently need to be well-versed in the business or industry they plan to work in. Even deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals might take advantage of sign language interpreters to appreciate their surroundings. They are required everywhere, including in hospitals, courtrooms, and other settings.
The average yearly compensation for translators in India is 3.4 Lakhs, with salaries ranging from 0.6 Lakhs to 8.2 Lakhs.
A foreign language teacher can educate students on vocabulary, written grammar, sentence structure, and speaking pronunciation, all of which are important for learning a new language. You’ll be required to impart to your students a certain level of fluency in a new language as well as knowledge of the language’s history, culture, and other relevant topics.
If linguistics graduates desire to teach English as a foreign or second language, they have an advantage, but they may still need to complete additional teaching training and certification.
The average yearly income for language teachers in India is 3.2 Lakhs, with salaries ranging from 1.1 Lakhs to 7.2 Lakhs.
5. Technical Writer/Copywriter
In the publishing sector, linguists can find employment as journalists or technical writers. The verbal abilities that linguists acquire make them excellent candidates for jobs in publishing, editing, and writing.
A technical writer is a specialist who creates written content for a business or organization on a particular subject. Technical writers can investigate new goods and create written materials like consumer instructions, product specification documents, and training manuals. Technical Writer salary in India ranges between ₹ 3.0 Lakhs to ₹ 13.0 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 5.6 Lakhs.
A writer who produces text for companies and organizations is known as a copywriter. Typically, copywriters create writing that convinces readers to buy a company’s goods or use its services. This can include posts on social media, articles published online, news releases, and promotional materials. Copywriter salary in India ranges between ₹ 2.0 Lakhs to ₹ 10.3 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 4.2 Lakhs.
A lexicographer is a language expert who creates dictionaries, to put it simply. They naturally become fascinated by words and their meanings as a result. Lexicographers also record how words’ meanings evolve and change throughout time. Writing, editing, and compiling dictionaries for print and online publications are all part of a lexicographer’s job description.
Working as a bilingual lexicographer requires a degree in a foreign language, and additional experience—such as teaching or translation—will increase your chances of landing a job. If you like being surrounded by words, this seems like a great career for you!
A lexicographer employed by a publishing company may anticipate making a starting salary of between Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 25,000 per month, which increases with years of expertise.
7. Speech or Language Therapist
Linguists may be qualified for positions as speech or language therapists since they are knowledgeable about languages and how they should be spoken. However, a candidate for this position might need to have some training and experience in healthcare. Your linguistic degree can be combined with a master’s in speech-language pathology. Additionally, you must succeed on the exam and meet the conditions for licensing. There are several different employment duties for speech therapists in India. It entails giving training to those with speech difficulties. A teaching certification may also be required in specific circumstances. The average salary for a Speech Therapist is ₹30482 per year in India.
It might surprise you to learn that the criminal court system has a significant demand for linguists. In their capacity as legal advisors, they offer forensic linguistic skills to assist with problem-solving of all kinds.
To assist law firms, the police, and/or the government in solving crimes, forensic linguists conduct language analysis on emergency calls, suicide letters, threat correspondence, and social media during court hearings. When working with governments, forensic linguists may have to work slightly more erratic hours than the typical nine to five.
Beginning a career in forensic linguistics isn’t always simple; you’ll need a variety of appropriate abilities, credentials, and experiences to get started, and the pay ranges accordingly.
A specialist in the technology sector who utilizes language and computation to address technical problems is known as a computational linguist. Artificial intelligence, machine translation, grammar checking, and other computer features are just a few of the tools computational linguists can use. Many computational linguists are employed by research facilities, academic institutions, or sizable software development firms that create and develop technical products.
You’ll need to learn programming and pursue a master’s degree in computational linguistics or a comparable discipline after earning your undergraduate degree in linguistics. A second language may also be required in specific circumstances. These specialized data scientists analyze human conversation using natural language processing techniques and teach computers to “speak more like people.”
The average salary for a Computational Linguist is ₹40,00000 per year in India
10. Accent Coach
Since the work demands more than just showing someone how to talk with a certain accent, linguistics graduates frequently succeed as accent coaches. It also entails dissecting and imitating speech patterns. Language analysis is therefore involved. Additionally, anyone who wants to learn (or unlearn) an accent outside the entertainment sector can be taught by accent coaches.
Accent coaches, often known as dialect coaches, are essentially acting instructors who concentrate on teaching actors a specific accent. They might also collaborate with directors, performers, and producers to create a brand-new accent that is based on a fictional dialect. Voice and Accent Coach salary in India ranges between ₹ 5.1 Lakhs to ₹ 7.5 Lakhs with an average annual salary of ₹ 5.9 Lakhs.
Linguists are aware of the power of language and how various words or phrases can elicit various feelings, ideas, and actions. They can succeed in the advertising industry thanks to this information. They will put their training to action in this fast-paced vocation by developing marketing and advertising campaigns for various businesses.
The average yearly income for an advertising manager in India is 5.4 lakhs, with salaries ranging from 2.3 lakhs to 19.8 lakhs.
Places Where You Can Work After Studying Linguistics!
It is simple to claim that the study of linguistics is broad given the abundance of employment options available to graduates and experts in the area. Linguistics is the way to go nowadays if digital businesses want people from all over the world to become adjusted and accepted in the ecosystem. Here are some of the places where a linguistic degree can help!
- Elementary and secondary schools
- Universities and colleges
- Media houses
- Publishing companies
- Government services
(Investigation Agencies, Department of Defence)
- International Organizations
- Speech/language rehabilitation centers
- Sign language cell
- Language Institutions
- Research Institutions
Help Yourself Out!
So put your learning hat on and start your linguistic journey. Hungry for knowledge? Visit the Knowledge Gateway at Mentoria! Join Mentoria today to have unlimited access to the Knowledge Gateway! If you are still confused with where to get your linguistic degree from, let us help you out- Mentoria’s career counseling and mentoring sessions can help you untangle some knots. Our goal is to assist you in thriving in life, regardless of where you are or what you choose to do.
