Contents
- Areas of Work
- Essential Attributes
- Job Opportunities
- Freelance Option
- Courses in Language Studies
- Universities and Training Centers
- Related Career Options for Language Experts
Language careers are currently witnessing a renaissance in India. This scenario is rapidly changing in the face of globalization. From translation to online journalism, a variety of lucrative careers are now available to the students of Indian and foreign languages.
Areas of Work
Language professionals can work in one or more of the following areas:
- Translation (General & Technical)
- Research and Documentation
- Interpretation
- Transcription
- Teaching
General Translation
Excellent writing skills and strong vocabulary in two languages are essential to be a translator. Translating can be a challenging task, as many languages may not share the same syntactical patterns. Some words and phrases may not even have equivalents in the language they are being translated into.
Technical Translation
Translation of contracts, reports and other business documents is becoming a necessity with the entry of multinational in India. Translators can expect to earn between Rs.150 and Rs.300 per page of translation for Indian languages, between Rs.300 and Rs.500 per page for common foreign languages such as French or German and up to Rs.750 per page for Japanese or Arabic.
Research and Documentation
Here, in addition to translating, one must be able to organize and document data.
Interpretation
Unlike translation, an interpreter does not enjoy the advantages of consulting a dictionary when help is most needed. Interpretation is done on the spot, therefore, proficiency in the language concerned must be very high. The translator must be well informed on current affairs and willing to learn lots of technical jargon. General interpretation mainly involves working as a tourist guide specialization is imperative for interpreters at international seminars or meetings where a particular subject – say, economic or income tax – will be discussed in depth. Remuneration depends on individual skill and occasion.
Transcription
Transcription – mainly legal and medical – is fast becoming a lucrative career for language graduates. Medical transcription is the process of translating digitized audio medical records into test form. Medical professionals rely on skilled medical transcriptions to transform spoken words into accurate text records. Familiarity with medical jargon and adaptability in the American accent are essential pre requisites. Salary at the entry level is around Rs.6000.
Teaching
With the world truly becoming a global village, the language teacher is currently in great demand. Language teachers can work with regular schools, colleges or specialized language while preparation of teaching materials such as books and educational CDs is also an option for experienced teachers. Remuneration for language teachers working in educational institutions depends upon a variety of factors such as educational qualification, individual skill and experience is the field. Freelancers can expect a minimum of Rs.60 per hour for teaching Indian languages and Rs.100 for foreign languages, including English.
Essential Attributes
Language professionals must posses the following personal attributes
- Excellent communication skills
- Proficiency in a minimum of two languages
- Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Concentration over long periods of none
Job Opportunities
Job Opportunities
Language graduates are employed in the following sectors
- Educational Institutions
- Embassies
- Cultural Organizations
- Corporate houses
- Travel and tourism
- Export houses
- Publishing houses
- Printing units
- Print and online media
Freelance Option
Freelance and part-time options are available in this field thus making it possible to combine this with another full-time career. Remuneration is excellent and language professionals are paid on an assignment basis. However, work hours are often erratic. Freelancers and part timers are also under constant pressure to meet deadlines.
Courses in Language Studies
Diploma, degree and certificate courses are available in a variety of Indian and foreign languages. These include B.A, M.A., certificate diploma, advanced diploma, teacher’s training and translation programs. The following foreign languages are commonly available for study in India.
- English
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Italian
- Japanese
- Tibetan
- Persian
Universities and Training Centers
The following universities and specialized language training centers offer basic to advanced courses in Indian and foreign languages.
School of Languages, Jawaharlal Nehru University New Mehruli Road, New Delhi – 110067
- B.A (Hons) and MA in French, Russian, German, Persian, Chinese, Arabic, Japanese and Spanish
Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages (CIEFL), Hyderabad – 500007
- Diploma in English Language Teaching
- Certificate in Arabic
- Diploma in Arabic
- Advanced diploma in French’
- Diploma for translators in French
- MA German
- Diploma for translators in German
- Diploma in teaching of German
- MA Russian
- Diploma in Spanish
- Advanced diploma in Spanish
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi – 221 005
- Advanced diploma in French
- MA French
- Postgraduate diploma in Russian
- MA Russian
- MA German
- Postgraduate diploma in German
- Certificate in German
- MA Persian
- Diploma in Persian
- Postgraduate diploma in Chinese
- Diploma in Arabic
- Certificate in Japanese
- Certificate in Indian
University of Delhi, Delhi 110 007
- Diploma in French and German
- Advanced Diploma in French and German
- MA in French and German
- MA Arabic
- MA Persian
- Certificate in Italian
- Certificate in Japanese
- Certificate in Spanish
- Advanced diploma in Russian
- Diploma in Chinese
- Diploma in Arabic
Bharati Vidya Bhavan Jawaharlal Nehru Academy of Languages, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi – 110 001
- Basic to advanced level courses in Arabic, Spanish, Russian, German and French
Alliance Francoise, D 13 South Extension II, New Delhi 110 049, Centers in Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Goa, Hyderabad, Karikal, Pune,. Pondicherry and Thiruvananthapuram
- Basic to advanced courses in French
Max Mueller Bhavan, 3 Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi 110 001.
- Basic to advanced courses in German. Special courses for hotel executives, translators and business professionals
Indo Italian Chamber of Commerce, 232 Dadabhai Naoroji Road, Mumbai – 400 001
- Basic to advanced courses in Italian
Japanese Cultural and Information Centre, 32 Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi -10001.
- Basic to advanced courses in Japanese
International Institute of Tamil Studies, Taramani Campus, Chennai – 600 113
- Basic to advanced courses in Tamil
Eastern Regional Language Centre, Laxmisagar, Bhubaneshwar – 751 006
- Training in Assamese, Bengali and Oriya
Urdu Teaching and Research Centre, Madan Mohan Malviya Marg, Lucknow – 226 001.
Western Regional Language Centre, Deccan College, Pune – 411 006
- Training in Gujarathi, Marathi and Sindhi
Southern Language Language Centre, Manasagangothri, Mysore – 570 006
- Training in Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam
Related Career Options for Language Experts
Language professionals can diversify into the following areas of work.
- Television and radio journalism
- Web content development
- Copy writing
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