Languages

The Bible declares that God confused the language of the world at the Tower of Babel; and that many of the world’s conflicts are born from this event. Even in today’s communications-saturated world, cultural misunderstanding is a subject that continues to fascinate: the 2006 film Babel starring Cate Blanchett told various tales of tragedy, all instigated by misplaced perceptions of different peoples.

The study of language is much more than learning tenses, it is the process of expanding your mind and ideas to include other cultures and traditions. Fluency in any language leaves you better equipped in business dealings, politics, media; it creates an immediate bond with people and makes travel a more rewarding and interesting experience.

Irish isn’t just something you can use to tell your mates you fancy the sultry Italian guy/girl sitting next to you on the bus, it’s a language that is steeped in our history and reflects the colour of Irish heritage. It is seen by some as something that is useless and tired, but the career opportunities that await those who know their Aimsir Chaite from their Aimsir Fháistineach disprove this myopic attitude. Irish students face a wide variety of career paths from translating for EU bodies to presenting on TG4.

It is becoming increasingly common for students to study a language alongside another subject. Many third-level courses now include a language as a core or optional subject – courses such as Media Studies, Business, Marketing and IT – meaning that it is possible to gain a thorough knowledge of a language without taking a dedicated language course and greatly improving the look of your CV.

Education
The most popular language choices at third-level are still French, German and Spanish. For most of these degree courses you need to have taken the language at honours level in your Leaving Cert. Beginners’ courses in other languages such as Chinese, Russian and Welsh are also on offer as options in an Arts degree. The CAO points required are generally in the 350 – 450 range.

Language courses typically have two components – the development of language and communication skills, and the study of the culture and history surrounding the language. They cover areas such as grammar, comprehension, composition, textual analysis and linguistics, as well as the literature, culture, politics, history and society of the country or countries where the languages developed.

Interpreting and translation skills are taught in later years of the course, when students are (hopefully) approaching fluency. Language students usually take an Erasmus or other kind of trip abroad, to spend at least one term immersing themselves in their chosen language and the world it has developed in.

Besides learning Irish as a subject in an arts degree, students can also enrol in business and commerce courses that are conducted completely through Irish in GMIT, NUI Galway and DCU.

Options After Qualification
The most obvious career routes for pure languages graduates are teaching (at second-level and third-level, or in private colleges), interpreting and translating. However, many employers in areas such as business, education, marketing, IT, tourism, industry, the EU institutions and the Irish civil service value language skills and offer a wealth of employment possibilities.

Competition for interpreting and translating jobs is high; so many graduates seek postgraduate qualifications to improve their career prospects.

The Work
Not everyone who studies languages becomes an interpreter or a translator; however, many do. As a basic rule, interpreters interpret speech, while translators translate the written word.

You require complete fluency in more than one language to find work as an interpreter. You also have to understand the nuances and context of what the speaker or author is trying to communicate, as often a word-for-word translation will omit the true meaning of what was said or written.

Interpreters convert the spoken word (e.g., speeches, conversation, questions and statements) from one language to another, often in real time, as a person is speaking.

Interpreters can find work with international agencies, such as the United Nations, and also work as freelancers at conferences or in the courts.

Translators can translate books of every kind, articles, technical instructions and law documents. Translators often need specialist knowledge of the subject with which they are dealing; some translators have a formal education in their subject such as history or engineering, while others gain experience as their career progresses.

Many IT and manufacturing companies now employ translators for the localisation of software packages or programmes – the translation of software for different markets. Translators often work as freelancers, finding work through contacts or through a translating agency.

Personal Qualities & Work Environment
An ability to pick up languages comes naturally to some; others find the process more difficult. Certain attributes and skills can make it an easier journey; a real love of the language is a must. You must be quick minded and observant; you also need to be confident, capable of concentrating for long spells and able to work well under pressure, especially for interpreting in front of crowds or in difficult situations. Good writing skills are required for translation work.

Interpreters and translators can work in a variety of environments, from their own home, to offices and businesses, to public events. There is often a good deal of travel involved.

The Money
Salaries vary depending on the area you choose. As a general guide, interpreters can expect to start on a salary of €27,000, which can rise significantly to over €50,000. Freelancers are usually paid a daily rate of between €200 and €450.

The Jargon
Phonetics: the science or study of speech sounds and their production, transmission, and reception.
Philology: The study of a language together with its literature, within historical and cultural contexts
Phoneme: The smallest unit of speech
Linguistics: The study of the nature, structure and variation of language

Job Titles
Philologist
Linguist
Translator
Interpreter

Further Resources
Corporate Translation Services
44 Northumberland Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Ireland
Phone: 01 6678818
Email: info@irishtranslation.ie
Web: http://www.irishtranslation.ie/

Alliance Française
1 Kildare Street
Dublin 2
Phone: 01 676 1732
Web: http://www.alliance-francaise.ie/
Email: info@alliance-francaise.ie

Goethe Institute
37 Merrion Square
Dublin 2
Phone: 01 661 1155
Web: www.goethe.de/ins/ie/dub/deindex.htm
Email: info@dublin.goethe.org

Cervantes Institute
58 Northumberland Road
Ballsbridge
Dublin 4
Phone: 01 668 2936
Web: http://dublin.cervantes.es/
Email: cendub@cervantes.es

Irish Translators & Interpreters Association (ITIA)
Irish Writers’ Centre
19 Parnell Square
Dublin 1
Phone: 01 872 1302
Web: www.translatorsassociation.ie

Foras na Gaeilge
7 Cearnόg Mhuirfean
Baile Átha Cliath 2
Phone: 1850 325 325
Web: www.gaeilge.ie
Email: eolas@forasnagaeilge.ie