Page 38 - DENG102_COMMUNICATION_SKILLS_II

Unit 2: Using a Foreign Language

Business is not the only area of employment where language competencies are needed, however. notes
Multiple government agencies, the travel industry, engineering, communications, the field of
education, international law, economics, public policy, publishing, advertising, entertainment,
scientific research, and a broad array of service sectors all have needs for people with foreign
language skills.
International organisations and embassies employ language specialists for secretarial, executive
and public relation assignments as well as for translations and interpretations jobs. Translators
are also found to be employed with industries, publishing houses, government and research
organisations. Other job opportunities for language specialist lie with the travel and tourism
sector, hotel industry, exhibitions and fairs, airlines offices, export agencies, radio stations and
trade organisations. Teaching can also be given a thought. For pursuing a career in teaching, a
teacher should be a graduate in that foreign language and must have a teaching degree.

Compensation varies with the kind and the place of work.

Example: A career in teaching can earn anything from ` 10000/- p.m to ` 20000/- p.m.
A Lecturer’s pay scale is between ` 10000/- p.m. to ` 13000/- p.m. and professors can expect
over ` 18000/- p.m. Those working as translators get paid between ` 50/- to ` 100/- per page.
An interpreter gets paid on hourly basis and at present the rate varies from ` 300/- to ` 500/- per
hour. For those working with embassies can get paid between ` 8000/- p.m. to ` 10000/- p.m.

Though the fact is that opportunities for regular employment are far and few and are mostly
in metropolitan cities, but on attaining professional qualification in foreign languages, one can
work in the following areas:
l Teaching: The most common of all the available career options in foreign language is
teaching. Teaching of foreign language is just like teaching any other language. For
newcomers, it is advisable to start with teaching. As a teacher, a person gets enough
opportunities to enhance his skills. As far as teaching jobs are concerned, many institutions
are offering courses in foreign languages and so jobs exists at all levels. Those reluctant to
engage themselves in a full-time profession, can take private tuition as well.

l Translating: Translators translate written material from one language to another. The
kind of material involved may include product manuals, business reports, business
correspondence, legal documents, websites, subtitles for films, song lyrics, and literature.
To be a translator you need the ability to write and express yourself very well in the target
language, usually your native tongue, and a good knowledge of the source language(s),
usually foreign languages. Fluency in the source language(s) is not essential, but you
definitely need an excellent understanding of the written version of the source language and
the culture of the people who speak it. Specialist knowledge of other subjects, qualifications
in translation, and membership of a professional association are also very useful.

l Interpreting: Interpreters work with the spoken word at conferences, meetings, trials,
hospitals and anywhere else that interpretation is needed. There are two types of
interpreting: simultaneous or conference interpreting and consecutive interpreting.
Simultaneous interpreting usually happens at big conferences and meetings and involves
the interpreter sitting in a soundproof booth listening on headphones to delegates giving
speeches in a foreign language and at the same time, speaking a translation in their
(the interpreter’s) native language into a microphone so that delegates who speak that
language can understand what’s going on. Simultaneous interpreting is a high-pressure,
high-stress and usually well-paid job. Simultaneous interpreters often work in teams with
each individual interpreting for 15-20 minutes at a time.

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