Linguistics

Linguistics is the study of the social, historical, political, biological, psychological, and economic aspects of a language. Linguists study the relationships between written and spoken languages and the groups of people who use them, including the whole range from rural cultures in developing nations to modern urban cultures in the West. They also develop ways to use computers to translate languages and methods to analyze documents to check the validity of their stated origin. In order to build a career in the field of linguistics, a person should have proficiency in reading, writing, as well as speaking the concerned language of study. The demand for trained professionals in linguistics is increasing, owing to the expansion of overseas trade links.

Courses & Eligibility:

The various courses offered under linguistics are:

• BA Linguistics
• MA Linguistics
• MA Applied Linguistics
• MPhil Applied Linguistics
• MPhil Linguistics and Phonetics
• PhD Applied Linguistics
• PhD Linguistics and Phonetics

The minimum eligibility criteria for admissions to a bachelor’s course is a 10+2 certificate in any stream. Candidates who have completed their graduation can pursue a master’s programme in linguistics; they can in turn opt for further studies by applying for MPhil and PhD programmes.

Career Prospects:

A graduate can be employed as an audiologist, communication disorder specialist, broadcaster/ newsreader, copywriter, editor, technical writer, translator, publisher, interpreter, language planner, lexicographer, teacher, psycholinguists, tour operator, researcher etc. Experienced linguists can work for universities, high-tech companies, research institutions, consulting firms, the government, and the military. Postgraduate candidates in linguistics are recruited in hospitals as speech therapists or neuro-linguists, who treat speech problems in children and adults. One can also work as a speech trainer in call centers or work with the Anthropological Survey of India. While the academic market for linguists remains fairly steady, there has been considerable growth in the area of computer-assisted language learning and online dictionaries and thesauruses. Once a linguist’s work and publications become recognized, consulting work may be an option.

Remuneration:

Freshers receive a salary of around Rs. 10000 to Rs. 15000 per month as assistants in the government sector, while experienced candidates average monthly salary is about Rs. 25,000. The salary package for a linguist in colleges and universities is
Rs. 10,000–Rs. 25,000, which may vary based on experience.