Each language is unique, beautiful and difficult to understand and learn in its own way. People who think that African tribes have a vocabulary of several dozen words are deeply mistaken. Russian, English, German, Chinese, French - one cannot say that one is simpler than the other. A person who knows many languages has a key to countless treasures, since each people has its own culture, customs, interesting to study. The Roman emperor Charles V said that in French you need to talk with friends, in German - with enemies, in Spanish - with God, and in Italian - with women.
What is linguistics?
Linguistics is a serious science. At all times, scientists studied the features of languages, compared conversations of representatives of different nations. Linguistics is a section of linguistics responsible for the study of the features of colloquial speech. Science studies the variations between languages, their strengths and weaknesses, the dialects of different peoples. Linguists consider the features of grammar, the structure of words. All scientists agree that languages have a similar foundation, are equally complex until a person understands what principle to teach them, what more to pay attention to. They consist of a set of sounds and words, building them in a certain order, a person receives a special mechanism for creating a huge number of expressions. A linguist is a person who studies languages, their development, changes over time.
The main sections of linguistics
The section of linguistics, in turn, is divided into several subsections: theoretical, applied and practical. Each of them solves its own problems. Theoretical linguistics is engaged in the study of language laws, the creation of theories and rules. It is empirical and normative. The first describes speech as it is, and the second indicates how to speak. Linguistic scholars study languages, find similarities between them, create related groups with them, look for language universals, etc.
Applied linguistics is engaged in the implementation of language functions in various fields of human activity. This may be the development of special devices for the translation of speech, the optimization of the functioning of the language system, the creation of coding theories, etc. Practical linguistics deals with the knowledge of the language, the transfer of this knowledge to others. This includes the study of native and foreign speech by children, translation, literary and domestic creation, linguistic design. Practical linguistics finds application to the theories created by the applied subsection of linguistics.
Who is a linguist?
Linguists are divided into several types, but they all have one goal - a detailed study of the characteristics of speech. A linguist is a person who is professionally engaged in the study of the creation, development and change of any particular language or group. A specialist can find application for his knowledge in various fields of science and education. In different countries there are special institutions in which linguistic scholars compile various reference books, dictionaries, and study previously unexplored dialects of peoples.
Specialists can also engage in professional translation of texts, teach children and adults the basics of both their native and foreign languages. They help kids understand and remember the basic rules of building speech, spelling words.
What linguists are there?
All linguists should be divided into three main categories. The first should include linguists who study one language. It can be both native and foreign. Such specialists are not sprayed on several tasks, but methodically devote all their time to studying the peculiarities of the speech of a particular people. The second category includes modern linguists who study the characteristics of a certain group of languages. Among them are Mongolists, novelists, Germanists and other specialists. The third group includes professionals who study regional languages. These are Africanists, Asianists, Americanists and others. The direction of activity of linguists also differs in topics and sections. For example, distinguish morphologists, syntaxists, semantists, phonetists.
What education is needed?
Professional linguists are trained at special linguistic or philological faculties. But, as the experts themselves admit, such an education in most cases is not enough. A linguist is a diversified personality who is constantly in search of new knowledge. In order to become a true professional in his field, in addition to obtaining a diploma of higher philological education, it is necessary to complete graduate school, internship or doctoral studies. In addition, you need to constantly replenish your knowledge with new information, because it is impossible to know everything, and languages do not stand still, but change.
The main qualities of linguists
Excellent mash, patience, high working capacity, perseverance, erudition, education, attentiveness, scrupulousness, discipline - these are the main qualities that a good specialist should possess. In any situation, an expert linguist must remain an optimist, think positively and constructively. A professional in his field is not only a linguist, but also an analyst. The linguist must remember a lot of information, pay attention to small details. Specialists usually know how to express their thoughts beautifully and competently, and tend to research. The meaning of the word “linguist” indicates that such a person should ideally know the language being studied. To do this, he needs to be inquisitive, have excellent hearing and memory for words and the meaning of the text.
Where do linguists work?
Recently, this profession is not very popular, because young people naively believe that in the future they will face problems with employment. However, Russian linguists can find application for their knowledge in the fields of culture, science, and education. With such a diploma, you can get a teacher at an institute, college or school. Some experts prefer to engage in scientific work. In this case, you need to look for a place in research institutes in which you can study the features and stages of the development of the language. Based on the studies, experts write scientific articles, works, compile handbooks, take part in the formation and creation of textbooks for kindergartens, schools and higher educational institutions.
The development and spread of computer technology has significantly expanded the scope of linguists. Now, such specialists are actively involved in the development and creation of various programs, correctly form speech turns. A linguist is a master of words, where else can he work if not in the field of information technology? Good professionals are worth their weight in gold in advertising, mass media, public relations.
Many believe that you can achieve the highest step in the career ladder by becoming the head of the department or the dean of the faculty at some university. Such prospects are not very attractive, because in science, wages are low. Ambitious young people can also try their hand at business, for example, working as a translator or referent in an international company. Such work is paid more than worthy. In general, finding a job for a linguist is not a problem, you just need to be a good specialist with an active lifestyle.
Is the profession in demand?
Linguists are usually easy to find. The profession cannot be called widespread and vital, but nevertheless, in some areas of activity, good specialists are paid decent salaries. A linguist can realize himself as a scientist, researcher, teacher, translator, referent, information technology specialist, and computer software developer. Depending on personal preferences and opportunities, you should choose a job.