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 be said to be easier than the other. A person who knows many languages has the key to countless treasures, since each nation has its own culture, customs, interesting to study. The Roman emperor Charles V said that French should be spoken with friends, German with enemies, Spanish with God, and Italian with women.
What is linguistics?
Linguistics is a serious science. At all times, scientists have been studying the features of languages, comparing the conversations of representatives of different peoples. Linguistics is a branch of linguistics that is responsible for the study of the features of colloquial speech. Science studies variations between languages, their strengths and weaknesses, dialects of different peoples. Linguists consider the features of grammar, the structure of words. All scientists agree that languages have a similar basis, in equaldegrees are difficult until a person understands how to teach them, what to pay more attention to. They consist of a set of sounds and words, building which 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.
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 deals with the study of linguistic 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 scientists study languages, find similarities between them, create related groups with them, look for linguistic universals, etc.
Applied linguistics deals with the introduction of language functions in various areas of human activity. This may be the development of special speech translation devices, the optimization of the functioning of the language system, the creation of coding theories, etc. Practical linguistics is concerned with the knowledge of the language, the transfer of this knowledge to others. This should include the study of native and foreign speech by children, translation, artistic and everyday word creation, linguistic design. Practical linguistics finds application to the theories created by the applied subsection of linguistics.
Who is thislinguist?
Linguists are divided into several types, but they all have one goal - a detailed study of the features of speech. A linguist is a person who professionally studies the creation, development and change of a particular language or a whole group. A specialist can find application for his knowledge in various fields of science and education. Special institutes operate in different countries, in which linguists compile various reference books, dictionaries, and explore previously unstudied 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 for constructing speech, writing words.
What kind of linguists are there?
All linguists should be conditionally divided into three main categories. The first one should include linguists studying one language. It can be both native and foreign. Such specialists do not spread themselves over several tasks, but methodically devote all their time to studying the characteristics of the speech of a particular people. The second category includes modern linguists who study the features of a particular group of languages. Among them are Mongolian scholars, novelists, Germanists and other specialists. The third group includes professionals studying regional languages. These are Africanists, Asianists, Americanists and others. The direction of activity of linguists also differs in subject matter and sections. For example, morphologists, syntaxists, semanticists, phoneticians are singled out.
What kind of education is needed?
Professional linguists are trained at special linguistic or philological faculties. But, as experts themselves admit, such education is not enough in most cases. A linguist is a diversified personality, constantly in search of new knowledge. To become a real professional in your field, in addition to obtaining a diploma of higher philological education, you must complete a postgraduate, 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 wrinkle, patience, high efficiency, perseverance, erudition, education, attentiveness, scrupulousness, discipline - these are the main qualities that a good specialist should have. An expert linguist in any situation must remain optimistic, think positively and constructively. A professional in his field - not only a linguist, but also an analyst. A linguist must memorize a lot of information, pay attention to small details. Specialists usually know how to express their thoughts beautifully and competently, and show a penchant for research activities. 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 has not been very popular, because young people naively believe that in the future they will have 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 job as a teacher at an institute, college or school. Some professionals prefer to do scientific work. In this case, you need to look for a place in research institutes where you can study the features and stages of language development. Based on the research, experts write scientific articles, works, compose reference books, take part in the formation and creation of textbooks for kindergartens, schools and higher educational institutions.
The development and dissemination of computer technology has significantly expanded the scope of activities 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, media, public relations.
Many believe that it is possible to reach the highest rung on the career ladder by becoming the head of a department or dean of a faculty at some university. Such prospects are not very attractive, since wages in science are low. Ambitious young people can also try their hand at business, such as becoming a translator orreferent in an international company. This kind of work pays more than adequately. In general, finding a job as a linguist is not a problem, you just need to be a good specialist with an active lifestyle.
Is the profession in demand?
Usually linguists find employment easily. 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, computer software developer. Depending on personal preferences and opportunities, you should choose a job for yourself.
