Careers in languages – Part 2
Our
blog of last month provided details about Careers in Languages, where knowledge
of languages is essential. This month, we will cover
other professions where knowledge of a language is considered as an added
advantage.
1. Multilingual DTP
DTP
means desktop publishing - Desktop publishers use
computer software to design page layouts for newspapers, books, brochures, and
other items that are printed or put online. When a document is bilingual or multilingual,
it helps if the DTP programmer has knowledge in the other languages as well
else he/she might inadvertently cut off words, or delete sentences! Language
experts are specially called in to “proofread/edit” such work but if the DTP
specialist knows the language concerned it saves time and cost!
2. Multilingual SEO
SEO
is search engine optimization - The
process of promoting a website to the top rankings of Search Engines is called
SEO and when it's happening on a multilingual site, we call it “multilingual SEO”. Multilingual SEO is part of Digital Marketing and
requires much beyond knowing the language only – it also involves knowing the target
culture, internet behaviors of the
regional population and the differences in dialects of different regions
speaking the same language. There are other related profiles like content
management, social media management, pay per click (PPC) like Google Ads,
e-commerce, etc. Multilingual
SEO consultants should know 3-4 languages and have expertise in programming,
search engine optimization, social media marketing and sales.
3. BPO support
Business
Process Outsourcing, in short, is BPO. It is the sub-contracting of a business process
or operation (mostly back office processes like customer care, call center,
banking process, etc.). The requirement of language experts has grown leaps and
bounds, not only for foreign languages but Indian regional languages like
Bengali, Tamil, Malayalam, etc. Linguistic support is required for various jobs
like data entry, voice calls, non-voice processes, management, banking, billing,
chat process, etc.
4. Travel industry - Airport support staff (air host/hostess or ground host/hostess)
a.
Knowing
a foreign language along with 2 Indian languages is a must for cabin crew (air
steward and air hostess) and for ground crew (who take care of ticketing) and
customer care.
b.
Linguistic licensed guides: The Ministry
of Tourism, Government of India,
grants licences to guides on a regional basis after fulfilling required conditions.
Those fluent in French, German, Spanish, Korean, Russian, Japanese, Thai,
Arabic, Hungarian, Polish, Hebrew and Chinese, as identified by the Ministry
from time to time are approved under this category. Aspirant should be graduate
from a recognized university, and have knowledge and fluency in a foreign
language (besides English). Such licenses are provided on a state and national
level
c.
Working in travel agencies for booking or as Tour Operator:
There are various boutique agencies which cater to specific countries and niche
areas like Indian culture/culinary/adventure trips which require persons
knowing those specific languages
d.
Logistics officers, holiday consultant, staff in cruises,
hotels, etc. all require some foreign language knowledge
5. Diplomatic service abroad
An
IFS officer, after having cleared his exams has to learn a compulsory foreign
language after which he is posted to the country to which the langue is a
native one. He/she then has to develop proficiency in the language and pass an examination
so as to continue his services.
6. Hospitality - Hotel Management
The
history of French gastronomy (simply, the art and science of good eating) goes
back centuries. Hotel management courses therefore always have a French
language introductory course. It teaches you how to pronounce dish names
correctly and is also helpful when learning how to make wines, spirits, cigars,
etc.
7. IT
IT
has been the major game-changer for the Indian economy for about 2 decades now
– considering the stricter visa norms in the US and market conditions, it is
imperative for software companies to expand their business to non-English
speaking countries. There is a massive requirement for foreign language
speaking IT staff – in fact a perk of about 20% is offered to such candidates, as
per an article published in Hindustan Times. Even coordinators or manager level
staff need language skills to coordinate projects off shore. Current top 3 languages
in demand for IT are Mandarin, Japanese and German, according to the same article. Of course, other languages
have scope too, depending on the company one is working for!
8. Management
Global
MNCs and IT companies require managerial staff to know a foreign language native to the parent company. In fact, in most management colleges today, there exists
a credit for foreign language too!
9. Journalism
Journalism syllabus already has a focus on language
skills. In addition, another Indian/foreign language is important since
journalists regularly translate articles from other languages for their
publications. Foreign correspondents can make use of their foreign language
skills while reporting and hence it becomes a crucial skill for them.
Language skills come in very handy and promise a better
future for those boasting of good linguistic command. Contact us today to know
more about our crash-course training for various international languages.
Devaki Kunte, Language
Services Bureau, Pune, India
Telephone: 91-20-65200559