Jobs for an Arabic Linguist
- Tunisiaold arab town image by Miguel Montero from Fotolia.com
Jobs which require a mastery of Arabic are increasingly in demand, both in and outside the Arab world. Whether you wish to go into nonprofit humanitarian work, translation and interpretation, foreign service or education, there are a number of different jobs available for those with a degree in Arabic who have native or near-native fluency. Some require post-graduate or international study. - Dubai, United Arab Emiratesburj al arab image by Emir OBOLAN from Fotolia.com
Translators work with written material, while interpreters work with spoken Arabic. A translator should have a solid grasp of Modern Standard Arabic, the generally accepted written form of Arabic. Because spoken Arabic varies from country to country, an interpreter will need to be familiar with several Arabic dialects or focus on a specific community of Arabic speakers. - North Africaarabic building at coast of nil image by Mirek Hejnicki from Fotolia.com
Those with a background in Arabic language may consider the teaching profession. Private language institutes, universities, community colleges and community centers are always in need of qualified Arabic instructors. Modern Standard Arabic is generally the most popular course of study, but certain dialects (especially Egyptian) are in demand as well. Private language institutes and universities in the U.S. offer dialect classes alongside Modern Standard Arabic. In the Arab world, many classes are available in local dialects for foreigners who have relocated, tourists, students on exchange programs or anyone who wants to learn how to speak with locals. - Arabic artarabesque image by Abdelhamid ESSADEL from Fotolia.com
Women's centers, human rights organizations, nongovernmental organizations, environmental organizations, Arab cultural centers and outreach programs require those who are bilingual and bicultural for all levels of positions, both in U.S. and the Arab world. - Petra, Jordan: The City of Stonepetra image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
As of 2010, Arabic linguists are in great demand in the U.S. military, foreign service, law enforcement and homeland security offices. The demand for these positions heavily outweighs the supply, especially for dialect speakers. Military workers can translate and interpret. Foreign service workers work in consulates and embassies in foreign countries and in the U.S. Proficiency tests as well as a degree in Arabic are required for these positions. - A cafe in the Arab world is a great place to work on your Arabic dialect.egypt pipe image by Andrejs Pidjass from Fotolia.com
Fluency in Arabic will give you a definite edge in teaching English in the Arab world, as knowing the first language of your students can help you recognize and anticipate common mistakes and difficulties they have with learning English. You will be able to give more effective corrections; living and working in the Arab world will be a great opportunity to perfect your own Arabic dialect skills as well.
Translation and Interpretation
Arabic Language Education
Cultural Education and Non-Governmental Organization
U.S. Government Work
English Language Education
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