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Career Paths in Linguistics

The following list shows possible career paths in the field of Linguistics: 

Linguistics, as understood here, is the deep, precise study of language, its origins, its development, its functions and effects, the regularity of its structure, the prerequisites for (mutual) understanding, and the causes of failure and misunderstanding. There are people who claim that grammar, linguistics, and rhetoric cannot be studied properly without having learned at least one of the “classical” languages (Latin, Greek, Hebrew), and indeed, it seems that modern linguistics has at least one of its roots in antiquity.

Through the study of ancient languages, linguistics has long maintained a strong focus on text, which has only recently been expanded and complemented, especially here in Marburg, by the study of the spoken word: speech studies. With its analytical approach and rigorous methodology, linguistics, which is actually a classical humanities discipline, is quite similar to the natural sciences. 

The question “What is spoken or verbalized when, where, and how?” can now be explored through field research in linguistics, while the distribution of language forms across space creates links to geography (“language atlases”) and quite a few paths lead to the cognitive sciences or even neuroscience. Since the success or failure of speech can best be scientifically observed in an enclosed space (clinic), the development of “clinical linguistics” was only logical. Although graduates of Marburg’s “Clinical Linguistics” program are not therapists themselves, they do work in the field of speech therapy, for example, wherever speech therapy methods are reviewed, improved, and expanded upon.

A career in the more communicative field of linguistics can already be started with a bachelor’s degree, wherever “communication” has to be done as a “job,” e.g., in corporate communications. In science communications (“How can scientists be supported in communicating with each other effectively, enjoyably, professionally, and comprehensibly?”), at least a master’s degree is likely to be required. Recently, a few approaches for targeted professional development and continuing education have been developed, but these are still few and far between and can mostly be found under the title “scientific documentation.” In clinical neurology, it is at least worth considering adding the appropriate therapeutic training (speech therapy, occupational therapy, etc.) to your educational profile—even during the master’s.

This information is based on information provided by the BERUFENET of the German Federal Employment Agency and surveys conducted with graduates of Marburg University. We would like to thank Edgar Losse from the Marburg branch of the Federal Employment Agency for the suggestions and support.