Many graduates of courses with an Applied Linguistics Specialisation find careers with SIL Global, a faith-based nonprofit that works with local communities around the world to develop language solutions that expand possibilities for a better life.
If you believe, as we do, that all languages are of value, form an integral part of people’s identity and have the potential to serve them in a rapidly changing world, then we invite you to consider being part of a team serving minority language communities worldwide.
SIL has approved the content of the training offered in the Applied Linguistics Specialisation as suitable for equipping people for roles in the following areas:
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Linguistics Technician
Linguistics Technicians collect, organise, and analyse linguistic data as part of an established team or under the supervision of a more experienced linguist. Typically, linguistics technicians focus on producing a grammatical or phonological sketch, a basic discourse analysis, and/or a text collection.
They will be able to use appropriate language analysis software. No prior field experience is required to take up a Linguistics Technician role, but previous cross-cultural experience is helpful.
Completing an Eastern GradDipArts or DipArts, with appropriate electives, will meet the requirements for SIL field placements.
Literacy and Education Specialist
Literacy and Education Specialists partner with communities and organisations to carry out literacy projects such as multilingual education and adult literacy. A specialist supervises program design, orthography development, writer’s workshops, teacher training, materials development and distribution, and management training. Literacy and Education Specialists provide leadership and expertise for the planning and implementation of these projects.
Literacy and Education Specialists are competent in using advanced software for literacy tasks such as primer construction, shell book construction, and desktop publishing. They should be able to train others in literacy principles and techniques. Previous multicultural experience is helpful.
Completing an Eastern GradDipArts, with appropriate electives, will meet the requirements for SIL field placements.
Translation Specialist
Translation specialists support language communities in gaining access to information and literature from other languages and cultures.
Translation specialists bring a wide range of skills and expertise to language development projects where translation is a critical component. They must understand every aspect of the translation process, from initial exegesis to draft through publication, and be able to evaluate drafts of translated materials. They must generally have a working knowledge of linguistics, and be familiar with phonology, orthography design, morphosyntax, discourse analysis, semantics, and pragmatics.
SIL translation specialists frequently teach and train local community members in translation principles and procedures. They are often called on to help manage overall aspects of a language development program when translation forms a large part of the program.
Completing an Eastern GradDipArts, with appropriate electives, will meet the requirements for SIL field placements.
Language Surveyor
Language surveyors help assure that situational information and preliminary sociolinguistic analysis are available regarding languages and peoples in a particular geographical area.
Surveyors work on a team under the direction of an experienced language assessment specialist. Surveyors gather both secondary data from libraries, the internet, journals, and linguistic seminars, and primary data through social, linguistic, and sociolinguistic research.
Surveyors are competent in using appropriate software and able to train others in all of the activities associated with language survey work.
Completing an Eastern GradDipArts, GradCertArts or DipArts, with appropriate electives, will meet the requirements for SIL field placements.
Please note that a graduate’s sending organisation may have additional requirements.