Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

The Work

Work in this area is varied and can range from translating and interpreting, to language teaching including English as a foreign language (EFL) or as a second language (ESL).

Linguists are also sought for specialised areas such as computational linguistics (a combination of computer science and linguists).  
 
Some linguists specialise in specific areas of language study, some study that sounds and phonetics of language. Others study the structure and form that language takes. Most linguists either teach or have taught language to language students.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Follow ethical codes that protect the confidentiality of information.
• Translate messages simultaneously or consecutively into specified languages, orally or by using hand signs, maintaining message content, context, and style as much as possible.
• Listen to speakers' statements to determine meanings and to prepare translations, using electronic listening systems as necessary.
• Compile terminology and information to be used in translations, including technical terms such as those for legal or medical material.
• Refer to reference materials, such as dictionaries, lexicons, encyclopedias, and computerised terminology banks, as needed to ensure translation accuracy.
• Check translations of technical terms and terminology to ensure that they are accurate and remain consistent throughout translation revisions.
• Identify and resolve conflicts related to the meanings of words, concepts, practices, or behaviors.
• Compile information on content and context of information to be translated and on intended audience.
• Adapt translations to students' cognitive and grade levels, collaborating with educational team members as necessary.
• Check original texts or confer with authors to ensure that translations retain the content, meaning, and feeling of the original material.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Linguistic

The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Posts for Linguists are advertised in various Media for private or government and semi-state bodies, embassies, and international organisations enquiring about vacancies where knowledge of foreign languages is necessary or desirable.  

Experience obtained in a post that combines language translation with other duties equips a person to progress to the post of Translator or Interpreter or both.  
 
Most Linguists can work from at least two languages and usually specialise in a Technical subject subject, such as medicine, Engineering, or law for translation of text translation. Many Linguists also have work experience in a professional area. Interpreteing can also include sign language in many modern languages to support diverse needs. 

The usual route to a career as an interpreter is to complete a degree in Modern Languages followed by a relevant postgraduate course. Degree courses are available from a wide range of institutions throughout the country.  

Training & Professional  Development 

Higher Education CAO entry: Applied languages, modern languages, Teaching & Facilitation, Arts or Business with language, computing with languages NFQ level 6-8 Search CAO courses 

Postgraduate study options: Translation, Interpreting NFQ level 9 

Linguist may also explore Teaching via TEFL/TSOL/ CELTA, A primary degree may be required for teaching abroad. SOme countries may not require a primary degree, but proficiency in english to IELTS 6.5.   

Translation & Interpreting Professional Development 

In order to qualify for professional membership of the ITIA Irish Translators & Interpreters Association

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €26k - €75k

Salaries vary by employer, location, duties, role, experience, and sessional shift pattern & conditions.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed/ Morgan McKinley/ Sigmar / Brightwater

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The five-year annual average growth rate for this occupation was significantly above average, with strong growth observed between 2020 and 2021; employment grew by approximately 2,000 persons between 2021 and 2022. Employment was spread across all sectors of the economy, with the largest share, at just over a fifth, for professional activities. Employment permits, primarily in the ICT sector, spanned a number of roles, including data analysts, account strategists and logistics specialists.

While the number of online job adverts (OVATE) remained almost unchanged in 2022 for this occupational group, there was a 6% increase in adverts for financial and accounting technicians (although the numbers involved are small).

Employers (Skills for Growth & Spotlight on Skills) have signalled difficulties in recruiting data analysts. Furthermore, data analysis skills were required in other difficult-to-fill job roles such as engineers, software developers, and lab analysts. Demand for data analytics skills is evident; however, rather than existing only as standalone roles, these skills are increasingly embedded in other occupations.

• The Irish Translators and Interpreters Association (ITIA)

  • C/o Irish Writers' Centre, 19 Parnell Square, Dublin 1
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