Amitabh Sharma
Features Coordinator

Think language and the thought that crosses the mind is the diversity of the spoken and the written word across the world. Knowing a second language, in today’s work environment, is an asset. Gone are the days when getting proficient in a language meant that you only limited options.

Changing the perception
“Even though we are living in a globalized economic environment, foreign language learning is lagging behind in Jamaica,” says Dr. Marie -Jose Nzengou-Tayo, Head of Department of Modern Languages, University of the West Indies, Mona.

Nzengou-Tayo feels that due to the low interest in foreign languages, there is void of professionals in the system. “There is a need for foreign language specialists which goes unaddressed because high school students associate language specialization as something landing them on a slippery path,” she says.

She says it is a perception that learning a foreign language will get you a teaching job, which is not lucrative. Else one will be doing a part-time job as a tranlator.

But this perception is changing fast, with globalization, and the movement of workforce from one country to the other, the need for language professionals is on the rise.

Language careers and traits
“Teaching, translating and interpreting are the direct professions open to language graduates,” informs Nzengou-Tayo.

Translation and Interpreting require a minimum of two foreign languages in addition to one’s native language, she further says.

Translators and interpreters should have knowledge of the language structure (phonetics, phonology and syntax).

“One can also train to be linguists, who are also specialist in foreign languages,” Nzengou- Tayo says. “They usually work on lesser known languages and also develop a mastery of foreign languages.”

Employment opportunities
Nzengou- Tayo says that opportunities are wide and varied. “Graduates of the Department of Modern Languages have been very successful nationally and internationally,” she says.

“Some of our past students have excellent position in international organization as translators like the Bank of Jamaica, World Bank, UNEP, FTAA, etc.”

There are numerous other areas which require the services of people with foreign language proficiency, tourism is the primary employer, one can also find employment in international institutions or agencies, informs Nzengou- Tayo.

Training
The University of the West Indies (UWI) offers majors and minors in Spanish and French, double major in French and Spanish language. “We also offer electives in Japanese and beginners’ courses in Chinese and Portuguese,” Nzengou- Tayo informs.

She further informs that her department also has a Language and Linguistics programme in collaboration with the Department of Language Linguistics and Philosophy as well as a Spanish/French and Education programme with the Department of Educational Studies.

“At the Mona Campus, we have a professional M.A. in Translation Studies and the St. Augustine Campus offers a Diploma in Interpreting.”

She says that graduates have a choice to study further and do their masters in international relations or in translation and interpreting.

“Aptitude for language learning can be facilitated by environment and exposure however, motivation and determination are key factors for progress in language learning,” she says.

For admission in the programme at UWI the requirements are CAPE 1 and 2 or A-Level Spanish/French at the entry level, those with CSEC 1 and 2 have to attend an interview, after which they are admitted to the course.

amitabh.sharma@gleanerjm.com

Interesting facts

• 2008 is proclaimed the year of multilingualism by the United Nation. The Assembly recognized that knowledge of foreign languages is important to promote tolerance around the world


• Harvard Business Review (November 2006) indicates that with the globalization of the economy, managerial teams are more and more culturally diverse as a result competence in foreign languages and cultures becomes crucial for effective management and team work