Computational Linguist

Computational linguists further develop scientific approaches to automated language analysis and processing into application-oriented solutions and implement them in a target group-oriented manner. They improve search strategies and tools in order to be able to access large amounts of data, project computer-aided or automated translation, text editing, learning programs, systems that automatically generate speech or dialog systems that interact with users. They test the applications, train users and support them in real operation.

In scientific research, computational linguists develop the theoretical basis for the representation, recognition and generation of spoken and written language by machines and publish research results. At universities they teach students, prepare lectures and seminars, correct written papers and take exams. Independent scientific activities usually open up. only after completing a master’s degree and a doctorate.

Computational linguists find employment e.g.

• in software companies
• at universities and research institutes

The salary level for Computational Linguist in Germany is: from 3500 up to 5500 EUR per month

Why is?

Computational linguists research how natural language can be machine-analyzed and processed using computers and develop software, e.g. for speech recognition or speech processing.

From linguistic basics to software

From speech recognition to translation systems to robots that generate or recognize speech: in software development, computer linguists work on the optimization of applications that ideally understand human commands and information - such as spoken text - directly and provide appropriate feedback in the desired response medium (human-machine interaction). They develop programs that convert spoken to written language and vice versa, software for automatic spelling and grammar checking, and applications that help computers extract facts from texts. Her projects may include computer-assisted dictionaries, programs for computer-assisted teaching or computer-assisted learning, specialist dictionaries or solutions for communication and vehicle technology.

In scientific research and teaching

Basic research continues to be an important area of ​​work in the academic field. Human languages ​​are complex systems in which e.g. a sentence is built from words using linguistic rules. This complexity must be simulated mechanically using precisely defined rules of action or solution methods, so-called algorithms. Therefore, computational linguists examine the structures of human language in terms of predictability down to the smallest element and model them by using abstract mathematical rules. They also deal with how language is generated purely physically, e.g. document exactly the movements of the lips, soft palate and tongue and describe them as mathematical equations in order to ultimately be able to technically map or implement them.

In addition to basic research, computational linguists are involved in the development of tools that can be used to search large amounts of digitized texts or data material for specific linguistic patterns. Areas of application for this computational linguistic research include: Scientific studies on topics from politics and business and their journalistic preparation.

Computational linguists record research results in specialist articles or books, making them accessible to other scientists and students. They speak at conferences and congresses about their findings. In courses, they impart knowledge to students, supervise scientific work and take exams. As a rule, for independent scientific activities a master's degree and a doctorate are required.