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Arabic linguist vs language translator

The differences between arabic linguists and language translators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an arabic linguist and a language translator. Additionally, a language translator has an average salary of $45,490, which is higher than the $44,433 average annual salary of an arabic linguist.

The top three skills for an arabic linguist include english language, transcription and target language. The most important skills for a language translator are proofreading, foreign language, and target language.

Arabic linguist vs language translator overview

Arabic LinguistLanguage Translator
Yearly salary$44,433$45,490
Hourly rate$21.36$21.87
Growth rate20%20%
Number of jobs74221,450
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does an arabic linguist do?

Arabic linguists are experts who interpret and translate research or business documents that are written in the Arab language or its dialects. These linguists are required to advise peers and superiors about the Arabic language and culture while providing inputs of written reports developed from target materials utilizing the specific Arabic language. They must conduct simultaneous interpretations of conversations during diplomatic meetings and conferences. Arabic linguists must also create and manage Arabic language training for the newly hired linguists.

What does a language translator do?

Language translators are linguistic professionals who are responsible for converting information from one language to another to help people read the translation based on the original source. These translators must use a computer to translate the original language into their native language. They can work for software development companies as under contract independent foreign language translators. They must utilize target language to translate and transcribe critical information and performing immediate data analysis. Language translators must also provide interpretations for meetings, conferences, and administrative hearings for any sponsored functions.

Arabic linguist vs language translator salary

Arabic linguists and language translators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Arabic LinguistLanguage Translator
Average salary$44,433$45,490
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $67,000Between $29,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Oregon
Best paying company-Bloomberg
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between arabic linguist and language translator education

There are a few differences between an arabic linguist and a language translator in terms of educational background:

Arabic LinguistLanguage Translator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorEnglishEnglish
Most common collegeHarvard UniversityHarvard University

Arabic linguist vs language translator demographics

Here are the differences between arabic linguists' and language translators' demographics:

Arabic LinguistLanguage Translator
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 71.9% Female, 28.1%Male, 39.4% Female, 60.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.0% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 34.1% Asian, 14.2% White, 38.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 31.5% Asian, 18.0% White, 38.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage15%15%

Differences between arabic linguist and language translator duties and responsibilities

Arabic linguist example responsibilities.

  • Provide written and verbal translation services (Farsi) to achieve assign USAF mission goals.
  • Perform transcription, analysis and reporting of real-time critical intelligence in target language.
  • Function as part of an intelligence analytical team of military and DoD civilian in support of BCT.
  • Instruct crewmembers on operations of employ ISR, IBR and PGL/TTL equipment and integrations of duties with assign crews.
  • Research, analyze and compose significant section of an individual behavioral profile folder in support of CENTCOM's highest priority.
  • Serve as project manager and operator for secure tactical datalink communication systems (TIBS, TADIL) and airborne reconnaissance programs.
  • Show more

Language translator example responsibilities.

  • Lead an international team of HUMINT collectors for the NATO mission in Bosnia where overt and covert collection protocols are observed.
  • Provide written translations from Dari and Pashto, and some Urdu, into English.
  • Consult employees on proper multicultural etiquette while connecting with Thai, Thai Yai, and Burmese sex workers.
  • Conduct interviews for a study on the male sex work industry and translate the answers from Thai to English.
  • Train soldiers to perform in a combat environment including tactical navigation, military communications, and several types of weapons.
  • Conduct monitoring, translating, transcribing, interpreting, perform translation/transcription, quality control and perform validating services.

Arabic linguist vs language translator skills

Common arabic linguist skills
  • English Language, 15%
  • Transcription, 13%
  • Target Language, 10%
  • Language, 8%
  • Vice Versa, 6%
  • Cultural Knowledge, 5%
Common language translator skills
  • Proofreading, 16%
  • Foreign Language, 15%
  • Target Language, 12%
  • Haitian Creole, 10%
  • Thai, 9%
  • Translation Services, 8%

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