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Computational linguist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

Jennifer Cramer,

Jennifer Cramer

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical computational linguist skills. We ranked the top skills for computational linguists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 23.1% of computational linguist resumes contained python as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a computational linguist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 computational linguist skills for your resume and career

1. Python

Python is a widely-known programming language. It is an object-oriented and all-purpose, coding language that can be used for software development as well as web development.

Here's how computational linguists use python:

Programmed a basic software in Python language that parse a limited sample of tweets and categorize them under different topics.
Performed unit testing using Python and PyDAQ to measure TTL signal strength being outputted from the Data Acquisition Device.

2. NLP

NLP is an acronym for Neuron-linguistic programming which is the act of using language to change a person's thought pattern and behavioral tendencies towards achieving a goal. It's also an acronym for Natural Language Processing which is the process of making a computer understand human languages whether spoken or written.

Here's how computational linguists use nlp:

Managed and designed evaluations for various NLP software applications for Machine Translation, Machine Learning and Automated Language Tutoring programs.
Research and development on distributional semantics, multi-word expression, NLP systems design and implementation, machine learning, and more.

3. Java

Java is a widely-known programming language that was invented in 1995 and is owned by Oracle. It is a server-side language that was created to let app developers "write once, run anywhere". It is easy and simple to learn and use and is powerful, fast, and secure. This object-oriented programming language lets the code be reused that automatically lowers the development cost. Java is specially used for android apps, web and application servers, games, database connections, etc. This programming language is closely related to C++ making it easier for the users to switch between the two.

Here's how computational linguists use java:

Designed object-oriented, pattern-driven Java tools to flexibly manage scientific data archived to an SQL database.
Designed and implemented a user-friendly graphical Java application for editing response/susceptibility matrices stored in XML format.

4. Extraction

Here's how computational linguists use extraction:

Worked as a computational linguist on ISC's natural language processing team, contributing to information extraction (IE) efforts.
Act as technical liaison to medical equipment manufacturers on issues of system configuration, data management and data extraction.

5. Perl

A Practical Extraction and Report Language, or simply PERL, is a programming language used for a script intended for syntax. You can see this when a particular web programmer or a junior developer creates a script for servers. It is used to manipulate text and utilize tasks such as web development, programming, and system administration.

Here's how computational linguists use perl:

Developed public web pages using HTML and Perl.
Help script some of the in-house tools created using Perl & Bash.

6. Data Analysis

Here's how computational linguists use data analysis:

Developed a new data analysis technique which added a new dimension to data interpretation.
Perform data analysis in collaboration with senior team members.

7. Linux

Linux is a Unix-like operating system. Just like Windows, Mac OS, and IOS, Linux is an operating system used by millions across the globe. Android itself is powered by the Linux operating system. Linux manages all the hardware resources that are associated with your computer. The software is famous because of the protection it grants from viruses, malware, and crashes. The Linux operating system is entirely free and is an open-source software meaning it can be altered by those equipped with the knowledge to code.

Here's how computational linguists use linux:

Administered a Linux system utilized by staff for data formatting and manipulation.
Ported the entire core product from BeOS to Linux as BeOS had become an unsupported operating system.

8. Entity Recognition

Here's how computational linguists use entity recognition:

Named Entity Recognition - Developed rules for finding legal citations in proprietary legal corpus.

9. SQL

Here's how computational linguists use sql:

Developed data visualization dashboard and wrote SQL scripts to track vendor metrics.
Managed developers and collaborated with developers in the Richardson, TX office to maintain and support CAD data using SQL RDBMS.

10. Foreign Language

A foreign language is a language that is not the official language spoken in a given state or country. It's a language that is native to another country but can be studied in addition to one's native language as a means of fostering international relationships among countries.

Here's how computational linguists use foreign language:

Worked on the human factors and ergonomic issues in using the standard English keyboard for foreign languages.
Transcribed foreign language accents for a project in the Artificial Intelligence Department

11. API

Here's how computational linguists use api:

Created modules for medication NER, including ontology creation using RxNorm web services and baseline comparison using the NCBO annotator API.
Developed web API for simulating protein interactions.

12. Visualization

Here's how computational linguists use visualization:

Designed and developed data mining and information visualization techniques for visually analyzing students' discussion activities data.
Developed interactive visualization components for a chemistry tutoring system in HTML/CSS.

13. Unix

UNIX is a computer operating system that was first created in the 1960s and has been constantly updated since then. The operating system refers to the set of programs that enable a machine to function. It is a multi-user, multi-tasking device that works on computers, laptops, and servers. UNIX systems also have a graphical user interface (GUI), similar to Microsoft Windows, that makes it simple to use.

Here's how computational linguists use unix:

Configured and tested AUTOCAD under Digital Unix; created a UNIX daemon to recycle program log files and users log files.
Assist EDP team in developing and maintaining several applications under UNIX, C, and Unify 4.0.

14. Debugging

Here's how computational linguists use debugging:

Provided support (testing and debugging) for the operating system written for the communications project.
Provided support (design, testing and debugging) for DSD designed assembler communications software.

15. Regression

Here's how computational linguists use regression:

Designed and implemented modular software system in C++ for general classification and regression analysis.
Program development of multiple linear regression models of current and wind data in the New York Bight.

What skills help Computational Linguists find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on computational linguist resumes?

Jennifer Cramer

Associate Professor and Chair, University of Kentucky

Linguistics stands at the intersection of the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Therefore, the skills one acquires in linguistics degree programs can include many types. What stands out for most is their ability to apply quantitative and qualitative problem-solving skills to a wide range of problems. Most students are given the opportunity to learn how to use specialized tools that have specific applications in linguistics but can also be used in various other domains (e.g., various statistical packages, programming languages, visualization tools, audio recording equipment). Yet, they also learn to critically assess data on more qualitative measures, like discourse and sentiment analysis, which also have applications beyond the field. The most impressive resume is one that showcases that a person not only understands these approaches to a problem but can carefully articulate the problem, to begin with, execute a plan to find solutions to that problem, and produce a complete project that addresses the nuances of language in clear and concise ways.

What soft skills should all computational linguists possess?

Jennifer Cramer

Associate Professor and Chair, University of Kentucky

Every linguistics program will teach students to use critical thinking and reading skills. In many cases, because of the complex nature of the linguistic structure, linguistics students must develop a keen sense of pattern-finding. Also, research is usually the main component of a linguistics degree program. Therefore students are typically well-trained in academic writing. Yet, because language is of interest to many, it is also important for linguistics students to develop an ability to explain what this research accomplishes in lay person's terms and what real-world implications it has.

What hard/technical skills are most important for computational linguists?

Jennifer Cramer

Associate Professor and Chair, University of Kentucky

As more text-to-speech and speech-to-text devices become commonplace, linguists must stay on the cutting edge of technology. I expect many recent graduates to have experience with basic statistical, corpus, and computational linguistics tools. But I also expect that they can consider those tools within the context of actual language use; that is, for Siri to understand Appalachian voices, for example, those people designing the backend have to be familiar with dialects beyond the standard. Thus, while the technical skills are necessary, they are not sufficient in and of themselves. A student must apply those tools within the appropriate contexts with the relevant linguistic and cultural knowledge necessary for their deployment.

Do you want to know more?

List of computational linguist skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a computational linguist resume and required skills for a computational linguist to have include:

Python
NLP
Java
Extraction
Perl
Data Analysis

Linux
Entity Recognition
SQL
Foreign Language
API
Visualization

Unix
Debugging
Regression
R
Machine Learning

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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