So You Wanna Be a Linguist?

Over the past few weeks, I’ve visited several local schools and universities and had the privilege of speaking with many talented future translators. I wanted to emphasise the importance of learning languages — not just for work, but for life.

I come from Italy, where studying a foreign language is often seen as essential if you want to work across many industries. I understand that being able to speak another language can be a form of privilege. But I’m an even bigger believer that learning a language gives you an extra layer of access to other people’s culture — how they think, what they value, their humour, and their way of seeing the world.

I also realised that many young people don’t really know what a translator does — or what an interpreter or a project manager in a translation agency actually does. And I don’t blame them: when it’s done well, so much of this work is invisible.

I’ve been working in the language industry for almost 20 years, and over that time I’ve worked with, supported, and helped develop the careers of many linguists. Languages have always been at the centre of my work, but it wasn’t until I slowed down and really took the time to get to know some of the linguists I work with that I realised how much more there was to learn.

Those conversations led to more informal interviews, often over a cup of tea, simply to understand who they were, how they found their way into languages, and what their careers actually looked like day to day. These interviews became the A Cuppa With… series — created to give space to real stories rather than polished CVs or job titles.

Listening more closely also helped me understand what genuinely supports linguists: what motivates them, what gets in their way, and what allows them to do their best work. And one thing became very clear — there isn’t just one path into becoming a linguist.