So you wanna be a linguist?

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.

I also wanted to better understand the dynamics of their work. What motivates linguists, what challenges they face, and what genuinely helps them do their best work. By listening more closely, I could improve the way I work with linguists and create better systems, better support, and stronger working relationships.

What quickly became clear through these conversations is something I wish more students knew early on. There isn’t just one path into becoming a linguist.

There isn’t just one path to becoming a linguist

One of the biggest lessons from speaking to linguists is that there’s no single “correct” route into this career.

Some linguists know early on that they want to work with languages. They study languages at university, choose degrees in translation or modern languages, and specialise from the start.

Others take a different path. Some grow up bilingual or multilingual and only later realise that the languages they use every day can become a profession.

And then there are linguists who qualify much later. Several of the people I spoke to started out in completely different careers, lived abroad, learned languages through work or travel, and only trained as professional translators years down the line.

What all these paths have in common isn’t age, background, or a specific qualification. It’s curiosity, commitment, and a genuine interest in language and culture.

There’s no deadline for becoming a linguist. Whether you discover languages at school, at university, or later in life, there is more than one way to get there.

Advice from linguists: find your specialism

One piece of advice that came up again and again in my conversations with linguists was the importance of specialising.

Many people assume that being a linguist means translating anything and everything. In reality, linguists who feel most confident and successful usually focus on one or two industries. This might be fashion, beauty, gaming, film and TV, technology, law, or something more niche.

Specialising helps in two ways. It allows you to build deeper knowledge of a subject, not just the language, and it helps you stand out. Choosing an industry that is less crowded or slightly different can make it easier to find regular work and develop long-term professional relationships.

Several linguists also talked about the value of unusual combinations. A less obvious pairing of language and industry can become a real strength over time and shape the kind of work you do.

Specialising doesn’t mean limiting yourself. It means giving your skills focus and allowing them to grow with confidence.

So is being a linguist right for you?

If there’s one thing these conversations have shown me, it’s that being a linguist isn’t about following a fixed plan or having everything worked out early.

It’s about staying curious, practising consistently, and being open to where languages can take you.

There’s no single route into the profession. Some people study languages at university, others become bilingual through life experience, and some find their way into translation much later. What matters is how you develop your skills and how you choose to use them.

For students who enjoy languages, are curious about different cultures, and want a career that can evolve over time, linguistics can offer real opportunities.

You don’t have to have everything figured out yet. The important thing is to stay curious, keep learning, and remember that there’s more than one way to become a linguist.

A final word

At TranslationsInLondon, we work with linguists every day and continue to learn from them through conversations, collaboration, and shared experience. Listening to real stories has shaped not only how we work, but how we think about the future of the profession.

In the New Year, we’ll also be visiting schools and universities to talk to students who are curious about languages and interested in becoming linguists themselves. These sessions are about sharing real experiences, answering honest questions, and showing that there are many different ways to build a career with languages.

If you’re at the beginning of that journey, or even just starting to think about it, remember that curiosity is a great place to start. Languages open doors, often in unexpected ways.