Students choose to study Modern Languages for a variety of reasons: because it combines learning a language with literature, because it is an opportunity to travel, or maybe just because they are passionate about a certain country.
Whatever the reason may be, one thing is certain: Modern Languages students will all get to travel across the world in their third year while pretending to study hard.
Although certain language skeptics may believe Modern Languages students do not work hard, they do face many challenges. Like English Literature students, they are expected to dissect books and understand what the author may or may not have meant. However they must do this in a language they barely master. Here is where translations come in handy.
To be honest, Modern Languages students should not complain, between WordReference, Verbix and Google Translate, translating and reading books in foreign languages has never been easier. The real challenge is being examined without access to wifi after four years of using your computer to do all your work.
At the end of the day, studying Modern Languages is an amazing choice, speaking languages is a valued by companies, you can impress people by speaking to foreigners from across the world, and travelling is much less daunting because of the experience you have gained throughout university.
So, for all linguists out there, here is a list of the top 11 things Modern Languages students know to be true:
11 Things Modern Languages Students Know To Be True
1. People do not seem aware that you study both languages and literature.(01 of11)
Open Image ModalYes, Les Mis has to be read in French (credit:april-mo/Flickr)
2. Erasmus will not make you fluent in the language you are studying.(02 of11)
Open Image ModalI now know how to order ice cream. In Italian. (credit:Photo Art by Mandy via Getty Images)
3. WordReference and JSTOR are your best friends.(03 of11)
Open Image ModalNo time for actual dictionaries! (credit:Warchi via Getty Images)
4. People underestimate the usefulness of the language you are studying.(04 of11)
Open Image Modal"But Portuguese is only spoken in Portugal!" ... "Nope." (credit:Izan Petterle via Getty Images)
5. Hypothetical Clauses are a nightmare.(05 of11)
Open Image ModalSi j'avais faim, je mangerais une pizza. (credit:kaan tanman via Getty Images)
6. You will try to impress your significant other with your language skills during trips abroad.(06 of11)
Open Image ModalAnd your significant other will not know you made ten mistakes just ordering your meal. (credit:Dave and Les Jacobs via Getty Images)
7. Your will use WordReference and Google Translate for your homework and wonder how you will survive without it during exams.(07 of11)
Open Image ModalThe extent of your vocabulary without access to wifi. (credit:Getty Images)
8. Finding anything new to say about books that have been studied for 500 years is impossible.(08 of11)
Open Image ModalThousands of scholars have done it before you. You are not innovating. (credit:Moyan_Brenn (back soon, sorry for not commenting)/Flickr)
9. People will tell you your degree is easy.(09 of11)
Open Image ModalJust stop speaking to me. (credit:Erich Auerbach via Getty Images)
10. People will assume you want to teach or become a translator.(10 of11)
Open Image ModalBecause no other job requires languages. (credit:Chris Ryan via Getty Images)
11. You will read most of the books in English first.(11 of11)
Open Image ModalJust to be sure you actually understand the story... (credit:Tooga via Getty Images)