LANGUAGE SPECIALIST PROFILES
Mina
Click here to listen to Mina's words - spoken by an actor
I didn't see myself as a Language Specialist, but I spoke Arabic and a friend suggested I apply. It's a unique way to use your languages 100%, although you also need to be interested in the politics and culture of the area your language comes from too.
It's extremely rewarding as you're helping to contribute to the understanding of a particular subject of importance to the Service. It's also great when you receive feedback on how your work fits into the bigger picture. But it's essential that you have faith in your language abilities as often you're the only person working on that particular piece. Analysis and judgement are very important, as is good drafting in English.
Of course, you have the opportunity to study further languages or dialects, which is great for language enthusiasts. We're really passionate about languages here, and it's great to work with people from so many different backgrounds and cultures.
That said, it's not all about language. I'm often asked to take on projects within the section which allow me to demonstrate my other skills too.
Ben
My main languages are French and German. And although I work as a Language Specialist, don't imagine I spend all my time translating written text into English. Sometimes I'm called on to carry out interpreting assignments. Also there's also a certain amount of work which involves summarising material that's in a foreign language for people to read in English.
Before I came to SIS, I was a freelance translator which meant that I had a great variety of work to do but it was all one kind of work. What I really like about being in SIS now is that I have the opportunity to work in lots of different ways and also with material that, I have to say, is absolutely fascinating.