Science & ResearchScience and engineering professionalsISCO 2152
language engineer
Language engineers work within the field of computing science, and more specifically in the field of natural language processing. They aim to close the gap in translation between accurate human translations to machine-operated translators. They parse texts, compare and map translations, and improve the linguistics of translations through programming and code.
About language engineer
As a language engineer, you work at the intersection of linguistics, computer science, and artificial intelligence to advance machine translation technology. Your role involves analyzing text data, developing algorithms that improve translation accuracy, and programming solutions that bridge the gap between human and machine translation capabilities. You apply your expertise in computational linguistics, natural language processing, and statistical analysis to create innovative technologies that help break down language barriers. This role offers exciting opportunities to shape how machines understand and process human language.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a language engineer.
1
Natural Language Processing Development
- Develop and implement natural language processing algorithms and models
- Parse and analyze textual data to extract linguistic features and patterns
- Apply machine learning and artificial intelligence principles to language processing tasks
- Optimize NLP models for performance, accuracy, and scalability
2
Machine Translation Engineering
- Develop and improve machine translation systems and engines
- Compare and map translations between source and target languages
- Improve linguistic quality of translations through algorithm refinement and code development
- Follow and implement translation quality standards and evaluation metrics
3
Software Development and Programming
- Write clean, efficient code in multiple programming languages for language processing applications
- Develop code exploits and solutions to resolve translation technology challenges
- Manage engineering projects and coordinate with cross-functional teams
4
Requirements Analysis and Technical Specification
- Interpret technical requirements and specifications from stakeholders
- Define clear technical requirements for translation technology projects
- Evaluate existing translation technologies and identify improvement opportunities
5
Research and Analysis
- Perform scientific research to advance the field of computational linguistics
- Apply statistical analysis techniques to evaluate translation model performance
- Use technical drawing software and documentation to visualize system architecture
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (19)
engineering principlesengineering principlesThe engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.modern languagesmodern languagesAll human languages still actively used today.machine translationmachine translationThe computing field that researches the use of software for translating text or speech from one language to another.algorithmsalgorithmsThe self-contained step-by-step sets of operations that carry out calculations, data processing and automated reasoning, usually to solve problems.technical drawingstechnical drawingsDrawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.project managementproject managementThe discipline of project management, the activities which comprise this area and the variables implied in it, such as time, resources, requirements, deadlines, and responding to unexpected events.task algorithmisationtask algorithmisationThe techniques to convert unstructured descriptions of a process into step-by-step sequence of actions of a finite number of steps.computational linguisticscomputational linguisticsThe computer science field that researches the modelling of natural languages into computational and programming languages.principles of artificial intelligenceprinciples of artificial intelligenceThe artificial intelligence theories, applied principles, architectures and systems, such as intelligent agents, multi-agent systems, expert systems, rule-based systems, neural networks, ontologies an...natural language processingnatural language processingThe technologies which enable ICT devices to understand and interact with users through human language.apply statistical analysis techniquesapply statistical analysis techniquesUse models (descriptive or inferential statistics) and techniques (data mining or machine learning) for statistical analysis and ICT tools to analyse data, uncover correlations and forecast trends.perform scientific researchperform scientific researchGain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.use technical drawing softwareuse technical drawing softwareCreate technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.manage engineering projectmanage engineering projectManage engineering project resources, budget, deadlines, and human resources, and plan schedules as well as any technical activities pertinent to the project.follow translation quality standardsfollow translation quality standardsComply with agreed standards, such as the European standard EN 15038 and the ISO 17100, to ensure that requirements for language-service providers are met and to guarantee uniformity.develop code exploitsdevelop code exploitsCreate and test software exploits in a controlled environment to uncover and check system bugs or vulnerabilities.interpret technical requirementsinterpret technical requirementsAnalyse, understand and apply the information provided regarding technical conditions.define technical requirementsdefine technical requirementsSpecify technical properties of goods, materials, methods, processes, services, systems, software and functionalities by identifying and responding to the particular needs that are to be satisfied acc...evaluate translation technologiesevaluate translation technologiesUse technologies for translation and provide observations on their use for defined purposes.
Optional (21)
information structureinformation structureThe type of infrastructure which defines the format of data: semi-structured, unstructured and structured.screen readerscreen readerSoftware program which converts screen elements such as text, images, or buttons, displayed in the computer into Braille or speech. Assistive technology used by visually impaired or blind people to in...cognitive psychologycognitive psychologyThe human mental processes such as attention, memory, language use, perception, problem solving, creativity and thinking.linguisticslinguisticsThe scientific study of language and its three aspects, language form, language meaning, and language in context.terminologyterminologyThe study of terms, their etymology, and their use. The study of the meaning of words depending on the context in which they are used, the origin of the word, and its evolution over time.probability theoryprobability theoryThe branch of mathematics concerned with the analysis of random phenomena.grammargrammarThe set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language.semanticssemanticsThe branch of linguistics that studies meaning; it analyses of words, phrases, signs, and symbols and the relation between them.develop translation memory softwaredevelop translation memory softwareDevelop and improve translation memory software for retrieving equivalent target texts in existing databases when translating from one language to another.speak different languagesspeak different languagesMaster foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.use word processing softwareuse word processing softwareUse computer software applications for composition, editing, formatting, and printing of any sort of written material.use computer-aided translationuse computer-aided translationOperate computer-aided translation (CAT) software to facilitate the language translation processes.apply grammar and spelling rulesapply grammar and spelling rulesApply the rules of spelling and grammar and ensure consistency throughout texts.conduct search engine optimisationconduct search engine optimisationExecute optimal marketing research and strategies on search engine processes, also known as search engine marketing (SEM), in order to increase online traffic and website exposure.manage localisationmanage localisationModify content or a product for the transference from one locale to another through the use of content translation or localisation service providers.use dictionariesuse dictionariesUse glossaries and dictionaries to search for the meaning, the spelling, and synonyms of words.use translation memory softwareuse translation memory softwareFacilitate efficient language translation using translation memory software.update language skillsupdate language skillsResearch or practice language skills to stay current with language changes in order to best translate or interpret.translate language conceptstranslate language conceptsTranslate one language into another language. Match words and expressions with their corresponding brothers in other languages, while making sure that the message and nuances of the original text are ...manage ICT semantic integrationmanage ICT semantic integrationOversee integration of public or internal databases and other data, by using semantic technologies to produce structured semantic output.speech recognitionspeech recognitionThe development in the computing field where voice can be recognised by machines and present the results of the spoken fragment or command.
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Quick Facts
SectorScience & Research
ISCO GroupScience and engineering professionals
Essential Skills19
Core Skills0