Double Major: Linguistics/Comp Sci Options

College Majors Math/Computer Science Majors
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<p>Hello, I am a student wanting to double major in linguistics and computer science. I decided on linguistics due to my own personal interest in linguistics but I knew it wasn't super marketable on its own, and the few jobs that do exist for it aren't something I want for a career. I also have a strong interest in computers and was thinking about doing something math-related, so Comp Sci seemed like a perfect second major that I would enjoy and I'd also have more job security and more money. </p>

<p>That said, I'm not sure exactly what I want to do with these degrees when I graduate. The first thing people jump to when they hear my double major is computational linguistics which I'm not particularly interested in on its own. I've heard of (and considered) a few other options that would utilize both degrees, such as artificial intelligence jobs and search engine optimization to name a couple. I'm not 100% sure what other options are there for this double major, though I know it is a somewhat popular choice, and I realize a fair number of Comp Sci may not know the answer either but I thought I'd put it out there. And I may just do something in computer science and not linguistics, but I'm just exploring my options. </p>

<p>I appreciate your thoughts and opinions!</p>

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<p>I don’t know anything about linguistics, just that it’s the science of language. The only applications in CS that deal with language are translators (although Google Translate, for instance, relies on user-input being validated numerous times, thus increasing the chances of corrections in several languages.) Facebook has been dealing with translating their websites for a long time, and since it wasn’t an easy task to do, they decided to let users manipulate the text instead. Another application would be creating algorithms based on specific words used in a specific language, i.e. for search engines, calculators/computational engines such as Wolfram Alpha, and definitely a lot more in the future that would deal with artificial intelligence/robotics. </p>

<p>As for job prospects, it is very rare that large software/engineering companies are looking for many linguists alone, therefore a double major would be very beneficial for the companies that truly focus on artificial intelligence and computational engines, but also many other software companies. We have to admit, users’ search terms could be interpreted better, assigned more meanings to, thus creating a better experience for online marketeers and generally, the user itself. </p>

<p>Just to give you my personal opinion on this (I’m a CS major), unless this would have an effect on your financials in college (you should look into this), and unless you like language so much that it won’t interfere with CS at all when it comes to time management, you should do it. However, you’ve already named the most popular applications of linguistics in CS, and trust me, linguistics is linguistics. It deals with language, not computers. Having to pursue two, somewhat different degrees would probably keep me from doing more productive projects in CS. I’d rather spend more time on intermediate projects rather on pursuing two degrees that are completely unrelated, nonetheless only minimally applicable to anything that actual software companies are doing right now. </p>

<p>If you want to go to graduate school, you could consider this combination. </p>

<p>I assume that you’re not in college yet, correct? If so, you shouldn’t try to maximize your schedule until you have a real grasp of how your major is like. Take a few courses from both subjects and see how it works out for you. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>I’ve taken three linguistics classes within the last several years, both because I was interested in languages, and to see if there was any applicability to natural language processing or developing interpreters/compilers.</p>

<p>There was only minimal applicability to CS applications. If anything, a better understanding of linguistics made me appreciate how difficult effective natural language processing was.</p>

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<p>econcalc:</p>

<p>I appreciate your reply but I have to disagree with a lot of what you’re saying. Honestly, I want to do linguistics because I love it. I want to do computer science because I like computers and math and I’m good with them, and I like it enough that combining the two would be pretty awesome for me. Not to mention there’s money and job security.</p>

<p>So, if I do two degrees, there is the possibility that I could work in computational linguistics. If that doesn’t work out, I can still do lots of stuff in computer science by itself. Artificial intelligence is a big enough market that regardless of whether or not I’m focusing on the language side of it, though that would be fun, I could still get a job in it. </p>

<p>Yeah, I will be doing both. It’s flat rate tuition, so as long as I only take four years and not five in completing a double major there should be no problem. And I’m a college freshman right now. I’ll start taking some introductory courses next year, I hope.</p>

<p>Again, thanks for the reply.</p>

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<p>If you have a fixed opinion on your decisions, why ask about peoples’ opinions and thoughts? Just by reading the second sentence of your reply, you’re classifying your question as being useless to the audience in the first place.</p>

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<p>Might try symbolic systems as a major, if you get the chance. </p>

<p>From stanford’s site:
" The notions of symbol, meaning, representation, information, and action are at the heart of the study of symbolic systems. This common core of notions arises in a variety of fields including artificial intelligence, computer science, cognitive psychology, linguistics, philosophy, and symbolic logic."
[Symbolic</a> Systems - Stanford » What is Sym Sys?](<a href=“http://symsys.stanford.edu/ssp_description]Symbolic”>Span. Dig Deep. Solve complex problems. | Symbolic Systems Program)</p>

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