Afrikanist/Afrikanistin

Key media sources for Africanists include Africa Spectrum, Afrikanistik-Aegyptologie-Online (AAeO), DARIAH-DE, New African, and zenith.

To be successful in this field, an interest in theoretical-abstract activities is important. For example, computer-aided evaluation and comparison of African languages, and researching foreign-language specialist literature for one's own studies fall into this category. An interest in creative-design activities is also helpful; for instance, developing and designing digital materials for learning African languages.

Africanists primarily work in offices, meeting and teaching rooms, lecture halls and seminar rooms, as well as in library and archive rooms (for research activities). Additionally, they may also work from a home office or remotely, as needed.

Core competencies acquired or deepened during their university studies (Studium) include African Studies (Afrikanistik), preparing specialist publications, research, cultural studies, linguistics, literary studies, regional studies, and language science. Further competencies that may be significant for practicing this profession include Afrikaans, Akan/Twi (West Africa), Bambara (West Africa, Mali), Hausa (West Africa), intercultural communication, cultural geography, cultural history, university teaching (Lehrtätigkeit (Hochschule)), editing (Lektorat), lexicography, literary translation, journalism, research, information gathering, editorial work (Redaktion), Swahili (East Africa), translation, and out-of-school instruction/training.

The ongoing digitalization of the working and professional world can change job profiles and requirements. For Africanists, opportunities may arise to engage with the following technologies, procedures, or systems: Audio-mining systems (e.g., automatically transcribing and tagging audiovisual recordings for corpus analysis), blended learning (e.g., preparing teaching materials for combining virtual learning settings and in-person events), Computer-Aided Translation - CAT (e.g., creating linguistic concepts for the development of CAT tools), digital cultural mediation (e.g., creating and maintaining content for digital mediation methods of cultural institutions), digital whiteboards (e.g., using an interactive, digital whiteboard in training sessions and language courses), Document Management Systems - DMS (e.g., digitally managing manuscripts, text products, and research results), Machine Translation - MT (e.g., linguistic).

Africanists require analytical skills and high textual and linguistic competence when reading primary and secondary literature and for writing, editing, or translating texts. They conduct thorough research, utilizing (partially foreign-language) specialist literature from libraries, the internet, or insights gained at specialist conferences. Openness and willingness for stays abroad are indispensable. If they work, for example, for news or cultural editorial offices in African countries, this requires intercultural competence. In cultural or public relations work, they apply their communication skills, among others. Depending on their workplace, they cooperate with colleagues, scientists from other disciplines, editors, marketing, media, or IT specialists, for example, when developing specialist books or digital learning materials. In doing so, they demonstrate their willingness to make contact and their ability to work in a team.

Africanists can work freelance, for example, as tour guides or in journalism.

Due to the broad professional spectrum, no representative salary information can be provided. Please check BERUFENET for current details.

Publishing houses (books and magazines), radio and television (foreign affairs, travel, or culture editorial departments), adult education (foreign language teacher at community colleges), translation and interpreting services, public relations (intercultural communication consulting), journalism (news agencies, blogs, social media), advertising (intercultural communication), tourism (travel services).

To work in this profession, a completed undergraduate degree (grundständiges Studium) in African Studies is usually required. Leadership positions or specialized tasks often require a master's degree (Masterstudium). Activities in science and research frequently presuppose a doctorate (Promotion) or habilitation (Habilitation).

African Studies (undergraduate), African Studies (postgraduate).

Africanists can find employment in the media industry, communication and translation agencies, educational and consulting institutions, tourism, and at universities and research institutes.

Africanist. Professional title in French: Africaniste (m/f).

Some characteristics of work and social behavior are equally relevant for all professions and are therefore not mentioned separately. These include: reliability, punctuality, honesty, ability to criticize, and appropriate manners. In addition, the following profession-specific characteristics are required to practice this academic profession: Willingness to perform and commit (e.g., willingness to diligently and flexibly prepare and edit manuscripts to meet planned publication dates). Diligence (e.g., precise research and evaluation of primary and secondary literature). Independent working style (e.g., independent conception and management of literary and cultural history events). Intercultural competence (e.g., imparting knowledge about literature and culture of the African linguistic area).

Africanists deal with the culture, language, and literature of Africa. They work, for example, in editorial offices, in adult education, in the field of translation, in cultural and economic consulting, or at universities.

Deutscher Museumsbund, hueber.de, The Linguist List, titus.uni-frankfurt.de.

Bundesverband der Dolmetscher und Übersetzer e.V. (BDÜ), Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Fremdsprachenforschung (DGFF), Fachverband Afrikanistik e.V., Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft (GEW), ver.di - Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft.

Responsibility for individuals (e.g., teaching and supervising students). Screen work (e.g., researching literature, preparing reports and publications). Frequent absence from home (e.g., during on-site research). Work in office rooms (e.g., documenting teaching objectives in terms of quality assurance and reviewing achievements). Work in teaching/training rooms (e.g., conducting lectures in auditoriums or seminar rooms in front of a group).

Africanists can be employed in various fields. In adult education, they can work as teachers or lecturers, teach at universities, or coordinate study programs. In the media sector (print, online, multimedia), they can work as literary agents, press spokespersons, or PR specialists. In editorial, journalism, and proofreading, they can be chief editors, e-learning authors, journalists, proofreaders in publishing houses, online editors, or editors. In language instruction, they can be foreign language teachers, and in corporate consulting, intercultural communication consultants. They can also participate in scientific research as research associates, leaders of research groups, or scientific staff.

Research and work materials include primary and secondary literature, country-specific documents, textbooks, dictionaries, grammars, specialized journals, manuscripts, literary analyses, teaching materials, and curricula. Office equipment, presentation tools, and software include PCs, internet access, telephones, projectors, translation programs, and Large Language Models (LLM).

Africanists work in various areas. In the media industry, they process texts and develop media products. For example, they create content for online and print media or contributions for television and radio. They can also work in adult education, give language courses, lead events on literature and culture, or offer translation services. In public relations, they write press releases, and in corporate consulting, they maintain international relations. At universities, they conduct research and teach.

Continuing education for adaptation helps to keep professional knowledge current and to adapt to new developments (e.g., in the fields of history, journalism, cultural management, adult education).

Bachelor's graduates can expand their professional and career opportunities through further studies (Studium), for example, in African Studies or Regional Studies - Africa. A doctorate (Promotion) is generally required for a scientific career at a university; to be appointed as a university professor, a habilitation (postdoctoral lecturing qualification) is usually needed. A doctorate may also facilitate access to higher professional positions in the private sector, research, and public administration.

Mediating literature and language; acquiring, reviewing, and making usable data, documents, and literature; text work. In the publishing sector: editing manuscripts; supporting authors; writing editorial contributions; developing new products. In television and radio: working editorially, e.g., writing and editing reports, commentaries, articles, etc.; conducting research. In adult education: preparing and conducting language courses; leading literary and cultural-historical events. In translation: transferring linguistic content from the source language to the target language and vice versa; evaluating foreign language texts, reviewing and commenting on original and target texts; post-editing texts translated by machine or LLM. In public relations: preparing press conferences and appointments; writing press releases; compiling press kits; performing tasks related to international relations. They can also be involved in the arts.

The following additional employment alternatives are available for the profession of Africanist: In the field of art and cultural management, one can work as a regional scholar for African studies or a cultural manager. Common aspects include mediating culture, preparing and delivering lectures. In the field of tourism, travel, and animation, one can work as a tour guide. Common aspects again include mediating culture, preparing and delivering lectures. These alternatives may require extensive training or additional qualifications.

Africanists deal with the culture, language, and literature of Africa. They can work in editorial roles, adult education, translation, public relations, art, cultural and economic consulting, or in academia and teaching. In publishing houses, they support authors, proofread, and edit manuscripts. They also write specialist articles or reports on literary and cultural topics for publishers, television, radio, or other media. For a career in journalism, a traineeship (Volontariat) or relevant practical journalistic qualification is usually required in addition to a completed university degree (Studium). In adult education, Africanists teach languages or design and lead literary and cultural history events, while in translation, they transfer, review, and comment on linguistic content.

The following abilities, knowledge, and skills are required for possible activities in this academic profession. Abilities include verbal (linguistic) thinking (e.g., analyzing and interpreting linguistic and textual forms of expression and means) and the ability to plan and organize (e.g., planning and organizing cooperation with educational and cultural institutions in African countries). Knowledge and skills include text comprehension (e.g., analyzing and interpreting pragmatic and literary texts) and written expression and spelling proficiency (e.g., writing linguistic, literary, and cultural scientific essays or press releases).

The activity as an Africanist is not regulated. To work in this profession with a qualification acquired abroad, no professional recognition is necessary. However, it is possible to apply for an individual certificate evaluation for foreign university degrees by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). This can be helpful for applications on the German labor market. Further information on living and working in Germany: Hotline Working and Living in Germany - central information hotline of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and the Federal Employment Agency (BA); For people from abroad - an information service of the Federal Employment Agency; Central Foreign and Specialist Placement of the Federal Employment Agency; Make it in Germany - The welcome portal of the skilled workers initiative for international skilled workers.

The following health limitations could lead to problems when performing the profession. These statements do not necessarily apply to every activity profile or every professional application. Increasingly, there are also possibilities to compensate for limitations, for example, through technical aids. Susceptibility to infection, chronic infectious diseases (e.g., traveling to tropics and other countries with unfavorable climatic conditions and infection risks), speech impediment, speech defects (e.g., teaching African languages and cultures to students), uncorrectable near vision impairment (e.g., analyzing text products from the African region), hearing loss, hard of hearing, deafness, hearing disorder, chronic ear conditions (e.g., listening to students' pronunciation and, if necessary, giving suggestions for improvement; performing translation work) could cause problems. Please note: This information does not form a basis for legal action and is not to be understood in the sense of a medical suitability assessment.

For the profession of Africanist, the following alternative staffing options are available from an employer's perspective: individuals working in art and cultural management, or regional scientists specializing in African studies. Common aspects include mediating culture, and preparing and delivering presentations. Please note that the mentioned alternatives may require an onboarding period, which can vary in length depending on the individual case.