Arabist/Arabistin

Various media sources such as DARIAH-DEislam.de, MENALIB - The Middle East Virtual Library, ORIENTQantara.de - Dialogue with the Islamic World, Zeitschrift für Arabische Linguistik, zenith.

Trends in Altorientalische Philologie (Ancient Oriental Philology) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) include future automatic learning systems and neural networks identifying text fragments on clay tablets. Using relevant databases, they will compare text sequences and find fragments that belong together to form a continuous text. This could allow partially undeciphered ancient literature to be reconstructed and further researched. Researchers will engage with this new method.

To be successful in this field, an interest in theoretical-abstract activities (e.g., analyzing Arabic scriptures, developing didactic concepts for teaching the Arabic language) and an interest in creative-artistic activities (e.g., sensitively interpreting Arabic poetry from the past and present) are important.

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

Core competencies acquired or deepened during Studium (university studies) include Arabic, Arabistics, creating academic publications, research, linguistics, literary studies, and language science. Further competencies that may be significant for practicing this profession include intercultural communication, cultural geography, cultural history, university teaching, proofreading, lexicography, literary translation, Oriental studies, journalism, research and information gathering, editing, translation, and teaching/training (non-school settings).

The advancing digitalization of the working world can change job profiles and requirements. For Arabists, 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 a combination of 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 whiteboard (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)

Arabists need knowledge of the religion, philosophy, politics, and history of the Arab cultural sphere, 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) specialized literature from libraries, the internet, or insights gained at specialist conferences. Openness and willingness to undertake stays abroad are indispensable, as many things can only be investigated on-site. If they work, for example, for news or cultural editorial offices in Arab countries, this requires intercultural competence. Depending on their area of deployment, they cooperate with colleagues, scientists from other disciplines, editors, marketing, media, or IT specialists, for instance, in the development of specialized books or digital learning materials. In doing so, they demonstrate willingness to make contact and team skills.

Arabists can work freelance in the following areas, for example: in an editorial office, in proofreading, in adult education, in intercultural consulting, in public relations.

Due to the broad professional spectrum, no representative information can be provided. Salary information varies, please check BERUFENET.

Publishing houses (publishing of books, e.g., in specialized book editorial offices; publishing of magazines, e.g., in the field of cultural, literary, and linguistic studies), radio, television, other media dissemination (radio broadcasters and dissemination of audio content, e.g., in foreign affairs, travel, or cultural editorial offices; television broadcasters and dissemination of video content, e.g., in foreign affairs, travel, or cultural editorial offices), adult education, other instruction (general and political adult education, e.g., as a foreign language teacher at adult education centers), translation, interpreting services (translation), public relations (public relations consulting, e.g., on intercultural communication), journalism (news agencies, journalism, dissemination of media content via blogs, other dissemination of media content not elsewhere classified, e.g., social media), advertising (activities of advertising agencies, e.g., in the field of intercultural communication), tourism, other travel services (provision of other travel-related services not elsewhere classified).

Those who wish to work in this profession generally require a completed undergraduate (grundständig) degree in Arabic Studies. Leadership positions or specialized tasks usually require a Master's (Masterstudium) degree. Activities in science and research often presuppose a doctorate (Promotion) or habilitation (Habilitation).

Arabic Studies (undergraduate), Arabic Studies (postgraduate)

Arabists find employment in sectors such as the media industry, communication and translation agencies, educational and consulting institutions, tourism, universities, and research institutes.

To practice this profession, certain key characteristics are required: willingness to perform and commitment (e.g., readiness to prepare and edit manuscripts with dedication and flexibility to meet publication deadlines), diligence (e.g., precise research and evaluation of primary and secondary literature), independent working style (e.g., independent conception and leadership of literary and cultural history events), and intercultural competence (e.g., conveying knowledge about the literature and culture of the Arabic-speaking world).

Arabists deal with the culture, language, and literature of the Arab cultural sphere. They work in areas such as editing, adult education, translation, public relations, or research.

Platforms and websites such as Deutscher Museumsbund, hueber.de, The Linguist List, and titus.uni-frankfurt.de can be used for job and application purposes.

Relevant associations and organizations include the Federal Association of Interpreters and Translators (Bundesverband der Dolmetscher und Übersetzer e.V. - BDÜ), the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft - DFG), the German Society for Foreign Language Research (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Fremdsprachenforschung - DGFF), the German Society for Linguistics (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Sprachwissenschaft - DGfS), the Education and Science Union (Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft - GEW), the United Services Union (ver.di - Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft), and the Association of German-speaking Translators of Literary and Scientific Works (Verband deutschsprachiger Übersetzer literarischer und wissenschaftl. Werke e.V. - VdÜ).

Arabists bear responsibility for individuals (e.g., teaching and supervising students). They perform screen work (e.g., researching literature, preparing reports and publications). They may frequently be absent from their place of residence (e.g., conducting on-site research or study trips). They work in office environments (e.g., documenting teaching objectives for quality assurance and reviewing achievements) and in teaching/training rooms (e.g., conducting lectures in auditoriums or seminar rooms before a group).

Arabists can work in various fields, including adult education (teacher/lecturer), university teaching (lecturer, program coordinator), media production (literary agent, editor), press and public relations (press spokesperson, PR specialist), editorial and journalism (editor-in-chief, e-learning author, journalist, proofreader, online editor), language instruction (foreign language teacher), management consulting (intercultural communication consultant), and scientific research (research associate, head of a research group, scientific staff member).

Research and work materials include primary and secondary literature, country-specific documents, textbooks, dictionaries, grammars, professional journals, manuscripts, literary analyses, teaching materials, and curricula. They also use office equipment and software such as PCs, internet access, telephones, projectors, translation programs, and Large Language Models (LLM).

Arabists work in various fields. In the media industry, they process texts and develop media products, for example, creating 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 management consulting, they maintain international relations. At universities, they conduct research and teach.

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

Bachelor graduates can expand their professional and career opportunities through further Studium (higher education), for example, in Arabic Studies or Islamic Studies. A doctorate (Promotion) is generally required for a scientific career at a university, and a habilitation (postdoctoral qualification) is usually needed for appointment as a university professor. A doctorate may also facilitate access to higher professional positions in the private sector, research, and public administration.

Arabists teach literature and language, collect, organize, and make data, documents, and literature usable. They work in media, education, and communication. In the publishing sector, they edit manuscripts, support authors, write articles, and develop products. In television and radio, they perform editorial work, such as writing reports, commentaries, and news, and conducting research. In adult education, they conduct language courses and lead literary and cultural history events. In translation, they transfer linguistic content orally or in writing from the source language to the target language and vice versa; they evaluate foreign language texts, review and comment on original and target texts; and they post-edit texts translated by machines or LLMs. In public relations, they prepare press appointments, write press releases, and compile press kits. In art and cultural management, they organize collaborations with art and cultural institutions in Arab countries.

The following additional employment alternatives are available for the profession of Arabist: In the field of art and cultural management, one can work as a Cultural Manager or Regional Scientist for Islamic Studies. 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. Please note that the mentioned job alternatives may require a longer training period or additional qualification.

Arabists deal with the culture, language, and literature of the Arab cultural sphere. They work, for example, in editorial departments, 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 write, for example, specialized articles or reports on literary and cultural topics for publishers, television, radio, or other media. For a career in journalism, a traineeship (Volontariat) or corresponding practical journalistic qualification is usually required in addition to a completed university degree (Studium). In adult education, Arabists give language lessons or design and lead literary and cultural history events. In the field of translation, they translate, review, and comment on linguistic content.

The following abilities, knowledge, and skills are required for performing 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 Arabic-speaking countries). Knowledge and skills include text comprehension (e.g., analyzing and interpreting literary theoretical and literary texts such as dramas, novels, or poems) and written expression and spelling proficiency (e.g., writing linguistic, literary, and cultural scientific essays or press releases).

The exercise of the profession may involve the following physical requirements. This information does not necessarily apply to every activity profile or every professional application. Unimpaired speech ability (e.g., holding Arabic courses), near vision - even corrected (e.g., reading Arabic scripts; correcting student assignments; compiling research-relevant literature), hearing ability and speech comprehension (e.g., listening to students' pronunciation and, if necessary, giving suggestions for improvement; performing translation work). Note: This information does not form a basis for legal action and should not be understood in the sense of a medical fitness assessment. Actual physical fitness or unfitness must always be determined on a case-by-case basis and taking into account possible reasonable accommodations.

The following lists professions or activities that show similarities to the original profession. These professions represent a possible alternative for applicants who cannot find a vacant position in their learned profession. Furthermore, employers can consider specialists in these professions as alternatives for filling a job in the original profession. Some alternative professions only include partial activities of the original profession, while others require an induction period, which can vary in length in individual cases. The following immediate employment and staffing alternatives are available for the profession of Arabist: For professional specializations (usually short induction): Business Arabist. In related professions: Middle East Scientist, Semitist. A list of all possible degrees of relatedness can be found here: Explanations of the individual degrees of relatedness.

The activity as an Arabist is not regulated. To work in this profession with a qualification acquired abroad, no professional recognition is necessary. However, there is the possibility to apply for an individual certificate evaluation for foreign university degrees through the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB). This can be helpful for applications in 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 International and Specialist Placement of the Federal Employment Agency. Make it in Germany - The welcome portal of the skilled labor initiative for international skilled workers.

The following health impairments could lead to problems when performing this profession. This information does 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. Speech disorder, speech impediment (e.g., holding Arabic courses); Uncorrectable near vision impairment (e.g., reading Arabic scripts; correcting student homework; compiling research-relevant literature); Hearing loss, hard of hearing, deafness, hearing impairment, chronic ear conditions (e.g., listening to students' pronunciation and, if necessary, providing suggestions for improvement; performing translation work). 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. Actual physical suitability or unsuitability must always be assessed on a case-by-case basis and taking into account relevant circumstances.