Did you know that language and computer programming can be a match made in heaven? Register now at the North-West University for the recurriculated three-year degree in language technology to explore the possibilities of this unusual combination.

This field of study specialises in the use of natural language processing to develop human language technology. This means that software on your computer or mobile phone is taught to recognise, understand and even produce your spoken and written language.

Within the South African context, language technologists and computer linguists have the skills and knowledge to help promote resource-scarce languages ​​in the country. The North-West University's Centre for Text Technology, CTexT®, focuses on researching and developing products and services to facilitate the interaction between people and computers. CTexT® also offers internship opportunities to postgraduate language technology students where they can participate in practical language technology projects and gain valuable work experience.

Language technology and computer science students who pursue a BA honours degree in language technology develop further knowledge on the more advanced aspects of computer linguistics, machine learning (a subdivision of artificial intelligence) and data mining.

With a qualification in language technology, you can further develop the potential of natural language processing locally or overseas. Think of chatbots, machine translators like Google Translate or CTexT®’s own Autshumato, speech recognition assistants like Siri or Alexa and other electronic writing tools.

Major research and development groups such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft and others are constantly refining and expanding natural language processing, and they are looking for your skills.

Visit the CTexT® website at humanties.nwu.ac.za/ctext for more information and bursary opportunities.