MA German and Italian and Persian
About this course
German, Italian and Persian is a combination that reflects an extraordinary breadth of linguistic and cultural engagement. German is the dominant language of central Europe, with a rich intellectual and literary tradition that spans Goethe, Kafka and Brecht, and the language of one of the world's leading economies. Italian carries one of the most celebrated literary and artistic heritages in the world. Persian, one of the oldest continuously used literary languages, is the primary language of Iran and is also spoken in Afghanistan and Tajikistan, carrying a poetic tradition of extraordinary depth, from Rumi and Hafiz to contemporary literature. Studying all three means engaging with three very different civilisations and their respective contributions to human culture. At the University of St Andrews, the five-year full-time MA (Hons) programme develops your proficiency in all three languages to a high level, alongside substantial engagement with the literatures, histories and cultures they represent. You will develop the ability to read demanding texts in each language and to move between very different cultural frameworks with ease and sensitivity. The combination of European and non-European languages is genuinely unusual and reflects a breadth of cultural curiosity that is valuable both intellectually and professionally. Graduates of unusual language combinations like this are well positioned for careers in the diplomatic service, international organisations, translation and interpreting, journalism, cultural institutions, academia and international business. The combination of German and Italian European coverage with Persian Middle Eastern expertise is particularly relevant for organisations with interests across both regions. Postgraduate study in any of the three language traditions, or in translation, linguistics or area studies, is a natural continuation.
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