---
title: UMD Launches Language Center
date: 2014-02-07T03:00:00-05:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://terp.umd.edu/umd-launches-language-center"
section: Articles
---
# UMD Launches Language Center

*February 7, 2014* — by [David Kohn](/authors/david-kohn)


**Welkom, Bienvenue,** Huānyíng guānglín and Dobro požalovat: The university has opened a research center that will create the largest group of language scientists in North America to examine a range of questions including: how to improve early identification of language disorders in babies; how to create better language recognition systems; and why adults learn languages less efficiently compared with children.


*Language Center shutterstock 136007396*


---


### Translation Program Takes Off


This fall, the Department of Communication inaugurated only the second program of its kind in the nation to train graduate students in translation and interpreting. With significant financial support from Jack Cassell, then-CEO of Visual Aids Electronics, the Graduate Studies in Interpreting and Translation program seeks to help meet the demand for linguists at the United Nations, U.S. Department of State and European Union and in diplomatic, legal, health care and community careers.

Director David Sawyer expects enrollment to jump from 24 last fall to 60 later this year. “This is a high-growth profession,” he says.




**Issue:** [Winter 2014](https://terp.umd.edu/editions/winter-2014)