1 Introduction

Since the concept of language services was proposed in 2010, the Chinese language service industry has developed rapidly, with a significant increase in the number and output value of enterprises. Despite the large number of translation service talents, there is still a shortage of high-end and non universal language talents. This article aims to explore the necessity and feasibility of establishing an undergraduate major in international language services, propose a training plan, and provide new ideas for the cultivation of foreign language talents.

The historical background of the establishment of the International Language Services major

Elaborated in detail the development process of China's language service industry from birth to maturity. The period from 1990 to 2000 was the birth stage, and the reform and opening up provided the development soil for language services. The period from 2000 to 2010 was the development stage, with landmark events such as the Shanghai World Expo Language Environment Construction Forum and the establishment of the Beijing Olympic Games Multilingual Service Center. From 2010 to 2020, as a stage of growth, the Chinese Translation Association held a conference to promote the integration of language services with national strategies, and academic research and professional education began to rise. Since 2021, it has been a mature stage. Beijing Language and Culture University has established the "International Language Services" major, and national policies have begun to clearly support the development of the language service industry.

The Necessity and Feasibility of Establishing International Language Service Majors

The language service industry in the 21st century is closely linked to information technology and economic globalization, with significant growth in global language service output and the number of enterprises. Countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom support the development of the language service industry through policies and laws. The development of international language services in China can help enhance national governance capabilities and integrate into globalization. Under the background of high-quality opening-up to the outside world, China's service industry, especially the language service industry, is facing a shortage of talents. Establishing an international language service major can meet the development needs of modern service industry. In the context of the new era, foreign language disciplines need to innovate and develop, and the establishment of international language service majors can help transform and upgrade foreign language disciplines. Beijing Language and Culture University and other universities have explored talent cultivation models to cultivate versatile talents, providing disciplinary foundations and practical experience for the establishment of majors.

The establishment of the International Language Services major has policy and theoretical basis

The Higher Education Law of the People's Republic of China grants universities the power to independently establish and adjust disciplines and majors to adapt to technological progress and social development. The addition and removal of majors in the 2020 edition of the Undergraduate Major Catalogue of General Higher Education Institutions by the Ministry of Education reflects the dynamic adjustment of talent demand. The language service discipline has a complete theoretical system, covering multiple fields such as applied translation studies and language planning. It adopts interdisciplinary research methods and its professional team is composed of both academia and industry.

5 Professional Connotation, Positioning, and Training Standards

There are significant differences in the connotation, positioning, and training standards between the International Language Services major and the Translation major. This major relies on cross linguistic abilities and focuses on language application in modern service industries, solving practical problems such as language strategic planning, emergency services, localization, technology, standardization, trade, and international communication, with stronger applicability and versatility. In terms of positioning, the International Language Services major aims to cultivate comprehensive talents who not only possess translation skills, but also need to master composite abilities such as information technology, service trade, international services, international communication, and cross language consulting and management. The disciplinary boundaries are clear, with language proficiency as the core, focusing on language application and development in the service industry, and solving related language problems. In terms of training standards, this major is aimed at emerging professions and positions, such as language managers, localization specialists, product supervisors, terminology administrators, big data analysts, technical writing specialists, exhibition servers, customer service assistants, post translation editors, asset managers, and new media editors. Students are required to undergo systematic knowledge system learning, professional standards, and professional ability training.

Design Ideas for Undergraduate Training Program of International Language Services

Based on 6 years of training practice in the localization direction at XX University in Beijing, we have designed an undergraduate program in International Language Services. The program includes 5 major module courses: language basics, computer science, translation, localization, and professional general education. Graduates have good employment prospects. Among the 18 graduates of the class of 2020, 11 continued their studies and 7 entered the workforce. Emphasize the cultivation of "language+technology+service", increase service courses, and broaden the scope of vocational skills, such as computer science, big data analysis, cross-border e-commerce, etc.

7 Conclusion

The International Language Services program aims to cultivate talents with diverse abilities to adapt to the high-quality development of the modern service industry. This major faces challenges such as faculty, hardware equipment, disciplinary support, and internship base construction. We need to establish a diversified teacher team, equipped with advanced teaching facilities, integrate multidisciplinary resources, and establish cooperation with international organizations and enterprises. The 2022 Central Talent Work Conference proposed to comprehensively cultivate, introduce, and make good use of talents, and the new development of foreign language disciplines will contribute to the construction of a world important talent center.