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Thread: working with interpreters

  1. #1
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    Default working with interpreters

    I'm not sure if someone posted it earlier, but this video very nicely highlights the critical role (and potential problems) of local interpreters in COIN operations.

    Afghanistan: Lost in translation The Guardian, Thursday June 12 2008.

    When the US 173rd Airborne's Charlie Company try to speak to a Pashtun elder, the gulf is so great even the interpreters have given up interpreting. John D McHugh reports
    As you'll see from the video, unreliable interpretation causes the US team to miss valuable intelligence, lose their temper at a possibly cooperative village elder, and probably alienate the village in the process--while having many of their preconceived notions "confirmed."
    Last edited by Rex Brynen; 07-11-2008 at 05:58 AM.

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    Council Member Stan's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rex Brynen View Post

    As you'll see from the video, unreliable interpretation causes the US team to miss valuable intelligence, lose their temper at a possibly cooperative village elder, and possibly alienate the village in the process--while having many of their preconceived notions "confirmed."
    Hey Rex,
    Great points ! I need not imagine the same information being turned into intelligence reporting and forwarded to D.C. and NATO.
    If you want to blend in, take the bus

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