A pretty scathing article about the Arabic proficiency working for the government appeared in the Middle East Times a week ago.
http://www.metimes.com/storyview.php?StoryID=20070404-045436-9722r
I personally take exception to the statements made in the article, but the commentator does make a few points. I do agree with him that the language is a weapon. Being fluent and the language and competent in the culture only give you the opportunity to start accomplishing the mission. Military linguists manage to do what is asked of them, sometimes despite pitiful language ability. Can you "at most able to order a meal, or ask directions on a Cairo street corner"? How much does that affect your ability to accomplish your mission?
-RQIB
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I also take exception to the comments in the article. His statements do, however, represent the typical military arabic linguists that I have encountered.
I believe the most common deficiency is speaking. I see students of other languages frequently speaking to each other in their target language outside of class. It seems Arabic students are very reluctant carry on small talk. Daily conversation builds proficiency. DLI graduates often display a huge gap in their producition of conversational arabic and technical arabic. For example: Asking a semester 3 student about cloning or abortion might elicit a lengthy discours but ask them what the word for spoon is and they'll most likely draw a blank.
Am I way off here?
Post a Comment