foreign language centre rnla 1 22 may 2007 interpreter support for military operations gerard...
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INTERPRETER SUPPORT forINTERPRETER SUPPORT forMILITARY OPERATIONSMILITARY OPERATIONSGerard SeinhorstForeign Language CentreRoyal Netherlands Army
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Background – the nature of the problem
Workshop • Aim• Participants• Topics• Outcomes
The way ahead a role for BILC?
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BACKGROUND
Interpreters
MISSION
ESSENTIAL
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BACKGROUND
Interpreters
FORCE MULTIPLIER
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ANOTHER VIEW ON INTERPRETERS
Interpreters are at worst a nuisance and at best a necessary evil
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MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT INTERPRETING
•Anyone who speaks a foreign language can be an interpreter
• Interpreting is easy
• Interpreters don't need to understand what they are interpreting
• Interpreters can be hired and deployed instantly
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THE TRUTH…A professional interpreter is
• bilingual
• bicultural
• accurate
• impartial / unbiased
• reliable / discrete
• educated
• experienced / knowledgeable
• respected
• available
• compatible
• physically and mentally fit
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THE TRUTH…
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THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM
How to find the right number of interpreters with the right qualifications in the right time?
Needs assessment
Recruitment, training, testing
Quality control
Tracking, registration, deployment
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INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP
“Interpreter Support for Military Operations”
Ede, The Netherlands24-25 April, 2007
14 participants from• Denmark• Germany• Norway• UK• Netherlands• NATO: Linguistic services SHAPE, SFOR, CC-Land HQ Heidelberg
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AIM OF THE WORKSHOP
To address issues concerning foreign language support during military operations
• exchange experiences and knowledge
• identify best practices in interpreter support
• detect possible fields for multinational
collaboration
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DISCUSSION TOPICS
Defining qualifications for interpreters in the military
Management of interpreter support
International co-operation in providing interpreter support
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OUTCOMES
Scope “Linguistic Support” in general
Regular Follow-up Meetings Separate MN Workshops? BILC Permanent WG?
NATO Guidance Allied Joint Publication ‘Linguistic Support for Multinational Operations’
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ALLIED JOINT PUBLICATION
1. Planning & Preparation Short and long term capabilities
Mapping (existing capabilities)
National and NATO OPR for linguistic matters
Coordination and cooperation among nations (through permanent NATO cell?)
Advance preparations
Phasing and redeployment
Timeliness
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ALLIED JOINT PUBLICATION
2. Organization and Manning Command & Control
Structure
Manpower (categories, functions, grades)
Job descriptions
Assessment and evaluation
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ALLIED JOINT PUBLICATION
3. Recruitment and Training (1) Categories of linguistic personnel
(military, civilian, locally employed civilians)
Qualifications• Language skill levels
• Translation/interpretation skill levels
• Native speaker / non-native linguist
• Locally employed civilians
• Age, gender, ethnic background
Contracting
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ALLIED JOINT PUBLICATION
3. Recruitment and Training (2) Security clearance
Personal security
Training (language, techniques, ethics, military)
Testing (linguistic, medical, psychological)
Training of users of linguistic services
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ALLIED JOINT PUBLICATION
4. Operations Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Users’ requirements Support for linguistic services Expectation management
• limitations of linguists
• limitations of technology (e.g. translation software)
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THE WAY AHEAD
Allied Joint Operations Doctrine WG
AJOD WG Meeting – September 2007
Panel production of the AJP permanent forum for Linguistic Support issues link to BILC
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AJOD WG PANEL
Temporary Point of Contact
Mr. Ian JonesHead Linguistic Services
SHAPETel. 0032-65-44 4733
E-mail: [email protected]
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ONE MORE MISCONCEPTION
Interpreters are expected to translate literally what is being said
But that should not be taken too literally…
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LATHANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
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QUESTIONS?