Foreign Language Centre RNLA 1 22 May 2007 INTERPRETER SUPPORT for MILITARY OPERATIONS Gerard Seinhorst Foreign Language Centre Royal Netherlands Army

Foreign Language Centre RNLA 22 May PRESENTATION OUTLINE Background – the nature of the problem Workshop Aim Participants Topics Outcomes The way ahead a role for BILC?

Foreign Language Centre RNLA 22 May BACKGROUND Interpreters MISSION ESSENTIAL

Foreign Language Centre RNLA 22 May BACKGROUND Interpreters FORCE MULTIPLIER

Foreign Language Centre RNLA 22 May ANOTHER VIEW ON INTERPRETERS Interpreters are at worst a nuisance and at best a necessary evil

Foreign Language Centre RNLA 22 May 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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Foreign Language Centre RNLA 22 May THE TRUTH… A professional interpreter is bilingual bicultural accurate impartial / unbiased reliable / discrete educated experienced / knowledgeable respected available compatible physically and mentally fit

Foreign Language Centre RNLA 22 May THE TRUTH…

Foreign Language Centre RNLA 22 May 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

Foreign Language Centre RNLA 22 May INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP “Interpreter Support for Military Operations” Ede, The Netherlands April, participants from Denmark Germany Norway UK Netherlands NATO: Linguistic services SHAPE, SFOR, CC-Land HQ Heidelberg

Foreign Language Centre RNLA 22 May 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

Foreign Language Centre RNLA 22 May DISCUSSION TOPICS Defining qualifications for interpreters in the military Management of interpreter support International co-operation in providing interpreter support

Foreign Language Centre RNLA 22 May 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’

Foreign Language Centre RNLA 22 May 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

Foreign Language Centre RNLA 22 May ALLIED JOINT PUBLICATION 2. Organization and Manning  Command & Control  Structure  Manpower (categories, functions, grades)  Job descriptions  Assessment and evaluation

Foreign Language Centre RNLA 22 May 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

Foreign Language Centre RNLA 22 May 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

Foreign Language Centre RNLA 22 May 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)

Foreign Language Centre RNLA 22 May 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

Foreign Language Centre RNLA 22 May AJOD WG PANEL Temporary Point of Contact Mr. Ian Jones Head Linguistic Services SHAPE Tel

Foreign Language Centre RNLA 22 May 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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Foreign Language Centre RNLA 22 May THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

Foreign Language Centre RNLA 22 May QUESTIONS?