Working with and through Interpreters

Interpreters are some of the most important people within the military organization in which we operate today.  I say this because here in Maiwand, we work with the local populace, the government, and security forces on a regular basis, almost all of whom require interpreters for communication to occur.  An additional hiccup requiring more skilled interpreters is that there are two major languages spoken here in Afghanistan: Dari and Pashto.  The people in this area mostly speak Pashto, although the more well-educated speak both.  Most of the ANA and ANP, however, speak Dari.  Some speak English, but this is typically a third language, so it isn't always the best. 

This all means that communication is rather difficult and tedious at times.  I've been to meetings and rehearsals where both Dari and Pashto translations were required, and let me say that they made something that was already tiresome almost unbearable.  I can only imagine how much worse it is for the terps having to listen to the same speech over and over again.  And as I wrote in an earlier post, Afghans like to repeat themselves multiple times by saying the same thing over again. 

Not only is translation time-consuming, it is also difficult to ensure that the meaning is conveyed in the simplest manner possible.  Some words just don't translate easily, not to mention all of the acronyms we use in the Army.  Speaking of which, I'm going to start working on a glossary of terms for the blog, so that I can start to be lazy and just use IED, SAF, SCO, and COP without having to translate it for you first.  Relatively short blog tonight, but I have other stuff on my plate right now, and will be sure to find the time to update again soon.