Language barrier proving insurmountable for GIs

[dArKeR]

How do you say "win the hearts and minds" in Arabic? Not many US soldiers in Iraq would know the answer and combat troops turned peacekeepers face an almost insurmountable language barrier as they seek cooperation from local civilians.

"Open al baaab," shouts the soldier, using the Arabic word for "door" as he and his unit from the Tikrit-based Fourth Infantry Division comb Saddam Hussein's hometown following a drive-by shooting which left one of their number wounded.

"Thank you," sputters the perplexed Tikriti, his family huddled around him in fear, as he fails to understand that the troops want to search a backroom in his shop.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/01/24/2003092413

How do you say 'Junior, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and Powell guilty of manslaughter for murdering our children in a lie' in Arabic?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. There are some simple phrases anyone can learn

I'm surprised they haven't taught the GIs.

As Salaam a Lekum (Peace Be With You)
Wa Lekum as-Salaam (And with you be Peace)
is a standard greeting. Of course, maybe Rumsfeld doesn't want them to think about peace.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Guess this is no surprise. It's so sad..............

From the article:

(snip) Lieutenant Colonel Steve Russell, who heads the 1-22 battalion, recalls an incident which prompted a military investigation when the local Iraqi police chief complained one of his officers had been assaulted by a US soldier ordering him at gunpoint to fetch some "whisky."

It turned out that the Iraqi's poor command of English led him to misunderstand calls by the soldier to leave a combat area because it was too "risky."

"Where was the translator who could have solved all that?" asks Russell.

"I think the military used all the means that they could, but there is certainly a need for American Arabic speakers," he adds
(snip)

[mike1963]

3. I can't count the times I've been in another country and seen Americans

be rude with the natives who didn't speak English.

[kskiska]

4. Well, I guess it's too late now.

Maybe this is one of the things they should have thought of before invading a country where English is not spoken.

[David Zephyr]

5. US Army Sacked Its Gay Arabic Experts

"The United States Army has forced six linguists trained to speak Arabic to quit after they admitted that they were gay.
The decision comes when American military and intelligence services are suffering from an acute lack of translators and interpreters needed for their war on terror."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2479777.stm

[LibDemAlways]

6. On Nightline recently

I saw film of an American soldier shouting an order at an Iraqi. When the Iraqi didn't respond, the soldier used the tried and true American approach - he shouted louder. Hearts and minds? Yea, right. The only way we'll win any hearts and minds is to get the hell out and let the Iraqi people determine their own future.

[CHIMO]

7. A Good First

Step would be sign language. However, every language structure is a bit different and the first thing one has to realize that one is trying to communicate.

[Karenina]

8. And THAT is the point, CHIMO!

The *command under which these poor slobs labor, getting their butts shot at, eating sub-standard food, not having enough water to drink or proper equipment, not being properly paid or cared for if injured during the "crusade," is not in the "business" of communicating ANYTHING except, "All your base belong to us." For that bullets, depleted uranium, and the breakdown of life as the "towel-headed, sand niggers+" knew it, is quite enough.

+I apologize to anyone offended by the term. However, the Iraqi people are CLEARLY NOT considered anything more than that by the *cabal.
:mad: :mad: :argh:

[CHIMO]

9. And That Is My Point

Agree, but I would not refer to them "as poor slobs". They are people who are following orders and do not have the luxury of changing the environment. Would not be surprised that in fifteen to twenty years there will be individuals from this front who will come to the front to change things.

[DuctapeFatwa]

10. They are not there to chat. They are there to kill Iraqis and seize oil

If it is necessary for any natives to be taught English in order to serve their masters, that will be done.

[Isere]

11. Thank you for bringing this up

I have been aghast and dismayed for years at the US's lack of interest in learning foreign languages. In Iraq today we reap the consequences and they are deadly.

Does anyone remember the ignoble press conference when the Usurper in Chief ridiculed David Gregory for speaking French at a joint press conference with Chirac? I can't think of a time when I was more humiliated by our "leader."

If we placed even a modicum of value on communicating with our neighbors, we wouldn't be in this mess.

[NickB79]

12. How about giving soldiers cards with common Arabic phrases on them?

Each soldier gets a packet of cards with common phrases written in Arabic on one side and in English on the other. Just hold up the appropriate card to the Iraqi you're trying to communicate with. It's idiot-proof. Iraq had one of the best school systems before the wars and embargo, so most Iraqis will be able to read the cards. Damn, is that such a crazy idea? If they can give out packets of Iraqi most-wanted cards with color pictures to the troops, why can't they give out simple communication cards?

[DemBones DemBones]

17. It's an excellent idea. Wonder if they've tried anything

like that?

[teryang]

13. They could say "trust me" and

"We're here to help" while they break into homes and kneel on peoples necks.

[mike1963]

14. You left out "In the NAME of JAYSUS"...........

:eyes: :grr:

[JCMach1]

15. Arabic is a difficult language

for English speakers to learn.

Trust me on this one...

[DemBones DemBones]

18. Yes, and that's a good reason for Bush not to

listen to the neo-cons about taking on China, Chinese also being difficult for English speakers.

[lebkuchen]

16. Germany has said that the troops will fail in Iraq because of US ignorance

of the culture.

German troops are prepared to enter Iraq, and trained not just to protect themselves, but with an understanding of the cultures, religious sects, language, and mores that they will be dealing with.

The U.S.' heavy-handedness won't win them any friends. They are hated, and that hatred won't subside.

[SoCalDem]

19. They just need to bring along one of their new Iraqi Army recruits

as a translator.. Each crew of "door openers" should have an Iraqi with them for translation and for "peace of mind"...for them and the people...

They could actually use CPA people.. they are Iraqis (a lot of them) and they speak the language..

[Yerta Bulti]

20. no link for this no brainer

I'm sure I read an article recently on the relative quiet of the British sector, and that the Brits had all been taught useful simple phrases like "Please step out of the vehicle" in Arabic. Bloody obvious really, what excuse could you have for not learning such basic things?

[Columbia]

21. Basic Arabic is taught

At least it was to me. I don't know how often it is now, but I'm sure at least some basic phrases are taught. At the very least, a booklet is given with common Arabic phrases and a phonetic spelling of each. I admit, I've forgotten most of the Arabic I learned, but I had enough to carry on real basic conversations with people. However, there are actually a lot of Iraqis who can speak pretty fluent English. I ran across this one guy who was an English major at his university and we kind of bonded because our favorite Shakespeare play was the same (Merchant of Venice). Everyone else you just got by with what you knew of Arabic and what they knew of English. It works pretty well most of the time. But it's understandable that it may all go out the door in a tense situation.

[Yerta Bulti]

22. What, are you in Iraq now?

Your post is such a mix of assumed knowledge and past and present tense I can't tell. Your post could be read to mean you were once an exchange student in Iraq, or you once taught english as a second language in Iraq, or for that matter any arabic speaking country.

In any case, if it is to be assumed that you were taught basic arabic as part of US military training, then your not knowing any arabic now seems to demonstrate the article has some truth to it, no?

Sorry if I seem rude, but I don't get the context of your post at all.

[Columbia]

23. Back home now

Was in Iraq back in March-May