Interpreter Dynamics Capt Cory Ross

1. Interpreter Dynamics Capt Cory Ross UNCLASSIFIED// FOUO

2. Outline • Categories / Considerations • Preparatory Phase • Execution Phase • Follow-up Phase • Questions UNCLASSIFIED// FOUO

3. Categories / Considerations • Category I: • Usually hired locally, speak local dialect • Require vetting • Used for basic interpretation activities • May have extensive combat experience • Category II: • U.S. citizens with a secret clearance • Possess good oral and written communication skills, but may not speak the local dialect well • Limited availability • Limited combat experience UNCLASSIFIED// FOUO

4. Categories / Considerations • Category III: • U.S. citizens with a top secret clearance • Possess excellent oral and written communication skills • Scarce commodity • Considerations • Remember to practice OPSEC • Unit Linguist Manager • Language skill/regional dialect of the interpreter • Patrol experience vs high level KLE experience UNCLASSIFIED// FOUO

5. Preparatory Phase • Get to know the interpreter • Background (Pashto/Dari, region, experience) • Education-level • Predispositions (Family history in this conflict) • Note prejudices • Provide material in advance / Prep him • Complex terminology • Develop emergency retrograde signals • Note taking • Treat like one of your own • Respect • Protection (body armor, force pro, living conditions) • Study the target language • The more you learn, the better off you will be • Even basic greetings will pay off!!! “It’s more advantageous to study Pashto or Dari for an hour each day than reading another hour of intel reporting.” – Dr. Carter Malkasian, COMISAF POLAD UNCLASSIFIED// FOUO

6. Execution Phase • Introduce interpreter to your audience/counterpart • Respect • Displays credibility and value in your interpreter • Avoid military jargon and complex terminology • If unavoidable, thorough preparation • Identify common words that do not translate well • Address your audience/counterpart; not your interpreter • Proximity to interpreter is important • Always look and talk directly to your counterpart /audience • Speak with normal gestures and inflection UNCLASSIFIED// FOUO

7. Execution Phase (cont.) • Speak slowly, clearly, and in logical “bites” • This may seem unnatural, but it’s a must • If it is difficult to memorize in English, it’s even harder to interpret into a second language • Many Afghans speak English well • Compliment their ability • Be mindful of what you say • Encourage the use of your interpreter for business • Prepare your interpreter • Have a second interpreter present if possible • Gather atmospherics from the audience • Quality control for your primary interpreter UNCLASSIFIED// FOUO

8. Bad Practices • Avoid making comments to your interpreter that are not interpreted. • Do not address your counterpart/audience in the third person. • Do not speak in run on sentences. You may think you are on a roll, making an excellent point, but the CF in the room are the only ones who will receive the message. • Never use profanity • Avoid acronyms • Humor does not translate well, use a proverb instead UNCLASSIFIED// FOUO

9. Follow-Up/ After Action Phase • Debrief your interpreter • Find out what he took away from the meeting • Atmospherics about the audience • Sidebar conversations • Insider Threat awareness • Keep the same interpreter if at all possible • Rapport building • Efficiency • Become a good team • Keep a detailed turnover log about your Afghan counterpart/s • Will greatly assist your successor UNCLASSIFIED// FOUO

10. Questions? • Reference US Army FM 3-24 Appendix C • https://rdl.train.army.mil/catalog-ws/view/100.ATSC/41449AB4-E8E0-46C4-8443-E4276B6F0481-1274576841878/3-24/appc.htm UNCLASSIFIED// FOUO