THE PROPER USE OF AN
INTERPRETER
Presented by:
Major Danny Boyd
HQ AFSOC / A2O
OBJECTIVE
To understand the importance of
utilizing an interpreter properly as
well as the basic elements of such
utilization
Why an Interpreter
Briefing?
Where are we sending our Troops?
Georgia
Chad
Thailand
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Algeria
Philippines
Kosovo
Morocco
Laos
Kyrgyzstan
Nigeria
Viet Nam
Kazakhstan
Tunisia
Cambodia
Armenia
Senegal
Colombia
Azerbaijan
Ghana
Guatemala
Russia
Niger
Honduras
Ukraine
Mauritania
Brazil
The Straits of Gibraltar
Mali
Haiti
Why an Interpreter
Briefing?
Your Interpreter is a reflection of You!
Is he or she prejudiced against your counterpart?
Then as far as they are concerned, so are you.
They may not like your Terp but they won’t like you
either.
OVERVIEW
Proper use of an interpreter will
increase mission effectiveness
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Definitions
Counterpart Relationship
Verbiage
Interpreter Placement
Prepping the Interpreter
Other Issues
Definitions
Linguistics

The study of human speech including the units, nature,
structure, and modification of language
Translate

To turn into one's own or another language, often in written
form
Interpret

To explain or tell the meaning of : present in understandable
terms
Counterpart Relationship
Eye Contact

Talk to your foreign counterpart…
…not to the interpreter
Counterpart Relationship
Use of First Person
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More apparent to interpreter, foreign
counterpart, and others present
Avoid “abdicating command”
More on this later
Verbiage
Short, Simple Sentence
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Enables entire idea to be expressed
Interpreter can manage more easily
You may want to have your say, but if the
other guy doesn’t hear it – it didn’t
happen.
Verbiage
Use of Idioms
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Causes interpreter to guess your
meaning
Adds an unnecessary step to process
Verbiage
Exercise:
Translate from English to English:
“Beggars can’t be choosers”
“…not a snowball’s chance in Hell”
“That would take a month of Sundays”
“Better late than never”
ASAP vs. “As soon as possible”
Interpreter Placement
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Should enhance relationship between
principals
Occasion Dependent
Formal meeting
Working environment
Dinner chat
Hostile event
Interpreter Placement
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Formal Meeting
Interpreter Placement
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Working Environment
Interpreter Placement
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Working Environment
Interpreter Placement
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Working Environment
Interpreter Placement
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Dinner Environment
Interpreter Placement
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Hostile Event
Intimidation?
Information gathering?
Eye contact still very important
Prepping the Interpreter
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List known issues or questions
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Legal, religious or other references
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Jokes or stories in advance
Stargate™ Film Clip
Who is in charge?
Who do the “foreigners” think is in
charge?
What could the main character have done
better?
“You’re the Linguist…”
Who is supposed to be in charge?
Who do the “foreigners” think is in
charge?
What could the main character have done
to maintain better control?
Terps Gone Wild
If you give the Terp too much autonomy
- They may inflate the importance of their position…
to themselves and others
- They could unwittingly take over control of the
mission
Terps Gone Wild
Other Issues
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Second Guessing the Interpreter or
confirming the gist?
A little knowledge can go a long
way…in either direction
Other Issues
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Military Interpreter or Civilian
Contractor?
Consider needs and sensitivity of work
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Local?
Will they be debriefed?
Other Issues
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Be mindful of Terp’s workload
A dinner break for you is still work for
the Terp
A day off at the Museum or Circus?
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Even more work for the Terp
Other Issues
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Using your Interpreter as a Cultural
Guide
Familiar with local customs
Non verbal cues
Language Assistant
Summary
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If you do nothing else…
Meet with your Terp before working with him/her
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Give as much ‘heads-up’ as possible
Questions, stories, jokes etc…
Talk to your Counterpart not the Terp
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Eye Contact
First Person
Keep it clear and concise
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Gets the whole idea across
Avoids ambiguity
Remember: your interpreter is a reflection of
you!
Questions?