Language Competence: Implications for National Security

by Bloomsbury Academic

Overview

This book looks at the historic use of foreign language by the U.S. armed forces. Through research into military documents, many of which are generally inaccessible, the author has investigated the purpose and extent of language capability in the armed services. A necessary skill in the acquisition of intelligence, language skill emerges from this study as being of concern as well for command, control, communications, and for civil military operations. The services' efforts to produce language skills are presented historically, from World War I through Vietnam, from extensive cooperation with academic institutions to short-term services contracted from entrepreneurs.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780275922139
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	08/05/1986
Series:	The Washington Papers , #119
Pages:	184
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

ller /f Kurt /i E.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Acknowledgments
About the Author
1. Introduction
The Argument for Language Competence
2. The View from Within: Defense Looks at Its Own Language Needs
Staff Studies and Service College Papers
Consequences and Implications
Specialty Training and Skill Maintenance
Surveys
On Interpretation and Translation
Congressional Interest
3. Historical Need for Language Skills
World War I
World War II
Korea: Language Needs Never Met
Between Korea and Vietnam
Vietnam: Lessons Learned from Korea, Lessons Ignored
After Vietnam
4. How We Have Met Our Language Needs
The Interwar Period
World War II: In-House Programs and Cooperation with Academe
Korea and the Short-War Mentality
Language Training Since the 1960s
5. Academic-Military Cooperation
6. What We Need to Progress
Acquisition of Language and Culture
Language Maintenance
Language in Reserve
Classification on Mobilization
Expansion of Training During Mobilization
Materials
Notes
Bibliography