when being stationed overseas do you take the time to learn your host country's language?

Question

if no then why not?

after being her for seven year i have leard alot of german. but i am notiicing that alot of new service members coming in are nto taking the time to learn it.

Answer 1

When my squadron deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, several of the older members of the squadron who had been there before took it upon themselves to teach us a few of the 'key' phrases, and some of the kanji (japanese writing) that would be most important to use when we first got there (bathroom, hospital, police, base, train station, etc.). While there, I was on mess duty for 30 days, and picked up a little more from our Japanese cooks and bakers that worked in the mess hall with us. By the time I left Okinawa (we moved down there after four months while the runway at Iwakuni was being re-paved), I was able to carry on a five minute conversation, and I could find my way around town. It helped a lot that, of those Japanese that were inclined to like Americans, most of them spoke excellent, if heavily accented English, and they would help you through the more difficult words and translations. One member of the squadron totally immersed himself in the language, and by the time we left, he could speak fluently (if simply) in Japanese, and could write japanese on about the same level as a Japanese of about 10-12 years old. He would later marry a Japanese national that he had met there.

Again, when we deployed to Saudi Arabia in supprt of Operation Southern Watch in December of 2000, most of us took it upon ourselves to learn the 'key' phrases in Arabic, although we knew that we were going to be on an isolated compound in the middle of the desert, it never hurts to be prepared for the eventuality, especially for our aircrew.

I do believe that it is important to make the attempt to learn something about the culture that you are going to be around. If nothing else, do it for the simple reason of you may never get another oppurtunity to go back to Japan, or Germany, Italy, the Phillipines (insert favorite deployment/port call location here). And all of this 'world travel', even on the governments time and dime, is something that, realistically, very few people will ever get to do, and you may never get to do again.

My limited Japanese actually helped out myself and a couple of buddies, because we got lost in Hiroshima, and were set on by a small group of the local thugs, or group that just didn't like round-eyes, never got the jist of it. But once we realized we might be in trouble, we were able to get directions to the nearest police station and tell them what had happened. The police there offered us protection, and arranged transportation back to Iwakuni for us (about 1-1/2 hour car ride, 45 minutes by train).

Answer 2

My husband and I have been stationed in Germany for almost 2 years and I am learning German. I have been taking classes since I got here. I think it is great if the service member or family member learns there host country language.

Answer 3

Unless learning the language of the host country is part of your duties, most military personnel learn just enough to get by. Many would learn more, if someone who is proficient in that language was willing to take the time to teach them. That's usually not the case.

Learning just a few words or key phrases, along with body language can usually get the job done, in the short term. Many military personnel learn from each other, as they go along. Surprisingly, after being in country for a while, they actually learn to communicate, on a limited basis.

Answer 4

Yes as well as possible. It makes you safer in the more harsh areas and you have a lot more fun in the safe areas. I've picked up some of 4 languages beside English so far. It makes thing go much quicker when the interpretor doesn't have to tell you everything in Iraq or here in Afghanistan. And in Italy and Turkey it is fun to listen to girls talk about you when they don't know that you understand them. Just started learning Icelandish this last week. For the same reason.

Answer 5

It was a long time ago, but yes we did try because we worked directlly with the Montagnards of Vietnam. The problem tho' was that there were thirty-nine different Montagnard ethnic groups, with each group speaking a distinct language, which could be broken down into two language groups. So we were always looking for someone that had some understanding of the right one.

Answer 6

Yes, otherwise how could I find where I was trying to go ?? Besides it is better to be a good American than an Ugly American. Got many a free beer while trying to learn German and made some good friends too.

Answer 7

My friend was able to learn a bit of Vietnamese when he was stationed in Vietnam. He wasn't fluent or anything but he knew enough to get by when he went out.

Answer 8

I learned enough Japanese to ask directions in the train stations and to order the right food in restaurants.

Answer 9

Sure did.My seven years in Germany had me speaking like a local;though I've forgotten most words now)-:

Ein beer bitte(-;

Answer 10

yeah i always find out 'where are the girls' and 'how much'