Do U.S. military linguists get to learn more than one language?

Question

Browsing Y!A, it seems that at least a couple of people have studied multiple languages under the auspices of one or another branch of the U.S. military, but I'm wondering how common this is and what it is dependent on. It also seems that the choice of language is entirely up to the military, but at least one person mentioned the possibility of putting a specific language in your contract. Can anyone shed some light on this for me? I'm particularly interested in hearing from people who have studied multiple languages and/or worked with multiple languages as military linguists. Finally, does every branch of the military have linguist positions, and do linguists in the different branches generally do pretty much the same job?

Thanks in advance for your help.

P.S. I don't really need the definition of a linguist, as I studied linguistics some in college and on my own and am already decently competent in two non-European languages (Turkish and Mandarin Chinese). Thanks anyway.

Might anyone be able to elaborate (I know this stuff is super-secret, but I'm talking in extremely general terms) on what kinds of circumstances might lead to someone getting a multi-language assignment or getting sent back to DLI for a second or third language?

Thanks again for your answers.

Answer 1

in the Navy, at least, CTIs with more than one language NEC is rare, but it is not unheard of. Most of them started off as say RULINGs or another language that used to be in great demand, but as the Cold War ended, there was less need for.

you cannot currently get a specific language in your contract. and even if you could, there have been tales of people showing up to DLI in Monterey and being told.. yeah, well, we aren't starting a class in that language, so we are going to send you to this language instead.

It is to be understood that CTIs are NOT translators like you would expect to encounter at the UN building in NYC. they sit in cold dark rooms with headphones on all day long listening and transcribing. very few ever end up in the field translating one on one.

Answer 2

First up.... I am fluent in speaking and writing in several languages. I can get along in several others in the same way. Others on top of that I can get along in just conversation or muddle through. I'm no genius but languages build on others and it depends on life experience.

Now sometimes you can stipulate in your contract a specific language. But you have to show that you studied it already or have had exposure to it through family. Or have enough other languages under your belt so they realize you are a good bet to learn another.

Even then it is the needs of the military that count. There are many people who studied a romance language in high school, college or been stationed there (European languages) and once you know one you can generally pick up the others. If you speak English it is not so hard to learn them regardless. But Europe is not the focus now. Of course there is always a need but its not what is going to really get you there.

Of course there is a shortage for Arabic, Farsi, Pashtu speakers and whatnot. Of course you would pick up or be sent to school again for the different dialects.

Look up AFRICOM. America is forming a new command. English is the primary language of diplomacy and business worldwide, Arabic languages are key and French still holds sway there. But obviously languages that are still used (like Swahili) are going to get you somewhere.

You have to think about what you might do well in, what knid of job you want and how marketable your language will be if and when you get out. You have to look at politics and trends. In picking a service ask how likely it will be that you would get assigned there. If you joined the Marines your options could be limited as opposed to any of the larger services. Then you have to factor in quality of life or if you plan on having a family.

Its complicated but not.

Answer 3

When was in I had considered it, and was going to re up for it. Then I found out that you had a choice, the language had to be one that was against the US or a communist country. I also found out that the school was in CA, not bad and when u reported in once every one was introduced that was the end of speaking English. Cold cruel but I guess it work because u sunk or sailed. One or the other. But u was to learn speaking, reading , writhing. If you was in the class room that is what you spoke, now once u left it and was in the privacy of ur own place(not the instructor)u could speak however u wanted.
One was to learn two of them so it was rather mind playing. I also had to record at the unit level if a person was able to speak one or more they was to list it, case for if you was going into a country that spoke that language u had person already taught or could speak it. What u learn in school is different than what u learn on the street. I was able to learn Japanese, I found out women and kids speak different than men and teacher speak different than them all. The school is teaching the proper way and it does stand out.
You are also going to learn how to get information from ur enemy/combatants. All the servic memebers have to wrok wiht each other n there own way, but you still have that serive kind of atmetpher going on. The Army is better than the Marines yet the Navy steps up and theyare better yet, lets not for get the AirForce, they can do better yet, well the next thing u know it is a free for all. Nobody wins nobody losse. I was Marine and we have one common goal defind our country. I don't care what ur uniform is I still respect the fact u are in.

Answer 4

If they are capable of learning several languages, yes. As many languages they like. Once you're a linguists they do encourage you to learn as many you like. They will stress those languages which they have a shortage of linguists in however...

Answer 5

Yes, I ´ve learnt American English at The School of The Americas ( SOA), but let me tell you that those US officers were not good at English Grammar ! I had to re learn English with a British Teacher!

Answer 6

By definition a linguist knows multiple languages.
Does that help?