What are your thoughts on soldiers speaking a foreign language in an unofficial capacity?

2014-01-05T01:56:05-05:00

This is what I found about the AR regarding this policy.

AR 600-20
4–13. Army language policy: English is the operational language of the Army. Soldiers must maintain sufficient proficiency in English to perform their military duties. Their operational communications must be understood by everyone who has an official need to know their content, and, therefore, must normally be in English. However, Commanders may not require Soldiers to use English unless such use is clearly necessary and proper for the performance of military functions. Accordingly, commanders may not require the use of English for personal communications that are unrelated to military functions.

What are your thoughts about it?

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Jan 5 at 2014 2:05 AM

2014-01-05T02:05:47-05:00

No issues with Soldiers speaking a foreign language in an unofficial capacity. I do believe that while in mixed company, mixed languages that is, that the common language, English, should be used. I believe that is the polite thing to do.

Just for your knowledge and for this discussion, English is also the primary language for communication in NATO.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2014 2:07 AM

2014-01-05T02:07:45-05:00

I speak Persian-Farsi in an unofficial capacity to other PF linguists for language maintenance. 

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Jan 5 at 2014 2:13 AM

2014-01-05T02:13:37-05:00

The biggest gripe about this is the use of Spanish by bi-lingual or multi lingual Soldiers when talking in public.
My question is, how bad do you really need to know what they are talking about?
Are they issuing orders to a non Spanish speaker in Spanish? No? then don't worry about it.
Are they barely functional in English and being assigned to a Spanish speaking NCO to make dealing with them easier? Yeah, that could be a problem.
In the meantime, maintaining language skills that may become necessary in a future engagement through free flow communications should be encouraged as well as introducing Soldiers to a variety of languages.
Of course, the time I spent in MI listening to Soldiers communicate in Korean, Spanish, Russian, Persian, Arabic, French and so on, as well as the need, tends to keep me open minded to a multi-lingual environment as long as all orders are issued in English and all Soldiers are capable of comprehending in oral or written word.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jan 5 at 2014 2:24 AM

2014-01-05T02:24:24-05:00

if they're doing it off duty then it shouldn't matter.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2014 9:21 AM

2014-01-05T09:21:05-05:00

If it’s not official
business speak whatever language makes you feel better. However, when it’s
about mission English is the operational language.

My unit
has 4 official languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese and French and not once
I have felt uncomfortable listening to another person speak French/Portuguese.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2014 4:45 AM

2014-03-18T04:45:32-04:00

I believe that while On-Duty, and the conversation is just shoot the shit so to speak, it should be in English. Do I really need to know what Soldiers are talking about at all times? No, but if an English speaking Soldier is being disrespectful I'll know immediately, but if the Soldier was speaking Spanish I would not and I see a problem with that.

Also if a Soldier is speaking Spanish because their English speaking skills are poor, it's only going to benefit them to continuously use English. The only way to become better at something is to practice.

I speak some Dari, but have lost a lot of my vocabulary because there aren't many people to converse with and allow to stay proficient, so I also see this side of the debate.

Good post and good job on finding the reference.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2014 8:11 PM

2014-04-03T20:11:32-04:00

I am a fluent spanish speaker and english speaker. As long as a conversation does not deal with the normal daily duties of the servicemember than I am okay with it. However, if for example, you may need to break something down to an individual because he just doesn't know the meaning of a word then I believe you can let them translate real quick in order for a better understanding. I say this, because I have a spanish speaking soldier in my PLT sometimes some words in the english language are confusing for me and the soldier has a hard time understanding if if I "dummy" it down. In that case I do a quick translation in spanish then I continue in english.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 3 at 2014 9:24 PM

2014-04-03T21:24:52-04:00

I'm sorry, I feel that for my job, I should be able to speak the language as much as possible.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made May 18 at 2014 9:25 PM

2014-05-18T21:25:55-04:00

SGT - it depends on the mission. As a generality, I believe Soldiers' trying to speak another language while abroad send a positive signal to the locals. That's how I learned both Arabic and Dari, and they both served me well.