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October 16, 2005
On American Diplos & Arabic
The esteemed Father of Aardvaarks brought me attention to this Washington Post arty on Arabic training for US diplos.
The key point to attract attention to is the issue of real incentives rather than theoretical policy - in this case highlighted in the instance of the way language designation and training is handled.
I had some conversations with Zenpundit and others I believe with respect to the issue of US diplo training and operatinos and real incentives. While I had no idea as to these detials, this is precisely what I was thinking, and why I have contempt for the idiotic 'big picture' know nothing ideological attacks on the US diplos by right and left - the real problems undoubtedly in very large part are found among these odd detials, unintended consequences....
Posted by The Lounsbury at October 16, 2005 10:33 PM
Filed Under:
Politics - US FP
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Comments
Hmm, the article appears to be outlining rather typical bureaucratic idiocy (lack of funding, lack of incentive to carry staff that aren't working to achieve your performance goals, etc).
[Accidentally hit Post early...adding:]
So how many of these 4 and 5 level speakers do we have in Arabic? As of August 2004 -- 27. At the highest levels (4+ and 5), we have a grand total of eight individuals worldwide.
Have you ever been rated on this scale?
Posted by: eerie at October 17, 2005 12:02 AM
Yes. I was rated 4 several years ago (hmmm, getting old I am), although this not by US diplo service, but a Uni giving what was supposed to be "the same" scale testing. I was probably a low 4 I should think.
I should think if I were rerated that in Formal Arabic (aka Modern Standard Arabic, aka Fusha) I would be lower in terms of "active knowledge" as I use Formal Arabic relatively rarely (and that in fairly specific circumstances, i.e. business documents). My skills in dialects are stronger, I am sure.
Posted by: The Lounsbury at October 17, 2005 11:47 AM
