Bridging the Gap Between Soviet and American Languages and Cultures: A Basic Introduction to Troop Control for the Russian Language Translator

Abstract

This thesis discusses the nature and sources of problems facing the foreign language translator in the U.S. intelligence community -- in particular, the Russian language translator -- and develops the idea of CONTEXT as a solution. CONTEXT is defined as knowledge of a particular subject area from both sides of the language and cultural barrier. It attempts to integrate the vocabulary and conceptual framework of a given subject area in a foreign language and culture (such as Soviet TROOP CONTROL) with the vocabulary and conceptual framework of the subject area in a translator's native language and culture (such as American COMMAND AND CONTROL) -- maintaining important differences where they exist and pointing out similarities. This integrated dynamic body of knowledge known as CONTEXT should be applied by a translator in analyzing foreign language data. This thesis develops a very basic CONTEXT for TROOP CONTROL and COMMAND AND CONTROL (1) to demonstrate the elements and method of building CONTEXT, and (2) to provide a basic introduction for the language analyst who is new to both subject areas.