Russian Language Translation in the U.S. Intelligence Community
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Authors
Tekel, Ronald Joseph
Subjects
SOVIET
RUSSIAN
INTELLIGENCE
LANGUAGE
TRANSLATION
CULTURE
RUSSIAN
INTELLIGENCE
LANGUAGE
TRANSLATION
CULTURE
Advisors
Taylor, James G.
Date of Issue
1986-03
Date
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
This thesis discusses the role of Russian language translators in the U.S. intelligence community. Although the intelligence community recognizes that translations are indispensable to the analysis of foreign nations' actions and intentions, translators still lack the language and cross-cultural training necessary to turn out accurate translations. They are products of U.S. culture, which does not strongly promote foreign language and area studies. Translators are also limited by the absence of military coursework taken in their formal language training as well as a lack of cultural understanding of foreign nations. Poor and inaccurate translations are a result of the above deficiencies. Because analysts are also prone to the same linguistic deficiencies, they cannot always rectify the resulting errors, which could have serious repercussions on final policy decisions. Once the intelligence community recognizes the problems, it can provide in-house training and tools such as annotated glossaries, to help the translators improve on the final product.
Type
Thesis
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Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. As such, it is in the public domain, and under the provisions of Title 17, United States Code, Section 105, it may not be copyrighted.