Languages at war: policies and practices of language contacts in conflict.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Reading
Department Name: French Studies
Abstract
In military studies, the role of culture in war is seen as vital. Although foreign languages are often a key part of cultural encounters in war, those who study conflict have traditionally paid little attention to their role. Historians have tended to see languages as an ancillary part of diplomatic relations. Discourse analysts in this context have looked at language in general, rather than at foreign languages. Translation specialists have concentrated on the role of the language intermediary, the interpreter or translator, rather than on the language experiences of non-linguist combatants and civilians. This lack of systematic study of language experience in war has encouraged us to focus on the first hand accounts of soldiers and civilians caught up in conflict, and to examine the relationship of these experiences to official foreign language policymaking for war.
'Languages at War' brings together specialists from two universities in an innovative association with the Imperial War Museum, which has an unrivalled coverage of international conflict since 1914, including some 60,000 hours of sound recordings with participants. The lead investigators have an academic background in cultures of war, as well as in the development of foreign language policies, and their universities, Reading and Southampton, provide a supportive interdisciplinary environment for this research, with specialists in European histories and cultures, strategic and military studies, and transnational contacts.
The project will examine two related but contrasting case studies, one on invasion/occupation (Europe, 1944-47), and one on peacekeeping (Bosnia, 1995-1998). Both case studies concern twentieth century joint Allied intervention in continental Europe, but are contrasting in two important respects. Firstly, the nature of the command structure is different in each: in the case of Europe in 1944-47, Allied commanders worked together, but operated in separate theatres of war, whereas in Bosnia, troops were deployed in a multilateral integrated command force. Secondly, the missions in the two case studies pose contrasting sorts of language encounter: the first positions troops as invaders and occupiers of hostile territory, the second places them as peacekeepers between blocs of opposing enemies. Archive and publicly available resources will enable us to study the official language policies relating to the two situations, and these will be set against the extensive witness statements of participants which are held in the Imperial War Museum, and which will be supplemented by additional interviews recorded by the project team.
We believe that this project will enable us to develop a framework for analysing the role of languages in war which can be transferred to other war and conflict situations. 'Languages at War' aims to ensure that the relevance of foreign languages to war enters into the public arena in a way which is backed up by robust academic research, and which will serve to inform public debate and stimulate the future thinking of all those concerned. Through the active participation of the Imperial War Museum, the project will raise the profile of foreign languages in future Museum displays, exhibitions and programme planning which address the general public. Through the 'Languages at War' Advisory Group, agencies engaged in the training of personnel for international relations and war, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence, will have an opportunity to comment, discuss and share results.
'Languages at War' brings together specialists from two universities in an innovative association with the Imperial War Museum, which has an unrivalled coverage of international conflict since 1914, including some 60,000 hours of sound recordings with participants. The lead investigators have an academic background in cultures of war, as well as in the development of foreign language policies, and their universities, Reading and Southampton, provide a supportive interdisciplinary environment for this research, with specialists in European histories and cultures, strategic and military studies, and transnational contacts.
The project will examine two related but contrasting case studies, one on invasion/occupation (Europe, 1944-47), and one on peacekeeping (Bosnia, 1995-1998). Both case studies concern twentieth century joint Allied intervention in continental Europe, but are contrasting in two important respects. Firstly, the nature of the command structure is different in each: in the case of Europe in 1944-47, Allied commanders worked together, but operated in separate theatres of war, whereas in Bosnia, troops were deployed in a multilateral integrated command force. Secondly, the missions in the two case studies pose contrasting sorts of language encounter: the first positions troops as invaders and occupiers of hostile territory, the second places them as peacekeepers between blocs of opposing enemies. Archive and publicly available resources will enable us to study the official language policies relating to the two situations, and these will be set against the extensive witness statements of participants which are held in the Imperial War Museum, and which will be supplemented by additional interviews recorded by the project team.
We believe that this project will enable us to develop a framework for analysing the role of languages in war which can be transferred to other war and conflict situations. 'Languages at War' aims to ensure that the relevance of foreign languages to war enters into the public arena in a way which is backed up by robust academic research, and which will serve to inform public debate and stimulate the future thinking of all those concerned. Through the active participation of the Imperial War Museum, the project will raise the profile of foreign languages in future Museum displays, exhibitions and programme planning which address the general public. Through the 'Languages at War' Advisory Group, agencies engaged in the training of personnel for international relations and war, including the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence, will have an opportunity to comment, discuss and share results.
Publications
Baker C
(2011)
Have You Ever Been in Bosnia? British Military Travelers in the Balkans since 1992
in Journeys
Baker C
(2013)
It's not their job to soldier: distinguishing civilian and military in soldiers' and interpreters' accounts of peacekeeping in 1990s Bosnia-Herzegovina
in Journal of War & Culture Studies
Baker C
(2012)
When Bosnia was a Commonwealth Country: British Forces and their Interpreters in Republika Srpska 1995-2007
in History Workshop Journal
Footitt H
(2013)
Languages at war: cultural preparations for the Liberation of Western Europe
in Journal of War & Culture Studies
Footitt H
(2013)
'A hideously difficult country': British propaganda to France in the early Cold War
in Cold War History
Footitt H
(2012)
Incorporating languages into histories of war: A research journey
in Translation Studies
Footitt H
(2010)
Another Missing Dimension? Foreign Languages in World War II Intelligence
in Intelligence and National Security
Footitt, H.
(2014)
Frames and the Interpreter in the Imperial War Museum photographic archive
Description | The role of languages in war and conflct had received very little attention from academics, military authorities, or the general public. The tacit assumption seemed to be that most international wars are fought with allies, and against enemies, who obligingly speak our own language. The research revealed the key role which foreign languages play in each stage of war. It pointed to : - the need to recognise and problematise the role of languages in intelligence gathering and assessment, in relationships between the military and civilians on the ground, and in the aftermath of war, in peace-making and with refugees. It pointed to the key role of language intermediaries in war (translators/interpreters) and to the importance of planning for their deployment. |
Exploitation Route | The research has acted as a catalyst to stimulate interest in languages in conflict situations among language practitioners, the UK's principal museum of war, the Ministry of Defence, the International Association of Conference Interpreters, and NGOs. - It gave confidence to the Imperial War Museum, London, to exploit the languages dimension of its collections and is contributing to the next stage of its review of collections in the redeveloped London site. - The research contributed to internal MOD discussions and to the 2013 Joint Doctrine Note on 'Linguistic Support for Operations', and continues to contribute to discussions in the MOD. - It supported the professional interpreters association in their efforts to produce guidelines to support and protect interpreters in conflict areas. - it is stimulating discussion among NGOs about the role of languages in conflict areas. |
Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy Education Government Democracy and Justice Culture Heritage Museums and Collections Security and Diplomacy |
URL | https://www.reading.ac.uk/languages-at-war/ |
Description | The research gave confidence to the Imperial War Museum, London, to exploit the languages dimension of its collections, and to look at its collections and public responses to them in a more international perspective. The research was used by the MOD in its internal debates on language policy, especially in relation to the role of locally recruited language intermediaries, and contributed to the 2013 Joint Doctrine note on 'Linguistic Support for Operations'. The professional interpreters' association (AIIC) used the research in its efforts to improve the conditions of interpreters in conflict areas. NGOs became more interested in the role of languages in conflict situations |
First Year Of Impact | 2009 |
Sector | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Security and Diplomacy |
Impact Types | Cultural Societal |
Description | Languages at war and the MOD, the professional interpreters association and the Museum community |
Geographic Reach | Asia |
Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
Impact | Influence on policy development in MOD. Influence on practice of professional association of interpreters. Influence on museum practice. |
Description | American Association for Applied Linguistics Conference |
Amount | £400 (GBP) |
Organisation | The British Academy |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2011 |
End | 08/2011 |
Description | British Academy Funding |
Amount | £1,604 (GBP) |
Funding ID | CS100569 |
Organisation | The British Academy |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2011 |
End | 08/2011 |
Description | British Academy Funding |
Amount | £900 (GBP) |
Organisation | The British Academy |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2011 |
End | 08/2011 |
Description | British Academy Funding |
Amount | £1,604 (GBP) |
Funding ID | CS100569 |
Organisation | The British Academy |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2011 |
End | 08/2011 |
Description | British Academy Funding |
Amount | £900 (GBP) |
Organisation | The British Academy |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2009 |
End | 08/2009 |
Description | Languages and international NGOs: cultural knowledge in communities in crisis |
Amount | £18,233 (GBP) |
Funding ID | AH/J012424/1 |
Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2012 |
End | 09/2012 |
Description | Languages and international NGOs: cultural knowledge in communities in crisis |
Amount | £18,233 (GBP) |
Funding ID | AH/J012424/1 |
Organisation | Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2012 |
End | 10/2012 |
Description | Collaboration with the Imperial War Museum, London. |
Organisation | Imperial War Museum |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | From the outset, staff at the Imperial War Museum were involved with the research and the development of the project.Key personnel from the Museum participated in research group meetings, and members of the research group gave work in progress reports at Imperial War Museum staff seminars. Museum staff chaired Panels and gave papers in the two Workshops and final conference, and the Head of Information and Research at the Museum contributed a chapter to the edited conference book on the influence that the project was having on curatorial policies for exhibiting war to the general public. Advisory Group meetings, workshops, and the conference were held in the Museum, either at the Lambeth site, or in the Churchill War Cabinet Rooms. The research project produced some 60 oral history interviews concerning languages at war, and these are now archived in the Museum's Sound Archive. |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Collaboration with the International Professional Interpreters Association (AIIC) |
Organisation | International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC) |
Country | Global |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Members of the International Professional Interpreters Association ( AIIC) attended the two Workshops and final conference at the Imperial War Museum. The current president of the Association gave a paper at the conference which is included in the final volume. AIIC had been developing a project on interpreters in conflict zones which seeks to protect interpreters in war, and provide appropriate professional conditions for their working environment. The AHRC research project benefited from discussion with AIIC, and the interpreters found some of the insights gained in the project of use in their practical work. |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | Collaboration with the Ministry of Defence |
Organisation | Ministry of Defence (MOD) |
Department | Defence Operational Languages Support Unit DOLSU |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | The Ministry of Defence's inter-service language policy unit (DOLSU) collaborated actively in this project. The research team received a day's briefing on current MOD policy at the Upavon barracks. MOD staff participated in Advisory Group Meetings, attended and gave papers in the two Workshops and final conference at the Imperail War Museum. The edited collection of the conference contains a paper from the Lt. Col. currently leading the inter-service language unit. The research team provided a 'Lessons Learnt' briefing to the MOD. |
Start Year | 2009 |
Description | AHRC/BBC Radio 3 New Generation Thinkers |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Programme proposal selected to take part in New Generation Workshop Discussion and interest around theme |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | Defence Academy, Shrivenham |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Papers in the 'Culture in Conflict' Symposium. Papers at conference organised by the Defence Academy, Shrivenham, for serving soldiers in NATO, and MOD personnel. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
Description | History research series, University of Southampton |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | 2 papers in research session on: ' Languages at War: language policies and experiences in the liberation/occupation of Western Euope, 1944-47'. Colleagues asked for further information |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
Description | Languages research seminar series, University of Aston |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Paper in the School of Languages and Social Science research series Discussion |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
Description | School of Modern Languages and Cultures, Research seminar, Glasgow University |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | ' Languages in the context of war' in research series on languages in historical context. Colleagues asked questions about the area of research and methodology |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
Description | Translation Research Seminar, University of Manchester |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | ' Fraternizing or not fraternizing with the enemy?' Questions from and discussion with postgraduates |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |