Got another story from our Afghan trainer. Let's call him Aziz. So in Afghan culture looking like a fool is to be avoided at all costs. Saving face is huge. For interpreters this means being exceedingly polite even if they don't catch a phrase or meaning here and there. Not a foreign a concept even for Yanks.
Aziz is in Kabul and is assigned to interpret for a new Colonel (Col). They go to an international conferance downtown where the topic is the mental health on the Afghan people after decades of war (yea, what a topic right...). It's hard to hear in the room as the speaker goes through her points. The Col, sitting next to Aziz, leans over and asks a quick question. Aziz can't hear the question and just nods his head "Yes." (I ha've been guilty of the same thing). Thinking the moment of misunderstanding has passed, Aziz is forced to answer another question when the Col says "How long ago?" Aziz, still unaware of the original question, casually responds, "Oh a few years ago." The Col leans back into his chair looking perplexed. He leans back over concerned and asks "Did it turn out ok?" Aziz, now stuck, "Oh yes, everything came out ok, no problem." The conferance wrapped up and on the ride back the Col asked his last question, "So how much time did you spend in the mental hospital?"
Aziz worked some pretty tough assignments in AFG, and his intercultural skills are top notch. He told this story to group of us today and made it funny for the whole American group. You know you are getting the culture thing down when the humor works on the crowd. The skill of your interpreter is major factor in mission success and unfortunately most terps are not up to Aziz's level. I am hoping I can tap a few good ones when I get there.
Aziz is in Kabul and is assigned to interpret for a new Colonel (Col). They go to an international conferance downtown where the topic is the mental health on the Afghan people after decades of war (yea, what a topic right...). It's hard to hear in the room as the speaker goes through her points. The Col, sitting next to Aziz, leans over and asks a quick question. Aziz can't hear the question and just nods his head "Yes." (I ha've been guilty of the same thing). Thinking the moment of misunderstanding has passed, Aziz is forced to answer another question when the Col says "How long ago?" Aziz, still unaware of the original question, casually responds, "Oh a few years ago." The Col leans back into his chair looking perplexed. He leans back over concerned and asks "Did it turn out ok?" Aziz, now stuck, "Oh yes, everything came out ok, no problem." The conferance wrapped up and on the ride back the Col asked his last question, "So how much time did you spend in the mental hospital?"
Aziz worked some pretty tough assignments in AFG, and his intercultural skills are top notch. He told this story to group of us today and made it funny for the whole American group. You know you are getting the culture thing down when the humor works on the crowd. The skill of your interpreter is major factor in mission success and unfortunately most terps are not up to Aziz's level. I am hoping I can tap a few good ones when I get there.
The moral of the story: be careful when you nod your head "yes" (kind of like at an auction)
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