FBI Arab translators cheered Sept. 11

WND ^ | 1/7/04 | Paul Sperry

[bjcintennessee]

This makes me want to learn Arabic, and that would be a mass undertaking, considering that two years of high school Spanish waaay back when, left me with ability to ask your name, what time it is, where your car is, and where your house is.

Wonder if there are any internet links to learning Arabic.

[Cronos]

I would think with our incredible technology especially at the Pentagon, that we would have computers that could translate some of the arabic chatter.

A computer can never perfectly translate from one language to another. For instance, I remember reading once about a Russsian - English translation which kept referring to water sheep, which was doubly strange as it was translating an engineering book. The phrase in English was 'hydraulic rams'.

[Cronos]

A friend of my son's dad is a "Christian" Palestinian. He cheered 911 also.

I don't understand that.

[Dajjal]

jihad ping

[Peach]

Paul Sperry is trustworthy and the report is probably correct. Unfortunately.

Hopefully the translator's work is being double checked by their supervisor, who is more trustworthy.

[af_vet_1981]

A friend of my son's dad is a "Christian" Palestinian. He cheered 911 also. We use to be friends with him, but my husband will not go to his house after hearing anti-American comments from him.

Christian in this context has no spiritual relevance. As with many Americans, the word in this context is like a tribal designation. It is a label they wear but does not define their behavior or beliefs. They can be as christian as any German nazi was.

[af_vet_1981]

I'd run a few tests by having two or more independent translations and compare the outcomes and see how closely they matched.

There are no independent translations. You have to know and understand the biases. There are many American Arabists who take the Arab point of view after being taught the language and culture for many years. Jews who know Arabic are regared as a threat by both Arab Moslems (and CINOs) as well as non Arab Americans whose favorite movie could be Lawrence of Arabia. One thing they share is a hatred of Israel.

[af_vet_1981]

regared
regarded

[af_vet_1981]

Hopefully the translator's work is being double checked by their supervisor, who is more trustworthy.

What makes you think the supervisor knows the language well enough to translate it ?

The paradigm you wish were in place is one where a Senior/Expert translator is responsible for all the final work of those translators under his/her purview. Those people may share the very same biases. Visit a university Arabic department and see for yourself.

[af_vet_1981]

If you give the same work to two people to "translate" and you get different 'reads' - then one is lying.

That is not the case at all. I could prove it you but then I'd have to ...

Take aThat's one issue. The other one is machines. Machines are great to pull key words out of tons of chatter, but I do understand your point. And you're right, our machines aren't there yet, but necessity is the mother of invention and all that...

Research and applications in MT must continue. Loyal Americans must learn more foreign languages (and remain loyal Americans instead of going native). It is a national security requirement.

[SJackson]

,I.Hopefully the translator's work is being double checked by their supervisor, who is more trustworthy.

I'd run a few tests by having two or more independent translations and compare the outcomes and see how closely they matched.

As AF Vet notes, there is some built in bias even in the selection of translators.

There are no independent translations. You have to know and understand the biases. There are many American Arabists who take the Arab point of view after being taught the language and culture for many years. Jews who know Arabic are regared as a threat by both Arab Moslems (and CINOs) as well as non Arab Americans

FBI: Jews need not apply for Arabic linguist jobs

[SarahW]

I can't understand the resistance to Jewish translators, unless it is to mollify Arabs working for the FBI who can't stand the idea of working with Jews.

Heads need to roll at the FBI.

[GOPJ]

The gentle but sure understanding of the topic was a tip-off -- no explanation necessary. Thanks for the insights.

That is not the case at all. I could prove it you but then I'd have to ...

[SJackson]

The FBI contends it was just a coincidence, not ot the 100 plus Jews from Arab countries were qualified.

I suspect you're right, it is to mollify Arabs working for the FBI , coupled with, perhaps, as similar aversion on the part of those setting the hiring policies.

[lawdude]

"lawdude - the Bears playbook is so lame that believe me, no one's worrying about it leaking. (and I'm a Bears fan)"

You should talk! I have the Cardinals?? I expect pity.

[af_vet_1981]

Despite his divided loyalties, the FBI subsequently promoted Abdel-Hafiz by assigning him to the U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia, a critical post for intelligence-gathering. Three-fourths of the Sept. 11 hijackers were Saudis.

The Arabists are in command of our national security apparatus. That is the real reason for September 11th. It's a pity none of them will stand trial.

[af_vet_1981]

I can't understand the resistance to Jewish translators, unless it is to mollify Arabs working for the FBI who can't stand the idea of working with Jews. Heads need to roll at the FBI.

It is a deep and abiding envy, distrust, or hatred of Israel in both high and low corridors of power. There are Americans who prefer an alliance with Arab countries.

[luckystarmom]

That's why I put "Christian" in quotations.

[tiki]

This news is so frustrating! Damn the bureaucracy and the hatred and the political expediency.

[EricT.]

We need to recruit some Mossad translators now.