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Legislation introduced Wednesday highlights the need for more multilingual workers across the federal government to translate counterterrorism intelligence.

"It is troubling that five and a half years after September 11, the federal government still lacks a coordinated strategy and leadership to increase the number of Americans who are proficient in foreign languages," said Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee on the federal workforce and sponsor of the Senate measure (S. 451).

Rep. Brian Baird, D-Wash., introduced a companion to the National Foreign Language Coordination Act in the House (H.R. 747).

The 2000 Census found that only 9.3 percent of Americans speak both their native language and another language fluently, compared with 56 percent of people in the European Union.

Additionally, the Iraq Study Group reported last month that of the 1,000 American embassy workers employed in Baghdad, only 33 speak Arabic. Of the 33, only six are fluent. The study group recommended that the State and Defense secretaries, the Director of National Intelligence and U.S. officers and personnel about to be assigned to Iraq give language proficiency and cultural training the "highest possible priority."

The bills from Akaka and Baird would prompt the federal government to collaborate with educators, state and local governments, foreign language associations and the private sector to increase the number of Americans who speak and understand foreign languages.

The bill also would establish a National Foreign Language Coordination Council within the Executive Office of the President to develop and oversee the implementation of a comprehensive American foreign language strategy.

In addition, the measure aims to integrate language training into career fields in the government and private sector and increase the number of language-proficient professionals.

Akaka's subcommittee held a hearing last week on the federal government's language strategy.

Dr. Diane Birckbichler, director of the Foreign Language Center and chair of the departments of French and Italian at Ohio State University, testified that "if there is a national language strategy, it isn't very well known." Birckbichler further recommended that the government establish a national language policy to create a language-ready workforce for the future.

"Just as I have advocated the need for deputy secretaries for management at the departments of Defense and Homeland Security to direct and sustain management leadership, I envision a national language director to be responsible for maintaining and leading a cooperative effort to strengthen our foreign language capabilities," Akaka said in a statement.

COMMENTS

• I don’t understand why Codetalker is not used by governmental agencies. I am assuming it’ because Codetalker is less expensive (at least 90%) and a small minority owned business. Codetalker is patented language interpretation software that is downloaded into Smartphones, PDA’s, Blackberries, etc. Simply say, e.g., “Turkish” into your cell phone and immediately a “real person” Turkish interpreter is on the line to assist with a private interpretation or use the speaker phone for a clear three way session. No customer service intermediary between you and the interpreter asking for pin numbers or account verification. Simply press enter and connect to a real person in the language you request. Codetalker supports over 175 languages, 24/7/365 anywhere on earth. Although they are planning to introduce Codetalker at the Beijing Olympics 2008, there is no reason the Military, Homeland Security and municipal governments should not be all over this application! otis Jones Posted October 10, 2007 4:05 PM
• Dear Anon: Wrong! I am conversant in another language, and have traveled extensively, both for the government and privately. But that doesn't mean that I buy the tired old cliché about one world, peace and love and all that 1960's nonsense. That was prevalent in college, and just as simplistic and sappy then as it is now. I've also studied World History and religions extensively, have you? Take a course or so in anthropology (especially Linguistics) and you might understand that language is too important to each culture to be shared with others easily. Note: I did agree with the need for people in government to learn a language needed in their job description. But to naively say that we should all speak a second language is ridiculous. When, why learn Chinese, which dialect? To order from a Chinese restaurant? Learn Spanish because the 12 million or so illegal infiltrators (many of whom are illiterate in Spanish) can’t understand me? Grow up. GovExec.com reader Posted February 5, 2007 2:57 PM
• Senior Inspector (Retired) -- From your display of good, ol' American ethnocentrism, I take it that you've never studied another language. 'Fraid your simplistic assessment of the value of multilingualism misses the point - big time. Being able to speak in someone else's tongue means more than just being able to order a beer or buy a trinket on a trip over the border. It is also an enabler for seeing the world through someone else's eyes and experience and gaining some insights into what makes people tick and the world go 'round. Gaining an appreciation of the world beyond our borders doesn't mean giving up our ideals or our mother tongue - but it sure could make our way in the world easier. GovExec.com reader Posted February 5, 2007 12:39 PM