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Return to Article: Lawmakers unveil bills to improve language proficiency

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  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
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  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
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  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
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  Time to tackle this issue. The old Customs Service had a language bonus, which only rewarded those employees who were born into bilingual families. There was no program to teach other languages. Sound unfair? Blame the unions for that one. Besides, why do we need other languages if our jobs don't require it?

  We should be teaching English to the world, not learning Hindi or Chinese. Diversity never unites; it only divides, including language. English is the de facto Latin of today, let others learn our tongue. How many people out there need high school or college French. Who cares?

  GovExec.com reader Posted February 5, 2007 6:36 AM
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  Familiar with the term: "Bassackwards"? Two and a half thousand years ago Greek was the universal language. Then, Latin. Finally, English, a wonderful polyglot tongue utilizing many different other languages in it's construction. So why do we need to learn Pushtu or Hindi? Sure, for certain jobs and military needs it's necessary.

  But English is still(except in the illegal infiltrators homes)the defacto language of commerce, aviation, the UN, and most of the known world. Why waste time learning French, or Swahili if you don't need it? Although we're fading away on many fronts, we're still the best hope of mankind, and others would do well to learn English first!

  GovExec.com reader Posted February 2, 2007 7:45 PM
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  Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Burton's message could have benefited from the services of a good English editor, I agree with the central point that he passionately makes: start foreign language education early. Somehow, the initiative to do this, arising out of the "Sputnik" inducement in 1957, has been lost. I started with French in the 7th grade, completing six years of that and two of Russian by the time I graduated from high school. This wasn't necessarily typical at the time, but it was common. Had that focus been kept up, and updated for languages of contemporary interest (Arabic, Chinese), we would not be fumbling with issue today through well-intentioned but ineffective congressional bills, presidential panels, and numerous studies spanning years with no results. It is ironic that an inverse relationship exists between global flattening and American language skills.

  GovExec.com reader Posted February 2, 2007 11:46 AM
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  I can't agree more that Americans are lacking in foreign language skills. However, this is a classic "left and right hand" situation. I'm studying Greek. I've been encouraged to do so for my job. Many immigrants in this area are from the Balkans and the Middle East, and speak Greek.

  I work on my homework during lunch, and have used a Microsoft link, provided by the government to help with my writing assignments. When that link was deactivated, I asked why. Someone called me from D.C. and told me that there was just too much potential for disclosure! Right! When I write about that leaky pipe in my downstairs bath and my boys' soccer, I'm disclosing state secrets. Who are these people?

  GovExec.com reader Posted February 2, 2007 10:13 AM
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  I agree concerning the need for a language strategy. In fact, I am posted in Germany presently and denote how in Europe it is mandatory for a child to learn a second language. This is much like the U.S. earlier primary education requirement to learn Spanish, French, or Latin during my early educational years. It no longer exists as well as physical education. There has been such an obsession concerning establishing English as the only language to be spoken in the U.S. that we (Americans) are hurting ourselves internationally.

  We are not competitive with Europe because we are taking a counter stance to the development of these skills. We will offer additional pay to individuals in the job, we will allocate monies to some universities (because all of the higher educational systems will not meet the initial requirements), and we will have study groups and committees. We will spend thousands of dollars to advance this initiate when the monies should be placed in the primary and secondary school systems.

  When we should start where the learning of these skills is the easiest and most readily accepted. We can provide jobs for thousands of additional individuals with a foreign language skill to work in the educational system. We can grow tolerance, cultural acceptance and understanding, we can provide diversity acceptance and strengthen ourselves and our country simultaneously.

  If we want to be competitive with Europe, Asia, Africa and the rest of the world, if we want to create better understanding between cultures, if we want to protect our interest, our prosperity, and our country we must stop being objectionable to the diversity within our own country.

  Wayland H Burton Posted February 2, 2007 1:34 AM