New book on Naval slang

A collection of thousands of naval slang words and phrases known as "Jackspeak" has been published, highlighting just how many of them have crept in to the modern lexicon over the years.
Ever been caught between the devil and the deep blue sea? Or maybe you have been told to show a leg, been taken aback or have been made to run the gauntlet.

These men can laugh about working for the "Grey Funnel Line" (the navy)
If so, you have been using just a few of the thousands of slang words and phrases coined or adopted by the Royal Navy - the world's oldest organised fighting service - over the course of more than 400 years.

BBC website

Jewish US army translator who got close to the Nazis

A German Jew who became a US military translator is the last surviving member of a team that carried out psychological tests on leading Nazis after the war. They learned very little, he says - but he gained unique insights into their characters.

"If you took away the names of these Nazis, and just sat down to talk to them, they were like your friends and neighbours."

Howard Triest, 88, spent many hours with some of the most notorious leaders of the Third Reich, acting as a translator for American psychiatrists at Nuremberg.

BBC website

Obituary: Nancy Wake SOE servicewoman

During the second world war, the servicewoman Nancy Wake, who has died aged 98, became known as "the White Mouse", a nickname given to her by the Gestapo for her elusiveness. In the run-up to D-day, Wake, who was born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, joined the Special Operations Executive (SOE), which was eager to recruit French-speaking women to serve as couriers.

Guardian

Poorly organised language provision has major effect on success of military intervention

A University of Reading led study has found that poorly organised language provision can have a major effect on the success of military intervention. The three-year project is the first study to examine the way war is spoken, and focus on the people who give a voice to the 'friendly faces'.

Reading website

MoD to issue 'combat French' qualifications

The Ministry of Defence is to award members of the armed forces the equivalent of GCSEs in "combat French" for being able to translate signs warning of unexploded bombs and interviewing witnesses after an attack. The MoD is the first public sector body to follow McDonald's, Flybe and Network Rail in a scheme to allow organisations to become awarding bodies, able to train and issue qualifications to staff.

Tuesday, 3 April 2008
The Guardian

Paras learn Pashto

Paratroopers due to arrive in Afghanistan in the next few days have been preparing for their deployment by learning the local language.

Eleven soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA), based at Colchester Garrison, have spent the last ten months learning Pashto, the language spoken in southern Afghanistan.

Tuesday 25th March 2008
Defence News