Language Training
Recently the advanced ‘Functional’ level Pashto language and cultural course took their final exams. Pashto is the major dialect of the Helmand region in Afghanistan. Run at 40 Commando Royal Marines based in Taunton; this was a full time course, 40 weeks long. The course focused on speaking, reading, writing and culture.
In a sustained effort to create better understanding, communications and relations between ISAF soldiers and the Afghanistan public, 40 Commando Royal Marines have hosted one of the first major language courses in Pashto.
Pashto is the dominant dialect spoken in the Helmand province where UK ISAF troops are based.
Pashtu is an extremely difficult language to learn since its structure is completely different from our own. For starters you read from the right to the left (opposite to English speakers) and a completely different manuscript and alphabet is used. It appears far more pictorial than the Arabic letters English speakers are used to.
Competition for places on language courses is extremely fierce due to the limited numbers of courses run; set by the low numbers of qualified instructors available in the UK who teach Pashto. All candidates who volunteered sat a military language aptitude test to ascertain suitability for studying Pashto.
At 40 Commando Royal Marines there were two courses being taught concurrently. Both courses completed at the tail end of December 09 and before Christmas leave.
Firstly, there is a 10 week course which has 14 students and aims to bring students up to a ‘Survival’ level of Speaking and Listening.
Secondly, there is a 40 week course which has 8 students, 6 from 40 Commando Royal Marines and 2 from the Gurkhas. This course aims to reach an advanced ‘Functional’ level in Speaking and Listening and a ‘Survival’ level in written.
In exercises these language students play prominent roles in talking to Afghan villagers, acting as interpreters and translators. Further, students play an instrumental role in understanding the Afghan culture and teaching others how to best communicate effectively with locals. This cultural understanding and respectful behavior is vital for growing trusting relationships with local Afghans. This is why cultural awareness packages have been given to all members of 40 Commando Royal Marines.
The following 3 quotes are from the Marines on the 40 week Pashto course.
In a characteristically jovial manor and in the style of ‘The Anchorman’ film, Marine Rob Milner, 22, from Taunton said:
“Learning Pashto for a boot-neck is like doing a thousand bicep curls….easy”
Marine Ryan O’Regan, 24, from Bristol said:
“Being able to communicate with the Afghans will make our jobs easier and safer… it will also allow the people to approach us more… to be less scared.”
Marine Karl Haoee, 20, said:
“Learning the language (Pashto) could save lives, yours or theirs…I hope it will change attitudes on both sides”
Cultural Awareness
The Royal Marines of 40 Commando have participated in a series of intensive Afghan Cultural Awareness training packages over the last 6 weeks.
The aim of the Cultural Awareness packages has been to educate and train all ranks about Pashtun Wali – the Pashtun way of life.
The majority of training was delivered by Afghan nationals. 40 Commando has received an education into the cultural values, beliefs and perceptions of the Afghan people. These cultural training packages attempt to enable 40 Commando to learn how the Afghan people would like to be treated by them.
Learning to empathise with the Afghan people, or stand in their shoes, can only aid relationships and increase the levels of cooperation experienced with the Afghanistan people.
The course tutor, who wishes to remain anonymous, said:
“It simply is not good enough for the troops to grow a beard, smile and be polite. We must truly understand the Afghanistan people and their culture to be effective in creating security for the development of Afghanistan”
The Unit’s Commanding Officer, Lt Col Paul James Royal Marines, said:
“For 40 Commando to be successful in our mission it is crucial for all ranks to fully understand and to be able to relate to the Afghan People.”
Model Afghan Village
The final touches to the scale model of a small Afghan compound/village are underway at 40 Commando where training and demonstration of cultural consideration will be held. Details of the completion will be released presently.
