Integration through learning a language

[Kelsey Copeland]

I’m no soldier and there hasn’t been a veteran in my immediate family for a couple generations, but I feel like war is something very complex, and something that ignorance can easily take advantage of.

If you’re in a country and fighting a war, I think no matter how sure you are that you’re doing the right thing, you should always keep all your eyes open. Maybe you need to close them at certain times. Of course, you don’t need to be questioning your superiors in super dire situations or deserting in the middle of any skirmish or shootout, but I think without knowing the language of the people/environment around you, you’re willingly closing yourself off from better understanding the war you’re a part of. And that seems irresponsible.

Spoken my heart! Language has many purposes. It not only shows closeness in a community and keeps people connected, but also helps maintain their integrity at tough times like that of wars!

Aw thank you :3 I must say it means a lot to get a response like yours.

[Ruth Frances A]

Of course one should. For me it is a war tactic, war is war, and every weapon counts. Believe using languid one such. It is always a good to understand what you are up against. Better still, depending on the circumstances, you can use it to spy on your enemies In this case, you can act like you don’t know anything at all. At another level, you make them lower their guard. In the worst case scenario, if captured, you could get a different treatment though a prisoner of war. So well it would be good.

[owobanji]

I do not think there is much of a correlation. I do, however, think that it is best for them to learn the language because it can help them better with navigating their path through a foreign land. I don't see any bad that can come from that.

[Ayomikun Babalola]

I believe it might be fifty-fifty, the soldier could become empathetic to his enemies and lose the ability to coldly and blindly follow orders. Though, learning the language could also give the soldier an edge over his enemies as he will be able to easily process enemy Intel. Ultimately, which ever the soldier chooses is determined by different factors in his psychology.

[RajvirxSandhu]

The author of my enemy in Vietnam shared how he had to learn the language in other to thrive and relate well with the locals. Do you think learning the language of a new place you visit a good relations opportunity while on a war, or will it weaken the soldier by making the soldier attached to the people he is supposed to be fighting.

I believe learning a new language to the place you are visiting makes better communication to the people and opportunity for better understanding. Often, if there is a language barrier, relationships tend to break down, making it harder to come to a mutual agreement, leading to a negative impact. I do not believe learning a new language of the place the soldier is fighting would weaken a soldier as it would help for a better understanding of what is going on around them. I believe that a soldier might get attached, but I don't think it's through learning the language but rather the culture, and we are all human and tend to be more emphatic when we see anyone in pain.

[Laura Britos]

The author of my enemy in Vietnam shared how he had to learn the language in other to thrive and relate well with the locals. Do you think learning the language of a new place you visit a good relations opportunity while on a war, or will it weaken the soldier by making the soldier attached to the people he is supposed to be fighting.

What you are pointing out is actually a really good point. I first thought that leaning the language would help soldiers to survive, by making them able to connect not only with locals but also with other soldiers. However, I cannot think about how it would help soldiers to survive at war. Nonetheless, to lear such language, soldiers would have to be in contact with civilians or living amongst them, which is not the case most of the time. Therefore, there is a very slim chance that soldiers can learn the language and use that knowledge to their advantage.

[José Cortez]

I do not think so. The best way to learn an enemy is to be like them, learn what they learn and hear what they say. Language barrier cause huge issues when it comes to war. It is a matter of survival here and understanding the locals.

[Kuchi Mercy]

I believe having good relations with the locals is a better option. It doesn't weaken the soldier but serves as an advantage on every frontier.

[Brenda Creech]

I believe anytime you are going to a foreign country for any reason and spend a lot of time there, you should learn the language! I believe it shows respect, plus it keeps you abreast of things that are going on around you.

[Rhodahams]

I think the soldier did the right thing by learning the way of the locals and their language. It would be wise to learn your enemies language so as not to close yourself off from minor information you could get by mere interaction.

[Raquel Sojo]

No, I think that it is a matter of good relations. Learning the language shows the civilians that you are dedicated to fighting with and for them instead of just mercenaries. It will not weaken the soldier by making them more attached.

You completely expressed my way of thinking, since it isn't something that detracts from them, I see it as something positive that can help them to understand and relate to each other better.

[Ozioma Miriam]

A soldier learning the language of the people is advantageous. It helps with communication which is very vital. It is common that people are interested and nicer with a foreigner that knows their language than a person that doesn't.

[Bibi Farheen K]

I think war is more than just soldiers against each other. Yes, getting to know the locals may make one sympathize with them. But, isn't that human? Aren't they human? War is not just land and war booty. It is people, actual REAL people dying. The soldiers live it. The locals live it. Those commanding from their comfort of their chairs, while they may know the consequences, neither live it nor have to lead the rest of their lives carrying the burden of the lives they have taken.

Learning a language is important for soldiers (and civilians alike). That way, they can comprehend the ways of lives, the way of thinking and the cultures they are destroying. That way, maybe someday, someone will say, they are people like me and you. They can speak a different language, they can be a different color, they can have different food and religious culture. But, they are people like you and me, people who feel loss and pain like you and me, people who bleed just like you and me. And then, maybe, there can be hope for war to stop.

[Sarah Sonbol]

It is always advantageous to learn the language of people you are dealing with whether it is in war or peace. This is important for better communication. Ignorance of others' languages increases troubles and leads to a lot of misunderstandings.

[ikechukwuamarachi+55]

In my opinion, learning the language of the locals will enable him get close to them and gain their trust. This was why the Vietnamese called him a soul brother.