Integration through learning a language

Use this forum to discuss the March 2022 Book of the month, "My Enemy in Vietnam" by Billy Springer
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Owuamanam Eberechukwu
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Integration through learning a language

Post by Owuamanam Eberechukwu »

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.
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Post by Connor Farrell »

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.
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Post by cutemami »

Learning a language of any place you are in will always be advantageous. Blending in with the locals becomes easier and it becomes more efficient to navigate the place. As a soldier, the main advantage might be to overhear conversations that could ultimately save your life and the lives of your companions. Being attached to the locals is a possibility although it can be minimised by keeping the interactions with the locals at a low level.
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Amy Luman
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Post by Amy Luman »

I think that learning the language of the people you’re living with creates respect whether you are a soldier or not. Just think about it; would you want to help someone who didn’t even respect you enough to try to communicate with you?
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Post by 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.
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Post by Inks and Quills »

This is a thoughtful question. I think that learning a language can lend empathy and insight to a group of people that may not have been understood well before. Especially in wartime, it can be seen as a sign of good will and understanding. Knowledge is power as the old adage goes.
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Post by 5_tourmaline »

Learning the language shows how respect and appreciation for the people. It may even help you understand why you are at war with them. And also avoid excessive collateral damage.
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Post by Reading_Jack »

Study your enemy to know their inside secret. It's very much necessary. You need to keep your enemy close. In fact, it is used as a strategy sometimes. This would make the indigenes feel like you are with them. So, i say that learning a new language in a different environment is an opportunity and would be more advantageous, war or not.
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Post by Salah bourouba »

learning the people you are living with language is definitely a must whether you are at was or not, because it could somehow save your life or change it, understanding what people are saying can definitely be of great help in difficult situations like being held captive or being stuck in a crossfire.
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Post by Macha Marumo Mphela »

This is a very interesting thought. On one hand, learning the language of the people would make one a thoughtful and empathetic human, whilst it might make them a worse off soldier. I guess it depends on the individual. If connecting with the locals in their language works for one soldier it may not work for the other, but I'm learning towards learning the language.
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Macha Marumo Mphela
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Post by Macha Marumo Mphela »

Connor Farrell wrote: 02 Mar 2022, 11:07 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.
This is where I'm leaning to. Being a decent human won't necessarily mean being a bad soldier.
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Macha Marumo Mphela
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Post by Macha Marumo Mphela »

Kelsey Copeland wrote: 02 Mar 2022, 13:14 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.
You said it very well. Learning the language may help the soldier see war from the eyes of the locals, which can make said soldier better at being human and doing the job.
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Post by Sable Pratt »

Billy Springer demonstrates to us that by learning a foreign language, we can easily integrate ourselves to the foreign culture's values and beliefs, creating friendship and brotherhood where there'd been none.
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Post by TrustedInc »

I think learning the language of we're you are show the level of your patriotism irrespective of the circumstances
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Post by Janelydia Mwangi »

Language has been the medium of communication hence learning other languages helps you to fit in their environment. In addition, to a soldier you are able to get the codes of the enemies and friends. If the people you protect are in danger, then you will know since you understand the codes they use in their language. So it is ok the soldier learnt.
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