Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research

Improvising Language Capability : The British Army’s Corps of Interpreters, 1914-1915

Beach, J. and Bruce, J. (2023) Improvising Language Capability : The British Army’s Corps of Interpreters, 1914-1915. War in History. 0968-3445.

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Beach_Bruce_WiH_2022_Improvising_Language_Capability_The_British_Armys_Corps_of_Interpreters_1914_1915_Final.pdf - Published Version
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Abstract:
This article examines the British army’s short-lived Corps of Interpreters on the Western Front during the early stages of the First World War. It begins by establishing a benchmark for the regular army’s French language capability in 1914. It then explores the interpreters’ recruitment process, employment, and the corps’ subsequent dissolution. Further insight into their motivation and suitability is then determined through a prosopographical analysis of their backgrounds and accounts of their employment. Overall, the article provides an important case study of the pitfalls of improvising military language capability during a crisis.
Uncontrolled Keywords:
British army, First World War, interpreters, French, language capability, Cultural Studies, History
Creators:
Beach, J. and Bruce, J.
Date:
18 January 2023
Date Type:
Publication
Journal or Publication Title:
War in History
Number of Pages:
21
Language:
English
DOI:
10.1177/09683445221140305
ISSN:
0968-3445
Status:
Published / Disseminated
Refereed:
Yes
Related URLs:
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