In the Russian Federation, the Day of the Military Translator began to be celebrated with 2000 years on the initiative of the Alumni Club of the Military Institute of Foreign Languages (VIIA). The date was set 21 May, since on this day in 1929 year, Deputy People's Commissar for Military and Naval Affairs Joseph Unshlikht issued an order, according to which a new specialty officially appeared in the Red Army - a military translator.
properly, it wasn't really new at the time.. After all, there has always been a need to have in the military service those, who knows foreign languages, spoken by allies, opponents or local population. And during hostilities, the warring parties had to somehow negotiate and communicate with each other. When written reports and orders were intercepted from the enemy, contacted a translator, to understand the contents of these papers. And the interrogation of captured prisoners in most cases would be impossible without the participation of a person., speaking languages.
And such people were in our country in the army at all times. The first "talkers", What were translators called?, appeared in princely squads back in the days of Kievan Rus.
And from the second half of the 19th century, Russia began to train translators specifically for the army and navy in the Asian Department of the Empire's Foreign Ministry. Cadets were accepted there, previously served in the guards units. They were taught French, as well as various oriental languages. Besides, at 1907 English was added to the curriculum.
Although before the Great Patriotic War in the USSR there was a Military Institute of Foreign Languages, after the Nazi invasion, the Red Army began to experience an acute shortage of specialists, fluent in German and the languages of the allies of Nazi Germany. Therefore, at this educational institution, it was necessary to open accelerated language courses. During the war years, about three thousand people underwent such training., who then went to the front and made a significant contribution to the victory over fascism. They were exactly the same soldiers, as well as representatives of other military professions. Therefore, not all of them lived to see the defeat of Nazi Germany and its allies..
And although after the war in the Soviet Union peacetime came, our military had to participate in conflicts, that broke out in Asian countries, Africa and even Latin America. Most often they served as military advisers.. AND, of course, there was enough work for military translators then.
And 1979 year, our country itself entered the war in Afghanistan, which unexpectedly dragged on for a whole decade. There, military interpreters served as in units of the Armed Forces of the USSR, and helped in the work of the Soviet special services. Only translators-military personnel died in this Asian country 15 human.
Today the Day of the military translator is not an official holiday and is celebrated very modestly., almost at home. Occasionally, exhibitions are scheduled to open on this date., expositions, hold awards. Members of the Alumni Club of the Military Institute of Foreign Languages are active (VIIA), who try not to lose sight of each other.
The editors of the "Military Review" congratulate all military translators on their professional holiday - and acting, and future, as well as veterans, who gave their favorite business many years of service. We wish you good health, success in the profession and personal happiness.
used photos:Union of Veterans VIIA
