However, this thesis does find that those trained in a genetically-related language tend to improve their proficiency in the year following language training, while those trained in a language not related to their other foreign language tend to lose proficiency. Other factors, like previous language learning experience and the study skills learned while at language training, come into play when the linguist tests for proficiency. This thesis concludes that training linguists in genetically-related languages does not guarantee better proficiency scores than linguists training in languages that are not genetically related to their first foreign language. The author surveys these linguists and analyzes the data to determine each linguist’s proficiency in his most recently learned language as well as the language he learned prior to that.
The Air Force currently lists almost 600 cryptologic linguists with proficiency in two or more languages. Additionally, the linguists in this study must have proficiency in at least two languages, as demonstrated on the Defense Language Proficiency Test, a standardized proficiency exam for military and civilian Department of Defense personnel with foreign language knowledge. The cryptologic linguist must maintain proficiency in listening and reading a language, while the other two career fields must also have speaking proficiency. This linguist differs from the Air Force’s two other linguist career fields.
This thesis set out to answer the following questions: How will training linguists in genetically-related languages improve proficiency scores and result in less off-duty study time for language maintenance? Will the linguists with two related languages have better proficiency at the end of language training than those learning an unrelated language? How will learning a new language affect the linguist’s proficiency in his previous foreign language? Does the amount of time of personal study while not on duty have any affect on the linguist’s proficiency? The target of this study is Air Force cryptologic linguists.
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