The use of the NATO Glossary of Terms and Definitions: Allied Administrative Publications 6 (AAP-6 (2010) in language training

Transcription

1 AARMS Vol. 11, No. 2 (2012) EDUCATION The use of the NATO Glossary of Terms and Definitions: Allied Administrative Publications 6 (AAP-6 (2010) in language training KOSZTASZ PANAJOTU Language Teaching Centre, National University of Public Service, Budapest, Hungary The present study focuses on the use of the NATO Glossary of Terms and Definitions: Allied Administrative Publications 6 (AAP-6) primarily used in terminology standardisation. The author analyses its strengths and weaknesses from the aspect of non-native users of military English in order to help them benefit from AAP-6, which can also be utilised as a modern dictionary of military English providing its users with the most up-to-date military terminology. Introduction Non-native users of military English have to keep up with the development of military terminology in order to maintain their language proficiency, however, this is an uphill struggle because of the lack of appropriate dictionaries of military English. There are certain glossaries and learners dictionaries, the best known of which are widely used both in classrooms and for individual studies but due to the slow process of dictionary development such supplements are lagging behind the fast development of military terminology. Some of the dictionaries of military English are suitable for catering for the needs of elementary or intermediate level language learners i but non-native speakers with a good command of military English that is with knowledge of English at or above STANAG may have troubles with finding proper linguistic support for improving their linguistic skills. Although there are some publications available in the internet, these are the products of agencies of national Ministries of Defence therefore they have non- NATO standard vocabulary too ii which may generate confusion. i The most popular dictionaries of military English include: Campaign Dictionary of Military Terms (Macmillan Publishing House, 2004); Collins Dictionary of Military Terms (Peter Collins Publishing House, 1999). ii Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms ( UK Glossary of Joint and Multinational Terms and Definitions. Joint Warfare Publication ( Received: May 4, 2012 Address for correspondence: KOSZTASZ PANAJOTU panajotu.kosztasz@uni-nke.hu

2 As a teacher of military English and translator of military texts I regard AAP-6 as a primary source of military terminology in English and French. Unlike other dictionaries of military terms it is up-to-date and meets the requirements outlined in the Guidance for the Development and Publication of NATO Terminology approved on 27 April The development of AAP-6 AAP-6 is developed and maintained by the Military Committee Terminology Conference (MCTC) as part of the NATO Terminology Programme (NTP). It is originating in the NATO Military Terminology Standardization Programme initiated by the NATO Standing Group in February As a result of that initiative the Military Agency for Standardization (MAS) (predecessor of the NATO Standardization Agency (NSA)) was tasked with the coordination of NATO military terminology; then the initial steps for processing terminology were outlined; and general terms of reference (TOR) were provided. The TOR are periodically changed and updated to provide for the participation of all NATO nations. In 1970 the Air Board, MAS, promulgated NATO Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 3680 NATO Glossary of Military Terms and Definitions (English and French) (AAP-6) in order to assist Service Boards, working groups and panels of experts in considering terminology within their scope. The details of the agreement state that participating nations agree to use AAP-6 and any subsequent changes published periodically as the primary glossary for NATO terms of military significance and their definitions. iii In 2009 the NATO Terminology Management System (NTMS) was officially launched on the NSA s protected Internet site, thus taking over the pre-eminence of AAP- 6 in military terminology. The NTMS includes AAP-6 and another 20 glossaries and, under the NTP, is the reference for NATO terminology. However, for the time being the NTMS will reflect the terminology from AAP-6 and both electronic and paper copies of this glossary will continue to be issued annually. Entries for inclusion in AAP-6 are not to be classified in order to make AAP-6 available to the public through the Internet. The glossary is compiled by the direction of the Military Committee and with the approval of the NATO Council. AAP-6 has several purposes: J to standardize general terminology with a specific military meaning; J to standardize specialist terminology to be widely understood throughout NATO; and iii NATO Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 3680 NATO Glossary of Military Terms and Definitions (English and French) (AAP-6) p AARMS 11(2) (2012)

3 J to standardize terms not precisely defined in the reference dictionaries of NATO Terminology Programme (NTP) s. It is of high importance that in accordance with STANAG 3680 and C-M (2005) 0023, Directive on the NATO Terminology Programme, the terms and definitions contained in the glossary are approved by every NATO member state. Thus AAP-6 can significantly contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding and strengthening the defence capabilities of the Alliance. The definitions in the glossary help to express NATO policy more clearly without establishing or modifying them. The structure of AAP-6 The glossary is divided into four main parts: 1. Organization and Procedures. 2. NATO Agreed terms and definitions of military significance in English. The corresponding French preferred terms are shown immediately following the English entry term e.g. chemical dose/dose chimique 3. NATO Agreed terms and definitions of military significance in French. The corresponding English preferred terms are shown immediately following the French entry term e.g. attaque délibérée/deliberate attack 4. List of Abbreviations. Although C-M (2007) 0023, Guidance for the Development and Publication of NATO Terminology prescribed the introduction of abbreviations in AAP-6 (2008) in order to comply with the layout for NATO glossaries, the Office of NATO Terminology Coordination (ONTC), responsible for issuing AAP-6, decided to change the abbreviations list to a single-language format because the bilingual version often generated confusion. The main reason for this resolution must be the large number of similarities in English and French languages; nevertheless the 2010 version of AAP-6 has some French abbreviations and acronyms. The main features The glossary is presented with an entry for each term, in the English and the French alphabetical orders in Part 2 and Part 3 respectively. Abbreviations and their full forms, but without definitions, are listed in Part 4. AARMS 11(2) (2012) 251

4 Organization of an entry Each entry in Part 2 contains first the preferred term in English followed by a slash and its equivalent term in French, followed by any synonyms and abbreviations, the definition, notes, examples, cross-references to related terms and figures, the source and the date on which the entry became NATO-agreed. Such information also includes: any deprecated synonyms, and/or obsolete synonyms. The entries are uninotional, which means each concept (also known as the notion) is listed in a separate entry giving its designation(s), definition and any metadata. Grammatical form: Since the glossary is compiled primarily not for linguists it gives grammatical information, i.e. word class, gender and/or number, only in cases where there is a risk of misunderstanding. Synonymy: Non-preferred terms are also listed as separate entries in alphabetical order, giving only a cross-reference to the preferred term. Polysemy: When a term has more than one meaning, each meaning is given in a separate entry in order to minimise the risk of misunderstandings. Abbreviation entry: An entry in Part 4 contains only the abbreviation and its full form without providing any additional information on the meaning, usage, or pronunciation of the term. Therefore the structure of the entry of the word aerodrome is the following: Term: aerodrome/french equivalent: aérodrome Synonym: airfield Usage: AD (air defence) Definition: An area prepared for the accommodation (including any buildings, installations and equipment), landing and take-off of aircraft. Related terms: advanced aerodrome; aerodrome traffic 1, 2; air strip; air traffic; alternate aerodrome; diversion 4; diversion aerodrome; helipad; landing area 2; landing site 1; main aerodrome; redeployment aerodrome; touchdown zone 1, 2. Date when the term became NATO-agreed: 01 Feb 1973 Synonyms are managed fairly liberally as they are not given in separate entries but they are grouped in alphabetical order after the preferred term and indicated with cross references. Thus the user of the glossary is made learn the real term. As it has already been highlighted above, in the case of polysemy each meaning of a term is defined in separate entries in order to avoid misunderstandings. The term diversion, taken from the entry above can be found as a separate term in the following entries: 252 AARMS 11(2) (2012)

5 diversion/diversion The act of drawing the attention and forces of an enemy from the point of the principal operation. diversion 2 /diversion 2 An attack, or alarm, or feint which diverts attention. Related term: demonstration. diversion 3 /déroutement 1 A change made in a prescribed route for operational or tactical reasons. Except in the case of aircraft, a diversion order will not constitute a change of destination. Related term: emergency movement. diversion 4 /déroutement 2 In air traffic control, the act of proceeding to an aerodrome other than one at which a landing was intended. Related terms: aerodrome; alternate aerodrome; diversion aerodrome. diversion 5 /déroutement 3 The act of deflecting or turning persons or objects from their planned route. Related term: emergency movement. 01 Oct 2001 diversion 6 /déviation 2 In naval mine warfare, a route or channel bypassing a dangerous area. A diversion may connect one channel to another or it may branch from a channel and rejoin it on the other side of the danger. Related term: route. 14 Oct 2002 Evaluation This structure is an excellent combination of the features of monolingual and bilingual dictionaries, making AAP-6 an extremely important tool of unifying NATO military terminology. The glossary can also serve as a solid and reliable starting point of developing a national military dictionary since it contains the unified vocabulary used by the armed forces in all NATO member states. The precise definitions in the dictionary and the use of both official languages of the Alliance make the identification AARMS 11(2) (2012) 253

6 of the meanings of the terms fairly easy. Thanks to its annual updating the material of the dictionary closely follows the development of military terminology and continues to be current. Since the reference dictionary for the glossary is the Concise Oxford English Dictionary the proper British English spelling is guaranteed. The French language input is also a significant feature of the glossary with the Petit Robert as its French reference dictionary. Thanks to the French section users with a certain level of French can more easily identify the correct meaning of terms as they have a chance to compare the definitions of terms in both languages. However, the glossary has three significant weaknesses affecting its use by nonnative English language learners and teachers: 1. It does not present any phonetic symbols to indicate the proper pronunciation of the terms and abbreviations. Without such information even native speakers of English may have troubles with the appropriate use of military terms in speaking, particularly with that of abbreviations. 2. It provides the user with very limited grammatical information on the terms as the primary target audience of the glossary does not comprise linguists. Therefore it gives grammatical information, such as word class, gender and/or number, only in cases where there is a risk of misunderstanding. 3. The glossary lacks sample sentences. Such models are extremely useful for orienting the users of a dictionary by assisting them with building correct structures with a new term. That is why dictionaries of general English widely apply sample sentences allowing non-native speakers of military English to actively use the newly acquired vocabulary by guiding them in the system of English syntax. Since AAP-6 is a constantly developing collection of terminology, proposals for new terms and definitions or changes to or deletion of existing terms and definitions can be made. All such suggestions and inquiries should be sent to the: NATO Terminology Coordinator Office of NATO Terminology Coordination NATO Standardization Agency (NSA) NATO Headquarters B 1110 Brussels Belgium. The glossary is available in an easy-to-use electronic form in, English and French, the two official languages of NATO. These versions are updated and made accessible annually through the internet at (accessed 08 March 2012). 254 AARMS 11(2) (2012)

7 Conclusions Non-native users of military English wishing to maintain their level of English, learners of military English, experts involved in working with military terminology, and military officers required to keep up with the development of military English can have a number of glossaries and learners dictionaries assisting them. Nevertheless, non-native speakers with knowledge of English at or above STANAG may find AAP-6 as a most reliable primary source of military terminology in English and French. Since it is up-to-date and meets the requirements outlined in the Guidance for the Development and Publication of NATO Terminology approved on 27 April 2007 it is a good means to support linguistic (self-)development. The purposes of the glossary, to standardize general terminology with a specific military meaning, specialist terminology to be widely understood throughout NATO, and terms not precisely defined in the reference dictionaries, overlap with the objectives of anyone involved in military terminology. That is why the author of the present study wishes to emphasise that AAP-6 in spite of its above mentioned disadvantages can significantly contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding and strengthening the defence capabilities of the Alliance through the support it provides to wide public. References 1. Campaign Dictionary of Military Terms. Macmillan Publishing House, Oxford, Collins Dictionary of Military Terms. Peter Collins Publishing House, London, Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. US Department of Defence UK Glossary of Joint and Multinational Terms and Definitions. Joint Warfare Publication Joint Warfare Publication March (4 th ed.). 5. NATO Glossary of Terms and Definitions. Allied Administrative Publications 6 (AAP-6 (2010). 6. Brassey s Multilingual Military Dictionary. Brassey s Defence Publishers, London AARMS 11(2) (2012) 255