"Use your Arabic, Build your future" reads the headline of a U.S. Army recruiting advertisement posted at the army website. The copy then goes on to explain the opportunities: "As an Arabic speaker you have the unique opportunity to join the U.S. Army as a Translator Aide." At the top of the ad is a picture of three men talking, with one holding a folder with a large Arabic-script word on it.
Funny thing is, that word is not Arabic at all, but Persian. It is khavarmianeh, meaning Middle East in that language.
It appears that the army really does need help with Arabic. (April 17, 2005)
