Finding friends with French
Volume 11, No. 39, March 23, 2006
By PO Kaye Adams

In the translation: Capt Sarah Hingston talks to French personnel aboard HMAS Manoora. Photo by AB Jo Dilorenzo.

CAPT Sarah Hingston may have just completed her French language course, but she has already put her new linguistic skills to the test as she participated at this year’s Exercise Croix Du Sud. Her key role was working as an interpreter between the French and English-speaking nations.

She was able to interpret for the French general and the command-post headquarters in Noumea, while out in the field, and on board HMA Ships Tobruk and Manoora, which both carried French troops and vehicles. With only one other French linguist deployed with the Australian force, her skills were in great demand.

Whether it was to interpret key elements to command personnel at briefings, or instructions to French army truck drivers when Australian Army personnel were trying to tow them out of a bog on the beach, her skills came in handy when it was essential to clarify exact wording.

Capt Hingston completed a 10-month French General Language Course last year at the ADF School of Languages, which included a month in-country to work with the French defence force.
Capt Hingston lists the entire language experience as one of the highlights of her career so far. Her core duties are in strategic intelligence and this is the first time she has been able to use her language skills in the field.