Language video game benefits warfighter, makes learning fun

1st Lt. DeWitt Latimer, Space and Missile Systems Center Space Radar chief software engineer, guides "Sgt. John Smith" through a conversation with an Iraqi native in an immersive game-based language system at the University of Southern California Information Sciences Institute. (Photo by Jason M. Webb)

Blackanthem.com, LOS ANGELES AFB, Calif., September 09, 2005

Sgt. John Smith walks through the dusty Iraqi town with a mission. As he arrives at the local café, he spots a man and approaches him. As the man stands up, Sergeant Smith introduces himself in Iraqi Arabic. He is an American military member, part of a civil affairs unit, there to help build a better Iraq. The Iraqi stranger welcomes him.

This scenario may take place in Iraq, but for 1st Lt. DeWitt Latimer, Space and Missile Systems Center Space Radar chief software engineer, it takes place weekly at the University of Southern California Information Sciences Institute as part of an interactive game testing program for the Tactical Iraqi (TM) language and culture program.

The program was developed at USC with funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to meet the military’s need to learn different languages. A private company, Tactical Language Training, LLC, is now transitioning the program into military use.

Lewis Johnson, a research professor at USC and CEO of Tactical Language Training, is the principal investigator for the project.

"We are working on an approach to learn what is needed to do a particular mission in country; things like introductions, how to explain the mission, how to make inquiries and what to do if people are suspicious of you," he said.

Lieutenant Latimer, chief software engineer for the Space and Missile Systems Center’s Space Radar Program, is a Ph.D. student in computer science at USC. He became involved in the project after he attended a talk by Professor Johnson. He has been testing the program on a part-time basis for about three months.

Tactical Iraqi is an adaptation of the Unreal Tournament 2003 video game, where guns were replaced with cultural gestures and a speech recognizer.

"Now, instead of going through a world and shooting people, I’m going through a world trying to engage people in conversation, gesturing to them and treating them respectfully," Lieutenant Latimer said. "That’s how I accumulate points throughout the game."

The system is comprised of three components: an interactive Skill Builder; an arcade, where students practice select words and phrases, direction, colors and military ranks; and the Mission Game scenario system, which integrates all the knowledge from the other two parts.

The Mission Game is an over-the-shoulder view of Sgt. John Smith. Participants move through the world trying to speak with people in different situations, such as a gentleman in a local café.

"My job is to go up and try to find out who’s in charge of the area, get directions and meet that person," Lieutenant Latimer said. "The first thing I have to do is say ‘Asalama Alaikum’ with the appropriate gestures and pronunciation before I can move forward in the scenario."

Participants not only learn the language but also the customs and culture. The game indicates how receptive and friendly the subject is to the participant.

"If you go too far, or you’re not using enough polite gestures, eventually they accuse you of being CIA and think you’re just there for information and that you’re not genuinely there to help them," said Lieutenant Latimer. "It ends up that you can’t accomplish your mission if you don’t know how to interact with the people."

Tactical Iraqi allows participants to use an immersive, self-paced, experiential environment to learn the language.

"A lot of students find it difficult to transfer from a classroom environment to an actual conversation," Professor Johnson said. "The program allows more interaction, but not with real people, so there is no awkwardness."

According to Lieutenant Latimer, the system is important for the warfighter and current operations in Iraq.

"The simple ability to walk up to somebody and say ‘hello’ appropriately means the world to making sure you’re safe," he said. "Ultimately, it’s the people around you and your relationship with the community that will make this mission succeed. Speaking to them in their own language shows that you care about them; you’re not there just to execute a mission. It shows that we value them as people."

The program, which has been in the development and testing phase for just over two years, is now making the transition to fielding.

"Active-duty Marines and Soldiers are currently using the program in school houses and in cultural awareness programs," Professor Johnson said.

Tactical Language Training and USC are currently working on other versions for different missions and languages.

"Tactical Iraqi uses a game system that is very accessible to today’s young military members," Lieutenant Latimer said. "They’ve used video games, they know about running through a maze and they know about trying to achieve victory in a 3D game environment. Because it’s a game, as opposed to saying ‘I have to sit down for two hours and learn Iraqi,’ I have to sit down and say, ‘In two hours I have to be done and get off the system.’ It’s that engaging. It’s that powerful."

By Candrea Thomas
Space and Missile Systems Center Public Affairs