ADVANTAGES OF LEARNING FRENCH BY THE UN PEACEKEEPERS: FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF BANGLADESH ARMY PERSONNEL

Language difference can sometimes hinder Bangladeshi Army personnel in fulfilling their responsibilities effectively, especially in the UN peacekeeping missions. Currently, these missions are active in approximately twelve African countries. French is commonly spoken alongside their native languages in these African nations, which differs from the language spoken in Bangladesh. The lack of proficiency in French language skills can lead to miscommunication and challenges for Bangladeshi peacekeepers to work in such context. Hence, being proficient in French language can be advantageous for the Army personnel who work for the UN peacekeeping mission. The study aimed to investigate the advantages of learning French by the Army personnel in Bangladesh from the perspective of the UN peace mission. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive approach to explore the Army personnel’s perception regarding the advantages of learning French. The study has found that learning French is beneficial for the Army personnel in Bangladesh as UN peacekeepers, as it is one of the official languages of the United Nations. French language skills help the UN peacekeepers build trust with local communities, facilitate better teamwork, and understand cultural nuances. Learning French also opens up personal and professional opportunities for the Army personnel, and helps them form deeper connections with colleagues and stakeholders while in UN mission.