The winner of last month’s Library Card Sign-up Month photo contest is… Kevin Barr! Kevin’s photo submissions came all the way from Iwakuni, Japan, where he is stationed with the US Marine Corps. We were curious to see a Marine like Kevin is learning Indonesian with us, so we exchanged a few emails to find out more.

Transparent Language: How long have you been serving in the Marine Corps? What is your MOS (military occupation specialty)?

Kevin Barr: I have been serving in the Marine Corps since June 2014 and am currently stationed in Japan.

TL: Where are you from and what languages did you speak/learn growing up?

KB: I was born and raised in Fredericksburg, Virginia with a Japanese mother and a white American father. When I was growing up I was never afforded the opportunity to learn Japanese, since my father could only speak English. We only spoke English in the house and never really learned the Japanese language until late into my high school years.

TL: Why are you learning Indonesian now? How long have you been studying?

KB: I started becoming really interested in Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian Language) after studying about the history that Indonesia had to go through in the past from Dutch colonization, Japanese Occupation and the rise of Sukarno and Suharto that helped to facilitate the modern Indonesian identity we see today. That really piqued my interest to learn the language and I started studying. I started to learn so much more about the lingua franca that Bahasa Indonesia is that united all the islands together Indonesia.

TL: How did you hear about Transparent Language? How long have you been using it?

KB: I asked the base library* if there was any way I could learn Bahasa Indonesia. They recommend Transparent Language Online. From there I started studying 35 minutes a day using the program. My goal is to complete it by the end of this year. I have been using the program for around 5 months and find it to be very useful.

TL: What is your favorite part about learning with Transparent Language Online?

KB: I really like how Transparent Language Online tracks my lessons and progress daily. Even if it’s just one word a day it is still progress compared to yesterday. The web based interface is amazing because it helps me practice Indonesian language from anywhere I have web access without needing additional applications.

TL: What do you hope to do after the Marine Corps? Does language play a role in your future plans?

KB: After the Marine Corps, I’m applying for the Darmasiwa scholarship to study Indonesia for one year. After studying in Indonesia, I want to teach English to Indonesians or try to work with an NGO promoting U.S and Indonesian future friendly bilateral relations. I wouldn’t have even thought of such dreams before, if it wasn’t for Transparent Language offering such an amazing program. Thank you for helping improve my life!

Congratulations, Kevin! Other linguistically curious individuals can search here for a nearby library that offers free access to Transparent Language Online.