. >> with my background in pashto, there were many times that i would know instantly that he wasn't communicating what i had just said. >> reporter: this sergeant says there are plenty of good translators, but still, too many bad ones. >> people who claim to speak the language don't, and when things get a little bit complicated, they're not able to communicate effectively with the locals and get the information that we need. >> reporter: and some afghan officials say they are just as disgusted with the army's translators. >> it's a combination of misunderstanding, lack of understanding, not enough command of the language and also not enough information about the regions that they operate in. and i think the recruitment process has to fix those probably. >> reporter: most of the army's afghan translators, though not the one of the british tape, are recruited by one u.s. company, called mission essential personnel, based in columbus, ohio and suburban washington. >> you can do something for your country. >> reporter: the company runs tv ads to recruit translators. under an army contract worth up to