A Pointee-Talkee is a prepared military language aid that pairs selectable phrases in the user's language with their foreign-language equivalents. During an actual encounter, isolated personnel can convey a printed statement by pointing. Versions with a matching reply section also support communication in the reverse direction.
Written phrases and pronunciation
One US format uses three columns: the English phrase is on the left, the same statement in the foreign language is in the middle, and a phonetic rendering is on the right. The bearer selects the meaning in their own language; the other person reads its corresponding foreign-language version.
The written method requires the other person to read the language and script used. The phonetic column supports an attempt to pronounce the selected phrase. Drawings and signs can supplement particular parts of the message.
Prepared questions and replies
An earlier US edition for Southeast Asia places questions in English and the target language in a left-hand question section. The right-hand reply section presents answers in the reverse language order: target language and English. An introductory text explains the method so that the other person can point to a prepared reply and the bearer can read its English equivalent.
The topic section and corresponding text fields establish which question a reply refers to. Some questions offer a separate “I don't know” answer alongside “Yes” and “No”, allowing the other person to indicate that they lack the information.
Language versions and military preparation
This US regional booklet has separate sections for French, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Lao. English remains the bearer's language and the language of the translated replies throughout. Earlier US Marine Corps terminology also uses the name Pointie Talkie for the aid.
US language aids tailored to a theatre’s personnel recovery requirements can also include messages addressed to the isolated person. Instructions and information are prepared with equivalents in the bearer's language; the message then passes from the other person to the isolated person.
Distinction from a blood chit
A US blood chit conveys a multilingual undertaking by the US Government to reward people who assist the bearer to safety. It is a controlled official item representing a government obligation. A Pointee-Talkee instead pairs particular statements and replies across languages. The earlier US regional booklet also contains a reward phrase; there it forms part of the prepared language material.