Despite everything that is going down in Arizona concerning Ms. Cabrera, and the English Only issue, the state is bound for a Hispanic majority within a generation, according to Brookings Institute in Washington. Arizona politicians may need to start looking at the people they are working for, and appreciating the Mexican Culture if they want to get elected in the future. Even sell out Hispanic politicians will have to answer to the people who vote. So why does it seem that a more far sighted approach is so slow in coming. Hispanics are probably already on the way to paying the majority of taxes in the state.
Arizona seems to be making a last ditch effort to deny the inevitable, especially with the 2006 English as the official language of the state law, but it is only a matter of time.
Where there’s a lot to be said about having an official language, there’s also a lot to be said about permitting the recognition of established national minorities. A city in Arizona that’s 90% Spanish-speaking, dating back to Spanish colonial times, certainly qualifies as an established Spanish-language minority. Even though Arizona’s sole official language is English, I could see at least recognizing Spanish as co-official for certain purposes in such a place.
Perhaps you and likeminded friends there in St. Francis City might get your Hotoven state representatives meeting up in Ordinance City to pass such a law. You could even get fellow believers from St. James, St. Josewph, St. Louis Bishop, and The Angels to show grassroots suport.
I agree completely. The problem is that governmental agencies and services do not exist all alone. They have to liason and report to county, state and federal entities as well. They have to be available to serve all the citizens. I have no problem with the day to day activities of a majority Spanish speaking area being conducted in Spanish, but I would expect nothing less than perfect fluency from those elected to office.
Spanish would not be instead of English, but in addition to.
I’m uncertain what the relevance of your post is to this thread, anyway. As far as I can tell, the city of San Luis is not attempting to make Spanish an official language.
In theory you may be right, but America has long had ethnic neighborhoods where other languages were spoken, and it continues into the present day. Think about all the Chinatowns where even today there are thousands of people who only speak Chinese. There are still places in New York City where Yiddish is more prevalent than English.
Why not ? Politicians have people to read and answer their mail, organize their schedules and so forth, don’t they ? Some even have people to write their speeches. Besides, the interpreter could be hired at their own expenses, would that make you feel better ?
City councillors? I realize they are busy, but not exactly POTUS, you know? I just don’t think it’s a solution to everything - sometimes you just have to go out and learn a second language/whatever skill your job actually needs you to do.
Besides, in this economy, don’t people want smaller governments? I guess it’s naïve of me, but I kind of prefer encouraging the election of competent officials to government roles, and being able to talk to the people they will encounter in their jobs is kind of is one of those things I consider to be important.
Sure, if that’s what they want to do. You can do whatever you want with your own money, though I wonder, in that case, if the interpreter would be allowed to see/hear everything the councillor would (confidentiality issues and whatnot).
:shrug: I’m perhaps out of my depth in GD, but insomnia and boredom drag me here eventually. I’m a proponent of bilingualism in general and when I feel I have a choice in who to vote for, I consider that a major plus. Any politician that wants to be able to speak for me should be able to do it in both languages and appreciate the linguistic aspects of the culture that I identify with.
In other words, how dare Mrs. Cabrera not speak english like a white person.
Golly gee, conservatives saying we are not allowed to call a racist duck a racist duck unless there is a bloody glove, smoking gun, and literal tearful confession of racism. Surprise surprise.
Maybe not city councillors (although cities often do hire translators, especially cities where more than one language is spoken) but the comment about bringing a team of interpreters was regarding the (prospective) premier of Quebec, which is somewhat of a step higher.
I also think learning new languages is always a good idea, and that it actually isn’t much of an imposition. But you’re certainly aware of the typical anti-bilingualism argument used in Canada: it shouldn’t be necessary where only one language is spoken. I’m not saying I necessarily agree with that, or that you do either, but it’s a very common argument. And, as an example, as pointed out earlier, the little city in Arizona where the events described in the OP happened is 90% Spanish speaking, and must function in English only because Arizona is rather severe in enforcing the use of English as its only official language.
Wait, her English proficiency was assessed by a person from AUSTRALIA? I can’t understand what the hell they’re saying, and I’ve spoken English my entire life.
And why the hell would they even need to have a person assess her English by doing an interview? If I were the town official and wanted to be impartial and fair, I’d use an objective measurement tool like the TOEFL or some other comprehension test, either instead of or in addition to the interview. An rather than having an interview by a random outsider, I’d make it relevant to the job - maybe have her watch a tape of a city council meeting and then ask her comprehension questions about what was discussed at the meeting.