This is an interesting controversy. Tim James, candidate for Alabama Governor, has released a TV commercial calling for English-only driver tests. Currently they are given in 12 languages, and he says they should only be given in English. Watch the TV ad, and then I'll discuss it a bit.
If the player doesn't work, try this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9ohsvJHkbY
Reactions are split on this one. Many say that this is racist and offer a bevy of reasons why. Personally, I tend to agree with him. If you want to drive in this state, you should speak and read English.
My reasoning is simple. All of the road signs are in English. If you can't read those signs, it could cause problems. When you are pulled over by an officer, he will most likely will be able to speak only English. If there is road work going on and there are special signs posted and/or a flag-man directing traffic, or maybe even just a power outage and police officers directing traffic, the language used will be English.
My point is that ALL of the communications associated with driving will be in English. That being the case, isn't it reasonable for drivers on our public roads to be fluent in that language?
Yes, the issue is an easy one to politicize and make a big fuss over. But when you come right down to it, it's just not that unreasonable. If the state of Alabama can, in the name of traffic safety, require us to wear seat belts and have automobile insurance, then there is no reason why they can't ALSO require drivers to understand English.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
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This is an odd deal. Alabama has a significant number of out-of-country professors who teach at various universities in the state. All of these guys depend on a basic knowledge of English to teach...but it's probably not enough to pass a driver's test. In most countries where Americans go to and work...they offer their driver's test in English. So I'd rather not see this change.
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