• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Driver ticketed for driving without being able to speak English.

#41
Also, if anyone cares, for the record. It is my opinion that you can learn another language and still preserve your cultural identity and heritage.

Still with all that said, I'm of the sentiment that she should be dinged for the other infractions, the not speaking English thing should be dropped (rookie mistake), and her mom should stop relying on her daughter for translations and start learning English for her own benefit.
 
#43
Eric Perry said:
It's still not a native language to THIS country, and was perpetuated by an infinite number of illegals deciding to crash the party with complete disregard for the country's rules and laws.
Click to expand...

Maybe not, but I'm certain the language was in use in this area before english was. By that logic we should all be speaking some sort of Native American dialect.
 
#50
elgecko said:
No one's mentioned the possibility that she was faking not being able to speak English. It wouldn't be the first time someone's pretended to not speak the prevailing language in attempt to get out of an undesirable situation.
Click to expand...

Regardless, she made an illegal U-turn and was driving without her license, which are both ticketable offences. The fact that she doesnt speak english can't get her out of that.
 
#52
Eric Perry said:
Eh, I'm fine being in the minority here, as I expected. my beliefs stand, however. :D
Click to expand...

I'm with you on this one.

What bugs me more though is that this cop basically gave her a get out of jail free card because of this. There's no way any of those infractions will hold up now.

I have my fingers crossed that this really was just a rookie mistake, and that this guy isn't going to be running around on the force for 20+ years with zero common sense.
 
#54
This wasn't a "rookie mistake", according to what I have heard about this story(CNN), there are 35 or so other cases that have the same "offense". So it's not really the rookie's fault he was taught an improper translation of an existing law that states that you have to be able to speak english in order to recieve a commercial drivers licence. Apparently several other officers had been issuing the same charge.


Also all of the other cases have now been dropped and their fines are going to be returned to them.
 
#55
35 cases in 30 or more years really isn't that bad. It's a federal offense to be a CDL driver and not speak fluent English, so those other offenses were probably guys who made the same mistake, because that happens to be on their list of offenses.
 
#58
Eric Perry said:
It's still not a native language to THIS country, and was perpetuated by an infinite number of illegals deciding to crash the party with complete disregard for the country's rules and laws.
Click to expand...

Spanish actually is native, from some 200 to 400 years ago, to large parts of the US. You can see it reflected in the names of cities and geographical points in the South and Southwest.
 
#59
Bob Lee (QSC) said:
Spanish actually is native, from some 200 to 400 years ago, to large parts of the US. You can see it reflected in the names of cities and geographical points in the South and Southwest.
Click to expand...

Native geographically, yes. English has always been the official language of the US though.

Interesting fact: German was actually the runner up for being the official language of the US.
 
#60
I don't think it is right that she is even able to apply for her fees back. The officers mistake in no way negates the illegality of what she did. Potentially makes him look bad, yes. Potentially hurts her feelings, maybe. Giver her the right to get out of paying for what she did wrong? Heck no.

And I'm just going to say that if you're here, the mainstream societal norm for communication is English. What you do on your own time doesn't matter, but if you're in public you should be able to talk to anyone in English. Especially after 30 years. I would expect the same in any other country that I visted/lived in. Just because the US doesn't have an official language or that because we are founded by immigrants doesn't make today's reality any different.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back