Texas Senator says speak English …”God Bless Texas”

[Pony Boy]

A Texas senator is in hot water for interrupting a Spanish speaker and telling him he should 'be speaking in English' during a committee hearing. Was the senator right when he asked his guest to speak English?

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During committee testimony this week in Austin, a Texas senator interrupted a Spanish speaker telling him he should "be speaking in English" during a committee hearing.

Antolin Aguirre of the Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition was testifying against Senate Bill 9 that would help crack down on illegal immigrants in Texas. Aguirre spoke through an interpreter even though he had been in the U.S. since 1988.

Two minutes into Antolin Aguirre’s testimony, Sen. Chris Harris, a Republican from Arlington, interrupted asking Aguirre’s interrupter, "Did I understand him correctly that he has been here since 1988?" Harris asked. "Why aren’t you speaking in English then?"

Through his interpreter, Aguirre said Spanish is his "first language and since it is his first time giving testimony he would rather do it in Spanish."

"It is insulting to us," Sen. Harris fired back. "It is very insulting. And if he knows English, he needs to be speaking in English."


http://www.ktrh.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=121300&article=8719378

[Requiem]

(1) America doesn't have an official language.

(2) If he is giving a testimony and his English is not that great, using Spanish makes sense.

(3) I'd expect this from Texas. Burn it to the ground.

[cutthemdown]

Screw that Mexicans always decide they don't speak English anymore when they have to talk to the police or the govt. Its a joke. If you know English speak it, if you don't go the **** back to Mexico.

[cutthemdown]

I've seen it working for my brother 1000 times. When it comes time to talk about how they were drunk driving and ran into someone, and your at a deposition, all the sudden they can't understand a lick of English.

[ant1999e]

I see both sides. The dudes been here since 1988. My youngest was born in 2000 and can speak English. But if his English is weak, I understand why he would rather speak Spanish while giving his testimony. But he should have know that by giving testimony in opposition of an illegal immigration bill in Spanish wouldn't work in his favor.

[Arkie]

Texas doesn't have an official language, but most states have English as the official language.

[Smiling Assassin27]

I see both sides. The dudes been here since 1988. My youngest was born in 2000 and can speak English. But if his English is weak, I understand why he would rather speak Spanish while giving his testimony. But he should have know that by giving testimony in opposition of an illegal immigration bill in Spanish wouldn't work in his favor.


The guy's not obligated to speak English, even if he knows it, IMO. Get the guy a translator and move on. For the record, I've seen this thing occur in California as well, so it ain't just a Texas thing. Until Texans or any other state passes a law requiring English, get off the guy's back. I'd hope the lawmakers could put aside the language barrier and put proper credence in his actual testimony.

[ant1999e]

The guy's not obligated to speak English, even if he knows it, IMO. Get the guy a translator and move on. For the record, I've seen this thing occur in California as well, so it ain't just a Texas thing. Until Texans or any other state passes a law requiring English, get off the guy's back. I'd hope the lawmakers could put aside the language barrier and put proper credence in his actual testimony.

I agree but don't be surprised when you get this type of response.

[Pony Boy]

(1) America doesn't have an official language.

(2) If he is giving a testimony and his English is not that great, using Spanish makes sense.

(3) I'd expect this from Texas. Burn it to the ground.



Spoken like a true neophyte that resides in the world of academia, someday maybe you will understand how the real world works. Let me guess, some professor in PolySci 101 told you that "America doesn't have an official language" and you thought..... wow that is so cool.

[barryr]

So someone who is in some sort of immigration organization does not feel obligated to speak English even though has been in this country for over 20 years? Only in America :oyvey:

[Requiem]

I've known that since middle school civics, most people should. You didn't? That is a shame, but I'm not surprised. You've never given the impression to anyone here that you were well studied or ever had aspirations to further intellectual pursuits. (That is OK, not everyone does!)

Spanish is also spoken by 12-15% of our population. (Cool, huh?)

His ability to articulate his thoughts and discourse on the subject at hand would be better suited in his own language, and then appropriately translated for the Courts. Courts have translators for a reason, and a quality and accurate testimony is appreciated and necessary.

I'm sorry you are too much of a piss face to understand this. You post the stupidest threads and try your hardest to be polarizing, but they always end up blowing up in your face.

And yes, I value education. I'm sorry that you don't. BTW, I'm out of Academia, though would love to get back. Spending the past half year in the corporate realm in legal and financials made me appreciate what I've been missing for a while.

I understand how the real world works, like this situation for example. It is clear you do not.

[sutoazul]

The other senator is right that Sen. Harris has a right to express his opinion on that guy using an interpreter. The people that the senator represent, if they are offended, have a right to be disgusted/dissapointed as well if they choose too. If the guy needs to have a translator to feel more comfortable that's he's right, especially if you are talking to a panel of very important people in your state.

My mom for example, her English is not perfect, after being here since 94, but would never accept a translator at very important meetings or at any occasion, but not everyone is the same way. She would ask in the middle of a sentence how to use a word or a phrase but she would say it herself. My stepdad is the same way when speking spanish, would never accept a translator but would ask 20 times if needed for you to repeat something until he'd gets it.
But that's just my parents, since my mom is a spanish proffesor and my stepdad a student, I guess is easier for them.

[Fedaykin]

I can understand why someone would want to ensure that they could relate their testimony without relying on a language that is not their native tongue.

In my line of work (IT) I've had a lot of colleagues who don't speak English natively and even if they've been in the U.S. for a decade or two their language skills have not progressed to native quality. They are fluent in the mechanics of the language and in the specialized vocabulary of IT, but still struggle with idioms, slang, colloquialisms and other things that generally only native speakers (and only *some* of those even) fully understand.

Unless the guy had a perfect English accent he was never going to be taken seriously by the bigots like this senator anyway -- so it was probably a good idea to make sure that the content of his testimony was as accurate as possible rather than worry about the form.

[Pony Boy]

I've known that since middle school civics, most people should. You didn't? That is a shame, but I'm not surprised. You've never given the impression to anyone here that you were well studied or ever had aspirations to further intellectual pursuits. (That is OK, not everyone does!)

Spanish is also spoken by 12-15% of our population. (Cool, huh?)

His ability to articulate his thoughts and discourse on the subject at hand would be better suited in his own language, and then appropriately translated for the Courts. Courts have translators for a reason, and a quality and accurate testimony is appreciated and necessary.

I'm sorry you are too much of a piss face to understand this. You post the stupidest threads and try your hardest to be polarizing, but they always end up blowing up in your face.

And yes, I value education. I'm sorry that you don't. BTW, I'm out of Academia, though would love to get back. Spending the past half year in the corporate realm in legal and financials made me appreciate what I've been missing for a while. I understand how the real world works, like this situation for example. It is clear you do not.

So leaving some podunk school in SD and spending the past half year in the corporate realm in legal and financials, gave you a complete understanding of how the real world works. Yes, I understand you've set your goals pretty high by planning on moving to Denver and crashing on your friend’s sofa while you look for employment. Who knows by this time next year you might have your own studio apartment......sorry but that’s pretty pathetic.

[bronco militia]

he's been here since 1988 and still hasn't learned to speak english? I'll just chock that up to another stereotype playing itself out.

[TheElusiveKyleOrton]

he's been here since 1988 and still hasn't learned to speak english? I'll just chock that up to another stereotype playing itself out.

Yes, let's all "chock" some things up to some stereotypes, shall we?

http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/chock.html

:thanku:

[bronco militia]

Yes, let's all "chock" some things up to some stereotypes, shall we?

http://public.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/chock.html

:thanku:

my bad

carry on

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSKgUHK1W2AvnW7o9g6LEeJKKuHIyrcD 9v8IFhVWiXX1XKUL1A4rQ&t=1

[alkemical]

hahahaha

[TheElusiveKyleOrton]

my bad

carry on

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSKgUHK1W2AvnW7o9g6LEeJKKuHIyrcD 9v8IFhVWiXX1XKUL1A4rQ&t=1

Hey, if we're "chocking" things up to stereotypes, that goes for you as well.

[bronco militia]

Hey, if we're "chocking" things up to stereotypes, that goes for you as well.

yeah, ironic wasn't it?

I laughed too

[TheElusiveKyleOrton]

yeah, ironic wasn't it?

I laughed too

Good. That was the point.

If you can't laugh at yourself occasionally, life just isn't that much fun.

[bronco militia]

Good. That was the point.

If you can't laugh at yourself occasionally, life just isn't that much fun.

I agree!....wait, we can't do that in the WRP?!?!?!?

[TheElusiveKyleOrton]

I agree!....wait, we can't do that in the WRP?!?!?!?

****, that's a good point.

You cock! Jerkface head! Butt! Douchebag! Cock!

[Bronco Yoda]

We all need to learn more languages in this country. Not only would we be more understand and tolerant, we'd be more competitive as a nation.

Our kids all started learning French and Spanish at an early age. Now we're considering learning Chinese as a family. Not sure which dialect yet. Not sure how I'll do with it but I'm sure the kids will pick it right up.

[TheElusiveKyleOrton]

We all need to learn more languages in this country. Not only would we be more understand and tolerant, we'd be more competitive as a nation.

Our kids all started learning French and Spanish at an early age. Now we're considering learning Chinese as a family. Not sure which dialect yet. Not sure how I'll do with it but I'm sure the kids will pick it right up.

**** THAT ! Why don't they lurrn ar languaj!?

[Bronco Yoda]

:giggle:

[BroncoLifer]

The dudes been here since 1988.

Maybe he's a slow learner?


But he should have know that by giving testimony in opposition of an illegal immigration bill in Spanish wouldn't work in his favor.

I doubt that's he's stupid. He knew what he was doing and choosing to use Spanish was his way of communicating the terms under which he expects to be accepted and accomodated.

[TheElusiveKyleOrton]

Maybe he's a slow learner?




I doubt that's he's stupid. He knew what he was doing and choosing to use Spanish was his way of communicating the terms under which he expects to be accepted and accomodated.

Hmmmm... possibly because they told him there would be an interpreter, and he should prepare to respond in his native tongue? Maybe?

It's not "expecting to be accommodated" if you're told, up front, that you will be accommodated.

[cutthemdown]

I've known that since middle school civics, most people should. You didn't? That is a shame, but I'm not surprised. You've never given the impression to anyone here that you were well studied or ever had aspirations to further intellectual pursuits. (That is OK, not everyone does!)

Spanish is also spoken by 12-15% of our population. (Cool, huh?)

His ability to articulate his thoughts and discourse on the subject at hand would be better suited in his own language, and then appropriately translated for the Courts. Courts have translators for a reason, and a quality and accurate testimony is appreciated and necessary.

I'm sorry you are too much of a piss face to understand this. You post the stupidest threads and try your hardest to be polarizing, but they always end up blowing up in your face.

And yes, I value education. I'm sorry that you don't. BTW, I'm out of Academia, though would love to get back. Spending the past half year in the corporate realm in legal and financials made me appreciate what I've been missing for a while.

I understand how the real world works, like this situation for example. It is clear you do not.

Really because the friends I have that speak spanish are always saying, hmmm hard to say in English, the closest would be etc etc etc. Always saying that the words dont match up exactly, the translation gets lost.

[Bronco Yoda]

This is Texas we're talking about here. You're not even allowed to live there if your IQ is over 100.

[cutthemdown]

This is Texas we're talking about here. You're not even allowed to live there if your IQ is over 100.

You obviously don't know crap about Texas. One of the states that has a lot of everything from top line universities, cow punching towns, oil towns, beach towns. They have one of the top jazz schools in the country and I think also some big time research facilities at the schools etc etc. The truth is I am from California but proud that Texas is one of our states. They do a lot more for the country then most of the piss ant liberal states that is for sure.

[BroncoInferno]

he's been here since 1988 and still hasn't learned to speak english?

It's very difficult to become verbally fluent in a language once an adult, particularly without a formal education in that language. My buddy has lived in Japan for a decade. He can understand perfectly what is being said to him, but his verbal skills are still choppy. My guess is this guy understands what is being said to him fine, but he isn't confident enough in his verbal skills to answer in English in such an important setting. Keep in mind that English is considered one of the harder languages to master because of often contradictory grammar rules, so lacking a formal education in English is a major road block to mastery. But jingoists like Harris don't bother to consider such things.

[elsid13]

You obviously don't know crap about Texas. One of the states that has a lot of everything from top line universities, cow punching towns, oil towns, beach towns. They have one of the top jazz schools in the country and I think also some big time research facilities at the schools etc etc. The truth is I am from California but proud that Texas is one of our states. They do a lot more for the country then most of the piss ant liberal states that is for sure.

What states are you referring too?

[Bronco Yoda]

You obviously don't know crap about Texas. One of the states that has a lot of everything from top line universities, cow punching towns, oil towns, beach towns. They have one of the top jazz schools in the country and I think also some big time research facilities at the schools etc etc. The truth is I am from California but proud that Texas is one of our states. They do a lot more for the country then most of the piss ant liberal states that is for sure.

Ha!

[Fedaykin]

You obviously don't know crap about Texas. One of the states that has a lot of everything from top line universities, cow punching towns, oil towns, beach towns. They have one of the top jazz schools in the country and I think also some big time research facilities at the schools etc etc. The truth is I am from California but proud that Texas is one of our states. They do a lot more for the country then most of the piss ant liberal states that is for sure.

You mean like all those piss ant liberal states that keep all the podunk redneck states afloat financially?

[Spider]

You obviously don't know crap about Texas. One of the states that has a lot of everything from top line universities, cow punching towns, oil towns, beach towns. They have one of the top jazz schools in the country and I think also some big time research facilities at the schools etc etc. The truth is I am from California but proud that Texas is one of our states. They do a lot more for the country then most of the piss ant liberal states that is for sure.

you idiot

[Spider]

look , if they want to speak spanish , let em , but the mother ****ers better speak english when I am ordering food ..... gettin pretty pissed off tryin to say whopper in spanish .. and yes Cutthem down you idiot , it happens more in Texas then anywhere else ....... dont even get me started on whataburger in edinburg texass

[Missouribronc]

That becomes a complete crock when he asks him, "so, can you speak English?" and he responds, "Yes, I speak English," with barely an accent.

Had he responded any other way, I might feel differently, but his perfect grasp of sentence structure, and his lack of actual accent, means he was purposely not speaking English to make a scene.

[Crushaholic]

I'd only be worried about this if the interpreter refuses to speak English...Ha!