Friday, April 3, 2009

Hooray For The State of Georgia

There is an article in today's St Pete Times titled "Ga. wants drivers to speak English". It says that the Ga legislature is considering a bill that would require new drivers to take a written test in English without a translator or other aid.

Some employers and immigrant advocates worry that it would keep people unfamiliar with the language from being able to work.

I say, if you want to live and work in the United States - learn the language!

I could not go to Mexico or France or Italy and live and work without knowing their language so why shouldn't people coming here be required to learn English?

I applaud the state of Georgia. I hope the bill passes.

3 comments:

Wendy said...

I AGREE

Dave said...

Got to part company with you on this one. You and I could indeed live in Europe and work - many people there are bi- and tri-lingual. They've spent centuries rubbing against each other. Would I try to learn the language where I live? Yes, and most immigrants here do the same. Until they do, do we deny them the means to drive to earn a living? Can we not drive a car while on vacation anywhere in the world without speaking the local language? Yep.

English only is xenophobic to my mind. Again, sorry; but, I think you've got this one wrong.

Sonja's Mom said...

Dave -
I understand what your saying but we have to start sonewhere. I am really tired of going into a store, gas station, etc., and not being able to understand a thing the clerk is saying - and then feeling like it is my fault and being emaarrased that I have to ask them to repeat themselves.

You want to work here - learn the language.