Candidate for Alabama governor Tim James is running ads proclaiming that if he is elected, Alabama will no longer give driver's license exams in any language but English.
"This is Alabama. We speak English," he says in the ad while questioning why the exam is currently given in a dozen different languages. "If you want to live here, learn it. We're only giving that test in English if I'm governor."
Drivers license exams are currently offered in Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese."
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpps/ne...a-we-speak-english-dpgoha-20100428-fc_7281262
While I certainly believe anyone who comes to the US as a long term visitor or resident needs to learn English and use it in daily life (just as I think anyone who goes anywhere for an extended period of time should learn that place's language), I find this a very extreme and unnecessary issue.
The grammatical nuances of the written exam are hard for people who have only ever spoken English. Since one must pass an actual driving test to get a license, I find no safety issue with taking the written exam in a different language - especially since most important traffic signs are graphic. If safety is the real concern, why is he not banning texting and retesting elderly drivers instead of focusing on this language issue?
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SoWal Insider
Candidate for Alabama governor Tim James is running ads proclaiming that if he is elected, Alabama will no longer give driver's license exams in any language but English.
"This is Alabama. We speak English," he says in the ad while questioning why the exam is currently given in a dozen different languages. "If you want to live here, learn it. We're only giving that test in English if I'm governor."
Drivers license exams are currently offered in Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese."
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpps/ne...a-we-speak-english-dpgoha-20100428-fc_7281262
While I certainly believe anyone who comes to the US as a long term visitor or resident needs to learn English and use it in daily life (just as I think anyone who goes anywhere for an extended period of time should learn that place's language), I find this a very extreme and unnecessary issue.
The grammatical nuances of the written exam are hard for people who have only ever spoken English. Since one must pass an actual driving test to get a license, I find no safety issue with taking the written exam in a different language - especially since most important traffic signs are graphic. If safety is the real concern, why is he not banning texting and retesting elderly drivers instead of focusing on this language issue?
I don't know what part of Alabama he is from, but I'm from LA and they don't speak English either.;-)
SoWal Guide
oh, this makes me want to spit fire!
but instead, I'm going to just laugh at Aleo's response! ha ha hahahaha!!! when did you get to be such the comedian? that is perfecto!
but instead, I'm going to just laugh at Aleo's response! ha ha hahahaha!!! when did you get to be such the comedian? that is perfecto!
Edited
SoWal Insider
Drivers license exams are currently offered in Arabic, Chinese, English, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Thai and Vietnamese."
That just about covers the globe.
That just about covers the globe.
SoWal Insider
oh, this makes me want to spit fire!
but instead, I'm going to just laugh at Aleo's response! ha ha hahahaha!!! when did you get to be such the comedian? that is perfecto!
It's true
Half the people I grew up with talk like Dale from King of the Hill.I don't know what's gotten into me this week. Probably a good case of crazy on top of the old one.
Beach Fanatic
Candidate for Alabama governor Tim James is running ads proclaiming that if he is elected, Alabama will no longer give driver's license exams in any language but English.
How is that going to fix anything? After all, they will still be required to pay people to read the English to the Bred/Born Bamers' since most of them can't read.....
How is that going to fix anything? After all, they will still be required to pay people to read the English to the Bred/Born Bamers' since most of them can't read.....
SoWal Guide
I don't know what's gotten into me this week. Probably a good case of crazy on top of the old one.
oh girl, I'm from Alabama! I know the talk. its hard to learn to talk like 'at. I never did learn it good. but I can understand most of it.
Beach Fanatic
I always liked it when the South Alabama folks would be going somewhere and ask, "Whose car are we going on?"
SoWal Insider
Um, miznotebook, I think it's Lower Alabama as opposed to S. AL.
Skunky
The state motto is Audemus Jura Nostra Defendere which smacks of some pointy head European socialist dialect.
Furthermore, English just might be a second language in Alabama 'cause they sure are having a problem with the subject in their schools.
In Alabama, the ACT results aren't any better. By the same test, only 16 percent of the state's 2009 graduates were prepared for college-level work in math, science, English and social studies.
EDITORIAL: Behind the test results: ACT scores aren't kind | Education & Training > Education Systems & Institutions from AllBusiness.com
Sadly, this Bubba boob bait will work.:roll:
Furthermore, English just might be a second language in Alabama 'cause they sure are having a problem with the subject in their schools.
In Alabama, the ACT results aren't any better. By the same test, only 16 percent of the state's 2009 graduates were prepared for college-level work in math, science, English and social studies.
EDITORIAL: Behind the test results: ACT scores aren't kind | Education & Training > Education Systems & Institutions from AllBusiness.com
Sadly, this Bubba boob bait will work.:roll:
Beach Fanatic
Candidate for Alabama governor Tim James is running ads proclaiming that if he is elected, Alabama will no longer give driver's license exams in any language but English.And you say you're from Arkansas?
How is that going to fix anything? After all, they will still be required to pay people to read the English to the Bred/Born Bamers' since most of them can't read.....
Beach Fanatic
Um, miznotebook, I think it's Lower Alabama as opposed to S. AL.
Does that mean that we are Upper Florida? I think that could catch on!
LA is a great way of referring to South Alabama, and if the latter has become a no-no, I apologize. I did grow up in Alabama, but lots has changed since we moved to Florida.
SoWal Expert
The state motto is Audemus Jura Nostra Defendere which smacks of some pointy head European socialist dialect.
Furthermore, English just might be a second language in Alabama 'cause they sure are having a problem with the subject in their schools.
In Alabama, the ACT results aren't any better. By the same test, only 16 percent of the state's 2009 graduates were prepared for college-level work in math, science, English and social studies.
EDITORIAL: Behind the test results: ACT scores aren't kind | Education & Training > Education Systems & Institutions from AllBusiness.com
Sadly, this Bubba boob bait will work.:roll:
"Bubba Bait" describes most of the political fear-mongering from the right- thanks for coming up with this very accurate and descriptive term for it!
needs to get out more
Just think, if this clown is elected, he'll be running around DC as the face of AL.
Beach Fanatic
If all the road signs are in the form of pictograms, why give a test in a language at all? Driver's license tests are a joke at best, just another way for the man to hold a brother down, while making him pay.
If they wanted to make a real driving test, they should have people try to text accurately while navigating an obstacle course.
If they wanted to make a real driving test, they should have people try to text accurately while navigating an obstacle course.
Beach Fanatic
The state motto is Audemus Jura Nostra Defendere which smacks of some pointy head European socialist dialect.
Furthermore, English just might be a second language in Alabama 'cause they sure are having a problem with the subject in their schools.
In Alabama, the ACT results aren't any better. By the same test, only 16 percent of the state's 2009 graduates were prepared for college-level work in math, science, English and social studies.
EDITORIAL: Behind the test results: ACT scores aren't kind | Education & Training > Education Systems & Institutions from AllBusiness.com
Sadly, this Bubba boob bait will work.:roll:
I guess they will have to change that to English:
Translated: Bubba Is as Bubba Does......
SoWal Guide
I always liked it when the South Alabama folks would be going somewhere and ask, "Whose car are we going on?"
Lower Alabama = Florida Panhandle. we ARE lower Alabamer. and its fairly accurate, imo. that's why I moved from Gainesville to the Panhandle because I missed my southern/alabama culture (the good parts- and there are many good parts) but wanted to remain in Florida on the Gulf. LA is a very good place to be!
Beach Fanatic
It was explained to me that LA referred to our area of FL north of the bay. Where can we get this all clarified?
Darlene is my middle name, not my nickname
He is a freakin' racist and I am insulted that he lives in my State. 
p.s. Jesse's highest score on his ACT was in English.
p.s. Jesse's highest score on his ACT was in English.
Edited
SoWal Insider
It was explained to me that LA referred to our area of FL north of the bay. Where can we get this all clarified?
LA is lower Alabama, north of the bay is still Florida, as we are all considered northwest Fla here.
SoWal Insider
Does that mean that we are Upper Florida? I think that could catch on!
LA is a great way of referring to South Alabama, and if the latter has become a no-no, I apologize. I did grow up in Alabama, but lots has changed since we moved to Florida.
South Alabama and LA are synonymous. I grew up on the LA/Fla line and it's not a no-no in any way.
You were correct to call it SA.Beach Fanatic
Ha. I know that Lower Alabama literally means southern AL and that Florida is a whole other state. I'm talking about the bumper sticker usage of LA.
Folks playfully refer to this part of FL as Lower Alabama much like they've used the unflattering term "redneck riviera".
With that in mind- is all of the panhandle LA or just north of the bay?
Folks playfully refer to this part of FL as Lower Alabama much like they've used the unflattering term "redneck riviera".
With that in mind- is all of the panhandle LA or just north of the bay?
Beach Fanatic
I guess the positive spin you could put on it is that even though Bama is 47th or 48th in comparative educational standards in the U.S., at least he IS putting an emphasis on learning?
SoWal Guide
It was explained to me that LA referred to our area of FL north of the bay. Where can we get this all clarified?
maybe people have different definitions on LA, but I have always known LA to mean Panhandle of Florida - mostly from tallahassee to Pensacola. It doesn't even refer to Alabama at all. Just Florida Panhandle. In other words, the Panhandle isn't really part of Florida since it is such an extension of Alabama in many ways. Even the rest of Florida knows little about the Panhandle.
I am not bothered by being in LA at all! South Alabama is just that - the southern portion of the State of Alabama. Lower Alabama is located in Northwest Florida/Panhandle. its quite simple!
Beach Fanatic
LA refers to the portion of FL which is below AL. It got the name after AL Governor George Wallace tried to claim it as part of Alabama.
SoWal Insider
maybe people have different definitions on LA, but I have always known LA to mean Panhandle of Florida - mostly from tallahassee to Pensacola. It doesn't even refer to Alabama at all. Just Florida Panhandle. In other words, the Panhandle isn't really part of Florida since it is such an extension of Alabama in many ways. Even the rest of Florida knows little about the Panhandle.
I am not bothered by being in LA at all! South Alabama is just that - the southern portion of the State of Alabama. Lower Alabama is located in Northwest Florida/Panhandle. its quite simple!
That is way too simple and correct. Now, please translate that into Spanish, German, Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese, etc. and we can please make this thread a little more complex, and most important, politically correct.
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