Posted on 08/17/2005 5:22:49 AM PDT by Happy2BMe
BALTIMORE (AP) - Marta Goldstein's laptop glows with a list of troubling words, such as "fuerza contundente," which is Spanish for blunt force, and "salpicadura de sangre," which means blood splatter.
After 25 years as an interpreter, Goldstein still keeps the list handy as she helps during the murder trial of two Mexican men accused of nearly beheading three young children in the city of Baltimore.
The killings highlight problems U.S. authorities face in handling cases involving Spanish speakers, as the country's Hispanic population rapidly increases. Baltimore alone saw a 46 percent increase in its Hispanic population from 1990 to 2000, according to the U.S. Census.
While police have done more to boost the number of Spanish-speaking officers in recent years, critics say more must be done to get interpreters into U.S. courtrooms.
"Courts are ill-equipped to deal with people who don't use English as their first language, and there is an enormous amount of work that the legal profession must do in order to meet the unmet needs of the Latino population," said Doug Colbert, a University of Maryland law professor.
In Florida, which is home to large Spanish-speaking immigrant communities, the state Supreme Court started addressing issues relating to court interpreters in 1991. Now the state hires full-time interpreters.
Goldstein, the interpreter helping in the Baltimore murder trial, said in that city and other parts of the state of Maryland, interpreters are hired only on temporary contracts to work in courts.
An attorney for a nonprofit group that has tried to help the mother of one of the children slain in that case called access to interpreters "pathetic."
The lawyer, Laura Varela, said the parents were confused by the case and needed a court companion to help explain legal issues. Varela said she tried to find a Spanish speaker in the Baltimore state's attorney's office to help, but she was told the office didn't have anyone available.
"There is a problem for the victims of crime, and I think something needs to be done," she said.
In that case, three children were killed while alone in their apartment in May 2004: Ricardo Espinoza, 9, his sister Lucero, 8, and their cousin Alexis Espejo Quezada, 10. The men accused of the killings are relatives _ Policarpio Espinoza, uncle of the dead children, and Adan Canela, a cousin.
The victims' parents have expressed doubts that the two men are the killers. Prosecutor Sharon Holback has aggressively questioned family members, who have appeared reluctant to provide answers.
Language barriers have become significant in the trial as defense attorneys focused on whether the men fully understood their rights during police questioning hours after the bodies were found.
Interpreters have appeared frustrated by long, complicated questions from attorneys, forcing them to ask lawyers to repeat themselves.
Some steps are being taken to address the language challenge.
In 2003, the Baltimore prosecutor's office received a grant to translate brochures on the criminal justice system for the Hispanic and Korean communities. And the Baltimore Police Department now has about 100 Hispanic officers on a force of about 3,000.
The killings highlight problems U.S. authorities face in handling cases involving Spanish speakers, as the country's Hispanic population rapidly increases.Baltimore alone saw a 46 percent increase in its Hispanic population from 1990 to 2000, according to the U.S. Census.
You think we are 'importing' only cheap labor to bring down the cost of chicken at KFC or that salad at Olive Garden?
Our prison and court systems were at the breaking point ten years ago before this incredible flood of illegal aliens was allowed to burst wide open in the past five years.
Where does that leave it now? Five years from now?
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After 25 years as an interpreter, Goldstein still keeps the list handy as she helps during the murder trial of two Mexican men accused of nearly beheading three young children in the city of Baltimore. The killings highlight problems U.S. authorities face in handling cases involving Spanish speakers, as the country's Hispanic population rapidly increases.
To see this post in english, press 1.
Who's trying to make excuses for what?! Spanish has been spoken within our borders for 500 years! California, where I graduated from high school has included college prep Spanish classes in high school curriculum for generations!! In rural southern Indiana I would have no problem finding a Spanish-language interpreter before the close of today's business day. I am feeling sorry for NO Spanish-speaking criminal in the United States.
This should never change - it is a cornerstone of our liberty.
The judicial system is about to go critical mass.
Think about this: If and when federal law prosecuting American citizens who hire illegal aliens is enforced, what impact will that have on the judicial system?
Let me see if I understand: There's a shortage of Spanish speakers. And this is a problem, because of the huge number of Spanish speakers. Is that right?
Let me drill down:
Not being able to speak English puts one at a disadvantage in the US. And so the solution is to teach more people Spanish. Right?
How many courtrooms do we have in this country?
Assimilation works.
Main Entry: 1as·sim·i·late
Pronunciation: &-'si-m&-"lAt
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): -lat·ed; -lat·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Medieval Latin assimilatus, past participle of assimilare, from Latin assimulare to make similar, from ad- + simulare to make similar, simulate
transitive senses
1 a : to take in and appropriate as nourishment : absorb into the system b : to take into the mind and thoroughly comprehend
2 a : to make similar b : to alter by assimilation c : to absorb into the culture or mores of a population or group
Their lengthy trial will cost millions and last for months.
They will be sentenced to prison where their expenses will amount to around $60,000/year,
Until Americans finally realize that scum like this deserve to swing, be shot, electrocuted, or euthanized, this country has no chance.
If the rest of us do awaken....we have a chance.
Begin the deportations now!
"Not being able to speak English puts one at a disadvantage in the US. And so the solution is to teach more people Spanish. Right?"
Exactly!
Remember the "joke": When one speaks 3 languages what is that called: tri-lingual. When one speaks 2 languages what is that called: bi-lingual. When one speaks 1 language what is that called: American.
The left has always been irritated that Americans have stuck to English. I'm 47 and it's been that way all my life.
Screw them. English is the language, it binds us, it gives us a common reference and a common experience. Speak English, or find another place to go. (Speak whatever you like at home, keeping your native tongue isn't bad, as long as you learn English for business and daily life).
"Begin the deportations now!"
=================================
It won't happen sir. There are believed to be more than TWENTY MILLION illegal aliens from Mexico now living in the United States.
There are entire regions in Mexico whose populations have dwindled down to ghost towns because they have moved up here.
Deportation of that many people is impossible and besides that - it would case another Civil War.
The crafters and designers of this social experiment realized all of this when they allowed it to occur in the first place.
This is a planned, designed, and masterfully orchestrated colonization.
Main Entry: col·o·nize
Pronunciation: 'kä-l&-"nIz
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): -nized; -niz·ing
transitive senses
1 a : to establish a colony in or on or of b : to establish in a colony
2 : to send illegal or irregularly qualified voters into <colonizing doubtful districts>
3 : to infiltrate with usually subversive militants for propaganda and strategy reasons <colonize industries>
intransitive senses : to make or establish a colony : SETTLE
- col·o·niz·er noun
That appears to be the only way the United States will be saved.
Why would one want to learn Spanish unless one wants to converse with farm laborers and house-keeping personnel? What other purpose is there for an American to learn Spanish?
No. IN COURT a person is innnocent until proven guilty. Anywhere else, folks are entitled to their opinions, informed or not.
There is another purpose, but it has nothing to do with culture and everything to do with science. However, in this application, Spanish would be the 2nd or 3rd choice but still effective. You won't believe how I used Spanish, and it has nothing to do with "multiculturalism". I grew up with Spanish as a second language, and it was rarely used in everyday situations, but practiced in private. I attended a small public school, that like many small public schools in my area, did not offer Latin. When I began studying for the SAT test and subsequently attending science classes in college, I figured out how useful Latin would have been.
Fortunately, my knowledge of Spanish compensated for my lack of Latin by about 75%. I would estimate it meant about 200 to 300 extra points for me on the SAT, and it was a lifesaver in my scientifically-based coursework in college (it has to do with the whole root-word thing).
I would encourage any parent who wants their child to do well on the SAT to enroll them in either Latin, Spanish, or even Italian language courses, especially if the child will be going into a medical or scientific field, as many of those words are based in Latin.
The entire conversation was conducted in Spanish . .
When I want a really big favor out of Mr. HR (who does not speak Spanish), I ask in Spanish....
yup , the consequences of our[formerly]wonderful USofA getting sucked down the PC rathole
Since the Mexican consulate has its nose into everything else, I don't know why they can't also tackle this.
GWBush is an ABSOLUTE FAILURE on this issue. He has allowed the invasion of America without firing a shot, and is forcing us to pay for it and live with it.
For FY 2006, only 200 have been confirmed.
What does that tell us?
(It's not just the President who is dragging their feet.)
"The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government,
1. The act of invading; the act of encroaching upon the rights or possessions of another; encroachment; trespass.
It tells me that there's LOTS of payoffs goin' on...
BTTT
Gee, will I be entitled to an interpreter when I'm in a Mexican jail??? I DON'T THINK SO!!!!!!!!
Real Estate.
Well only if you are selling houses with a basement, that is where all the 'cousins' will live.
I agree. Let Vicente Fox spread some of that oil wealth around to create new jobs so those citizens will go back home. It's not as if Mexico doesn't have enough money. I read that money sent home by illegals in the U.S. accounts for the #2 highest source of income for Mexico. No wonder Fox printed pamphlets showing people how to crash American borders, yeah, his illegals are cash cows! With so many gone he has fewer people to deal with and tons of money coming in every day. Rosa Rosales (LULAC) spokesperson was wailing about the poor workers who were forced to go back to Mexico (deportees?) and having to "leave their social security money" in the system. Awww, that's just a shame. I want her to show me the names of illegals who paid Social Security and if so, whose names and SS # were they using?
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