Joel,
Thanks for the information.
It would be interesting to know why the complainants are upset.
-
Bill N3LLR
From: Joel Harrison
[mailto:w5zn@arrl.org]
Sent: Sunday, August 05, 2007 9:59 PM
To: arrl-odv
Subject: Spanish Language Exams
I started
receiving emails today complaining about ARRL’s “push” to
establish Spanish language Amateur Radio exams. The emails are apparently being
generated from a W5YI story as well as a spot in the ARRL Letter about a motion
ARRL made at the recent NCVEC meeting.
Here’s
a bit of history and info for use in responding to any members that may
inquire.
FCC
amateur radio exams have been available in Spanish since before the creation of
the VEC program, back when the FCC administered all the exams. Remember that
the FCC regulates amateur radio (and other radio services as well) in Puerto
Rico where Spanish is an official language and only a minority of the citizens
are fluent in English.
The
only current issue, and the purpose of ARRL’s NCVEC motion, is whether
there should be a single, standard version of the Spanish question pool (there
currently isn’t), or whether the longstanding practice of allowing any
translation done by any VE team or VECs should be continued. We believe there
should be one standard and only one translation.
It’s
beyond me how our attempt at tightening the program by having one standard and
one single translation based on the current English version is being
misinterpreted as a “push” by ARRL to permit Spanish language exams
when in fact they have been in existence for decades predating the VEC system.
Of course, the current feelings over immigration certainly fuel a fire
regarding anything Spanish these days.
73
Joel W5ZN