NYC cabbies no longer required to speak English

[laughing dog]

Anyone is perfectly free to not go to NYC if this bothers them. Anyone is free to not use a cab in NYC if this bothers them. Apparently, it does not seem to be much of an issue in NYC.

 

[Elixir]

<$.02>
A big part of what is wrong with the American psyche has to do with its monolingualism. People who are multilingual have been shown to be less xenophobic, more empathic and more open-minded. People who speak only one language are relatively fearful and intolerant of people speaking languages they don't understand, and are more likely to promulgate hate against "outsiders". I'm no polyglot, so I'm not trying to position myself above anyone - these things have been pretty well studied.
</$.02>

 

[Don2 (Don1 Revised)]

I take cabs in NYC frequently. I always make sure I say the address (which usually comes down to the corner of two streets) clearly. I've never had an issue with a cabby misunderstanding the address, ever. My main concern is that the driver will take me for an "extended" trip which did happen once or jack up the price, which also happened another time. Also, they drive pretty aggressively, so I've had to find my eyes on the floor a couple of times to put them back in my head.

 

[SimpleDon]

More absurdity from the de Blasio administration:
New York's yellow-cab drivers no longer required to pass English test

A new law that streamlines licensing requirements for different kinds of drivers has done away with the longstanding English proficiency test for taxi drivers, which supporters say will eliminate a barrier to the profession for immigrants, who make up 96% of the 144,000 cabbies in the city.

The fact that 96% of cab drivers are immigrants makes the English requirements much more important, because you can usually assume English proficiency from natives. This is more faux "liberal" lunacy. There is nothing preventing immigrants from learning English well enough to communicate and pass a basic proficiency test. And this "barrier to a profession" nonsense is ridiculous too. If they really wanted to reduce barriers to entry, they'd charge less for medallions and increase their number. But being in a profession where you interact with customers (as well as police etc.) you should have to show English proficiency.

Why is requiring immigrants to learn English such an anathema to "liberals"?

There is no end to the trifles that annoy you.

I am surprised that you support this example of the jackbooted government trying to constrain the free market by requiring proficiency in English. I would have expected you to applaud this example of deregulation.

I just saw Ford's post along the same lines. I will look now for your response. I am sure that it will be well reasoned.

 

[SimpleDon]

This isn't some liberal conspiracy, Derec. This is government getting out of the way and letting "the market decide."

Does NYC allow unrestricted access to Lyft and Uber? The solution is if people don't like it to leave bad reviews and choose a different cab. +1 for NYC on this, but minus points for tons of other dumb rules.

The proper question to ask Derec is if he favors the same requirements for Uber and Lyft drivers?


Is this finally a long sought for example of a job killing regulation that our resident free market enthusiasts have labored now for more than two years to find?

I ask you this in the possibly incorrect assumption that you, by self-describing as a neoliberal, number yourself among the true believers in the existence of the self-regulating free market. Please excuse me if I am wrong in this assumption.

I think so, that it is an undesirable example of regulation, but as I have always maintained it is a local government regulation, and not a federal government regulation that kills jobs. Most of the free market faithful seem to support our inefficient system of tens of thousands of local governments that result in these kinds of problems.

 

[Loren Pechtel]

As long as the Cabbie understands where you want to go, not speaking English should not be a problem. I suppose there are special numbers in case they call the police. However I think English should be compulsory and really it should be a mandatory for foreign people to migrate to work in a country except for specialist jobs which are on a fixed term (renewable) contract.

But if they don't understand English they will have a hard time accurately understanding where you want to go, especially if you need any guidance on getting there.

 

[Malintent]

We all must have a great conversation with the cab driver.It is some kind of law or something.I take a cab a about once a year.Where to? Airport.Have a nice flight.Done.

There are three major airports in NY (and a dozen less major airports). One of the majors is currently undergoing massive updates with huge construction projects.

Which airport are you going to?
What does that sign say about the road being closed?
Which terminal? International or domestic? LGA has 5 terminals... JFK, 7.

I do agree, though, that sufficient English to pass both the written and practical test for the appropriate drivers license is enough English to do the most minimal job possible... like between two fixed points with no special instructions or stops... but what job is that? not NY taxi.

 

[whichphilosophy]

As long as the Cabbie understands where you want to go, not speaking English should not be a problem. I suppose there are special numbers in case they call the police. However I think English should be compulsory and really it should be a mandatory for foreign people to migrate to work in a country except for specialist jobs which are on a fixed term (renewable) contract.

But if they don't understand English they will have a hard time accurately understanding where you want to go, especially if you need any guidance on getting there.

It happens a lot with English speaking cabbies, but of course it is difficult if they don't speak the language and could confuse similar sounding words with each other.

 

[Frikki]

Yes.

You do know that a proficiency test is akin to a fluency test?

Not necessarily.

And which one do they use? TOEFL? Who pays for it and how is it administered?

You do realize that there had been an English requirement in NYC up until now. So while I do not know these details, they have all been figured out. The test was probably a job-specific one and administered by the city's taxi/transportation authorities.
And given that 94% of can driver have been immigrants, having to learn English has not really a "barrier to entry" for immigrant taxi drivers.

I can take you to many shops where people interact with the public and know little English. Somehow the transactions go smoothly.

How little is "little English"?

Well it is written into our constitution: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Freedom of speech means any damn language you want.

None of this is in any way pertinent to a language requirement for a professional licence. And not even supporters of the change said that there was a constitutional issue with requiring English.

Yes, licensed cabbies should know English.

You wrote a lot just to end up agreeing with me.

Requiring all immigrants to learn a language is against our basis principles of freedom.

I think you should have to learn English to become a citizen. Multilingual ballot forms should be scrapped.

But that is an issue for another thread. This one deals primarily with cabbies not having to know any English now.

And immigrants should also follow the laws of the countries where they move, right Derec or is that only for brown people?

 

[Derec]

And immigrants should also follow the laws of the countries where they move, right Derec or is that only for brown people?

Your obsessions are not healthy. I think you need a lap dance or something.