A Peekskill Accent in Spanish

[Harold F. Schiffman]

>>From the New York Times, September 18, 2002

Bilingual Pataki on Education

By RANDAL C. ARCHIBOLD

    Gov. George E. Pataki released two television advertisements on
education yesterday, including one in which the governor speaks in
Spanish.

PRODUCER Chris Mottola

ON THE SCREEN English: A stream of images of schoolchildren, interspersed
with Mr. Pataki.

Spanish: A teacher speaking in a classroom and, briefly, the governor
addressing the camera.

THE SCRIPT English: (Comments by children who say what they want to be
when they grow up are interspersed with the
remarks by the governor.)

Mr. Pataki: "The future of New York belongs to our children. That's why
we've invested more in our schools than ever before. Thousands of new
teachers, more computers, and after-school programs. In New York, you can
be anything."

Girl: "I want to be governor."

Pataki: "Me too."

Group: "Gov. George Pataki, leadership that works."

Boy: "Prouder."

Boy: "Stronger."

Girl: "Better."

Spanish: Teacher: "Governor Pataki cares about children. He's increased
funding for our schools by more than 45 percent. He's increased the number
of teachers, computers, textbooks and after-school programs. Every day
Governor Pataki shows he cares."

Pataki (in Spanish): "The future of New York children begins in the
classroom."

Announcer: "That's Pataki's record. New York. Prouder. Stronger. Better.
Governor Pataki, leadership that works."

ACCURACY Mr. McCall has criticized the governor on education, saying the
Legislature, not Mr. Pataki, deserves credit for increased spending.
Things can be murky in Albany. The Legislature typically fights to
increase the education outlay the governor first proposes. They compromise
and both sides claim victory. Mr.  McCall also said much of the computer
money actually came from Washington.

SCORECARD Mr. Pataki has put forth an image of a nonpolitical politician
in a state where Democratic registration has been increasing. His Spanish
ad is less captivating, though Spanish speakers may be entertained by the
Peekskill accent.