Language Not a Barrier in NASCAR

[Harold Schiffman]

Language Not a Barrier in NASCAR The LPGA handed down a new policy today
that all golfers must learn to speak English. Find out from Mary Jo Buchanan
if NASCAR will soon be next!

<http://bleacherreport.com/users/35244-Mary-Jo-Buchanan> *by* Mary Jo
Buchanan <http://bleacherreport.com/users/35244-Mary-Jo-Buchanan>(Columnist)



August 28, 2008
[image: Auto Racing, NASCAR, Juan Pablo Montoya, Motorsports, Joe Gibbs
Racing, Editorial]

Today the LPGA announced a new policy, that all golfers on the tour must
speak English.  Judy Rankin, spokesperson for the LPGA, advised that the
policy was instituted because of the influx of Korean golfers, many of whom
do not speak English at all. Rankin said that this has caused problems
during Pro Am events, when the players need to interact with their
partners.  The tour also needs their golfers to be able to do interviews
with the press. But the issue has been especially problematic when it comes
to the players "schmoozing" their major corporate sponsors.  With the
economy the way it is and sponsorship of all sports in peril, the LPGA
decided that this was a critical problem that needed to be addressed.



Now, Rankin did clarify that "they did not have to be able to recite the
Constitution", but that the non-English speaking golfers at least had to be
able to carry on a passable conversation. Fortunately, the issue of language
has not come up in the NASCAR garage.  Most drivers are "home grown" and can
at least carry on a conversation, sure to meet Ms. Rankin's
criteria. Granted, the sport has some "good old boys" left, who still mix up
their verb tenses and sometimes muddy up the English language.  Just ask
Kenny Wallace, who is constantly correcting his own grammar. And yes, when
Ward Burton was racing, the sport did have to use subtitles to inform the
listeners just what he was saying, between his drawl and mumbling.



But now that NASCAR does have more foreign-born drivers from other countries
due to the influx of the Formula 1 and Indy series drivers, will this become
a problem?   Even with the more globally diverse driver pool, language has
not been an issue.  In fact, most fans have been thoroughly enjoying the
dare we say "sexy" accent of Juan Pablo Montoya or the wonderful "shrimp on
the barby" manner of speaking by Marcos Ambrose.  For many, the fan favorite
is undoubtedly the amazing brogue of Dario Franchitti.



In spite of the continuing exodus from the more global racing leagues to
NASCAR, don't expect the racing powers that be to institute the type of
policy handed down by the LPGA any time soon.  Drivers may need to work on
their interviewing techniques, but for the most part are fluent in the
English language.    Now the test will be if they can recite the
Constitution.

-- http://bleacherreport.com/articles/51907-language-not-a-barrier-in-nascar


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