Aspirants set for Spanish TV debut
Miami, Sept. 10: In a dramatic sign of fast-changing US society’s makeup, eight Democratic presidential hopefuls are set to take part in the first televised Spanish-language
debate on Sunday to court Hispanics, the largest US minority group. The
candidates — two of whom are fluent Spanish speakers — are not expected to answer questions in Spanish but their responses will be simultaneously translated for the live broadcast on the Univision network. "The candidates will be
speaking to the fastest-growing segment of American society. It’s a sign of respect," said Univision anchor Maria Elena Salinas, who will co-moderate the debate along with colleague Jorge Ramos. New Mexico governor Bill Richardson, who is running to become the first Hispanic-American in the White House, and Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd, both fluent Spanish speakers, have been told they can only answer in English during the debate to "level the playing field," a Univision spokesperson said. Ms Salinas and Mr Ramos will ask questions in Spanish, and the candidates, wearing UN-style earpieces, will hear a translation in English. Minor time delays are expected as their responses are translated into Spanish by a single translator, while the audience at the University of Miami can wear headsets to hear the debate in either language. English-speaking television viewers at home can follow the debate by reading closed captions, typically used for the hearing impaired. Observers admitted that the rule may be difficult to enforce as the candidates aim to show how well they can connect with the 16 million Hispanic voters eligible to cast ballots in 2008’s election. "It’s live television. Is somebody going to run over and tackle Mr Richardson and Mr Dodd if they start speaking Spanish?" asked Alan Schroeder, a journalism professor at Northeastern University. Mr Richardson’s spokesperson Pahl Shipley called the rule "kind of ridiculous." "Why the candidates who do speak Spanish should be penalised is fairly frustrating." (AFP)
Source: The Asian Age
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