language to use?

[zerocookie]

What is the name of your state? California

I am divorced (divorced in California). Ex-wife and I have joint legal and physical custody of our son 10 years old. I am remarried. My ex-wife uses German to conveys to me information regarding issues regarding my son because she feels like talking or emailing in German (she majored in German). She was born and raised in the USA. I do understand German, but I asked her to use English to convey any information regarding our son school, health, etc. My ex-wife refused to use English and continues to use German. English is the official language in California. I want her to use English because when she is using German, it creates major tension and discomfort between me and my newly wed wife. Is there any law that prohibits my ex-wife to use German when conveying information information to me about my son's health, school, etc..?

Thank you

 

[Pfaffing85690]

Dass weiss ich nichts. Aber Sir konnen Ihre ex-Frau beseachen nomal kein Deutsch zu Nutzen und Wenn Sie weiter gehts, ein 'motion to amend' file

 

[stealth2]

Oh for heaven't sake, of all the petty things. Let me guess - your current wife thinks she's telling you things that you don't want her to know about.

Do you get the information you need about the kid? Then don't worry about the rest. And buy your wife a German-English dictionary.

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

What is the name of your state? California

I am divorced (divorced in California). Ex-wife and I have joint legal and physical custody of our son 10 years old. I am remarried. My ex-wife uses German to conveys to me information regarding issues regarding my son because she feels like talking or emailing in German (she majored in German). She was born and raised in the USA. I do understand German, but I asked her to use English to convey any information regarding our son school, health, etc. My ex-wife refused to use English and continues to use German. English is the official language in California. I want her to use English because when she is using German, it creates major tension and discomfort between me and my newly wed wife. Is there any law that prohibits my ex-wife to use German when conveying information information to me about my son's health, school, etc..?

Thank you

My response:

You said, "English is the official language in California." Where did you get that idea? Please point me to the law that backs up your statement.

As for which language to use, you can't force your ex-wife to use English. She has the right to use any understandable form of communication she chooses.

Your new wife's angst is her problem, and of no concern to your ex-wife. As a matter of fact, your new wife has no business even being in this equation. Marriage to you gives her no rights or special privileges. So, tell your new wife to "get past it".

IAAL

 

[nextwife]

Of course, if you neither speak nor understand German, perhaps you could make a point that she is skirting the law about "communicating information about your child" by doing so in a way that she knows continues to keep you clueless. ARE you clueless about German?

 

[Pfaffing85690]

I do understand German, but I asked her to use English

Er spricht Deutsch

 

[stealth2]

Of course, if you neither speak nor understand German, perhaps you could make a point that she is skirting the law about "communicating information about your child" by doing so in a way that she knows continues to keep you clueless. ARE you clueless about German?

He already said "I do understand German". The problem is his current wife having an issue with the ex using German.

 

[Pfaffing85690]

He already said "I do understand German". The problem is his current wife having an issue with the ex using German.

Dass hab ich Schon GeSagt!!!

 

[nextwife]

Gracias! Missed that line somehow.

 

[stealth2]

Nezashto. I do it myself.

 

[zerocookie]

Ok English is not the "official language" in California...so tell me what is the official language in California ???

To illustrate:

If individual 1 took 2 years of Russian in high school, does that mean that now indivudual 2 (a russian citizen, permanent resident in the USA) can write to individual 1 in Russian, convey legal information in russian...and let individual 1 deal with it (maybe pay for translation?)..and what if individual 1 does not clearly understand or is NOT FLUENT in russian?..

I said I understand german..it does not mean I am fluent in german..

So there is no law that prohibits individual 1 to carry legal information in another language to individual 2..even if individual 2 is NOT FLUENT in this other language??.

That would be very surprising...

 

[stealth2]

So now the problem is not that your current wife has a problem, but you don't really understand German that well? Or is it that you've realized that it's a better explanation than the previous?

Do you understand German or not? Which is the truthful statement?

And I'd think an attorney in CA would know if there's an official language or not. Don't you?

 

[zerocookie]

there is a difference between being fluent and understanding. let's assume you took French in high school. If I say "je t'aime", you will probably understand " I love you" . If I say " je trouve que l'utilisation d'une aile volante dans la perspective d'ameliorer les conditions dans lesquelles un vol de longue duree est effectue n'est pas la meilleure des solutions"...it would be a little bit more complicated to understand and would require you to be probably FLUENT. Do you understand clearly without any doubt all the information carried in this sentence without using a dictionary, spending time translating, using a translator, pay for his services?..so that there would be no mistake about the idea carried in this sentence??

I doubt it....

(By the wayI am FLUENT in French, not in German.)

I am not fluent in German..but who cares if some information is not correctly conveyed..right?

Please tell me what is the official language in California?..If there is none, please let me know...I am curious..just for my information

 

[zerocookie]

My wife has also a problem with my ex speaking in german...but who cares about disturbing my current married life..right?

There are two issues here..

 

[zerocookie]

For your information (read section 6 (b) of the California Constitution) and explain to me what it means??

CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE 3 STATE OF CALIFORNIA


SEC. 6. (a) Purpose.
English is the common language of the people of the United States
of America and the State of California. This section is intended to
preserve, protect and strengthen the English language, and not to
supersede any of the rights guaranteed to the people by this
Constitution.
(b) English as the Official Language of California.
English is the official language of the State of California.
(c) Enforcement.
The Legislature shall enforce this section by appropriate
legislation. The Legislature and officials of the State of
California shall take all steps necessary to insure that the role of
English as the common language of the State of California is
preserved and enhanced. The Legislature shall make no law which
diminishes or ignores the role of English as the common language of
the State of California.
(d) Personal Right of Action and Jurisdiction of Courts.
Any person who is a resident of or doing business in the State of
California shall have standing to sue the State of California to
enforce this section, and the Courts of record of the State of
California shall have jurisdiction to hear cases brought to enforce
this section. The Legislature may provide reasonable and appropriate
limitations on the time and manner of suits brought under this
section.