Canada's immigration policy.

CANADIEN · May 28, 2009

That's a possibility. But, given that his biases are so well formed and his twisting of language to suit them is so consistent, I doubt it's a misunderstanding of English that has led to his bigotry, but rather it's his bigotry that needs manipulated English in order to survive.

I have no doubt that his bigotry does not originate from his language skills. On the other end, considering that he has (among other things) "accused me" in turn of being French, of not being a French-speaker, of hating English-speakers,and of betraying the French culture, you have to wonder about his understanding of his own postings.

Edited May 28, 2009 by CANADIEN

benny · May 28, 2009

Hmmm... I'm not sure about that. But I do believe many do believe in their civilizing mission, to spread their language around the world to civilize the ignorant savages who can be saved through a knowledge of the English language. Imperialism is alive and well through language hegemony. I think you'd be impressed with Robert Phillipson's 'Linguistic Imperialism'.

I think this imperialism hides something deeper. English persons (much like French persons for that matter) immigrating to Canada were too often pushed here involuntarily in an attempt to escape misery at home. From there, they may be unable to express directly a taste for revenge.

Jerry J. Fortin · May 28, 2009

I think this imperialism hides something deeper. English persons (much like French persons for that matter) immigrating to Canada were too often pushed here involuntarily in an attempt to escape misery at home. From there, they may be unable to express directly a taste for revenge.

Much colonization was conducted by "black sheep" that is true.

Wild Bill · May 28, 2009

I have no doubt that his bigotry does not originate from his language skills. On the other end, considering that he has (among other things) "accused me" in turn of being French, of not being a French-speaker, of hating English-speakers,and of betraying the French culture, you have to wonder about his understanding of his own postings.

I suspect that "His mother was a hamster and his father smelled of elderberries!"

I taunt him!

Excuse me. I feel the need to go for a "silly walk".

benny · May 28, 2009

Much colonization was conducted by "black sheep" that is true.

To illustrate a bit: after wars in Europe, British demilitarized soldiers were pushed in New World British colonies.

Argus · May 28, 2009

All to the contrary, if some Canadians are happy with no communication skills, it is mostly due, I would guess, because they earn too easily too much money by overexploiting nature.

Should YOU be talking about poor communications skills?

I think sometimes you must be Oleg's younger sibling.

Argus · May 28, 2009

I think ou're missing something here. I'm not much of a fan of Official Bilingualism, at least as it's currently defined, myself. However, I also believe that in spite of my beliefs, most Canadians do support it. If they wouldn't, I'm sure it would have disappeared long ago.

Most Canadians have no idea what official bilingualism is or what it's about. If you asked, they'd say it was about French people being able to get service from the government in French and English people being able to get services from the government in English.

That of course, has very little to do with Official Languages, which is designed almost exclusively for the promotion of the French language, and French (read Quebe) political power.

The political elites favour it, because the political elites spend much of their time falling all over themselves sucking up to the French vote. And the media elites love anything which seems to appeal to a liberalistic fairness notion of bending over backwards in favour of a minority.

Argus · May 28, 2009

Give him a break; he's still working on becoming unilingual.

How about frogs? Would that suit you guys better as a short form for "French Canadians"?

benny · May 28, 2009

Should YOU be talking about poor communications skills?
I think sometimes you must be Oleg's younger sibling.

About talking of your poor comprehension skills!?

Machjo · May 28, 2009

Most Canadians have no idea what official bilingualism is or what it's about. If you asked, they'd say it was about French people being able to get service from the government in French and English people being able to get services from the government in English.
That of course, has very little to do with Official Languages, which is designed almost exclusively for the promotion of the French language, and French (read Quebe) political power.

The political elites favour it, because the political elites spend much of their time falling all over themselves sucking up to the French vote. And the media elites love anything which seems to appeal to a liberalistic fairness notion of bending over backwards in favour of a minority.

I acknowledge that the development and adoption of Official Bilignualism is an act of pure political expediency in an attempt to bribe Quebec to stay in Canada. It's success in that respect is hard to measure, though I'm guessing the results are likley mixed, with Official Bilingualism having baught some Sovereigntists to the federalist camp, though obviously not all.

Personally though, I'm revulted by language policies based on purely political considerations, with little to no thought put into the question of how efficiently it will improve communicability at the grassroots. By the way, a few scholarly publications I've read acknowledge the purely political motivation behind it.

Also, my statement that most Canadians probably support it in no way implies that they necessarily know what they are supporting, other than a well-marketted 'Canadian identity'.

benny · May 29, 2009

Also, my statement that most Canadians probably support it in no way implies that they necessarily know what they are supporting, other than a well-marketted 'Canadian identity'.

All Canadian taxpayers should know that not everything in life can be bought.

Edited May 29, 2009 by benny

g_bambino · May 29, 2009

How about frogs? Would that suit you guys better as a short form for "French Canadians"?

No, that term was coined as a bigoted epithet for the French, not Franco-Canadians. You need something more local.

benny · May 29, 2009

No, that term was coined as a bigoted epithet for the French, not Franco-Canadians. You need something more local.

Quebecers

CANADIEN · May 29, 2009

Most Canadians have no idea what official bilingualism is or what it's about. If you asked, they'd say it was about French people being able to get service from the government in French and English people being able to get services from the government in English.

And guess what, it is primarily what it is about, along with equality of status for our two nationak languages.

That of course, has very little to do with Official Languages, which is designed almost exclusively for the promotion of the French language, and French (read Quebe) political power.
The political elites favour it, because the political elites spend much of their time falling all over themselves sucking up to the French vote.

Thanks for reminding us that French citizenship comes with a right to vote in Canadian elections.

benny · May 29, 2009

Attacking French Canadians on a thread on immigration makes me anticipate that someone will propose their emigration/deportation towards France.

Argus · May 30, 2009

And guess what, it is primarily what it is about, along with equality of status for our two nationak languages.
Thanks for reminding us that French citizenship comes with a right to vote in Canadian elections.

Sorry. In order to please you I should use the term frogs instead.

CANADIEN · May 30, 2009

Sorry. In order to please you I should use the term frogs instead.

The word "please" is not the one that comes to my mind. I'd rather refer to the way you, Argus, use words to amuse me with your profound stupidity.

Edited May 30, 2009 by CANADIEN

Argus · May 30, 2009

The word "please" is not the one that comes to my mind. I'd rather refer to the way you, Argus, use words to amuse me with your profound stupidity.

Least I'm not stupid enough to keep arguing the same moronic semantic point about calling frenchmen frenchmen.

Smallc · May 30, 2009

Yes, it's only simple semantics that they are in fact Canadian citizens. :rolleyes:

benny · May 30, 2009

A deviation from a topic' subject may be analyzed as a Freudian slip.

CANADIEN · May 30, 2009

Least I'm not stupid enough to keep arguing the same moronic semantic point about calling frenchmen frenchmen.

The stupidity is in actually believing this is just semantics. Those who think that French is not a Canadian language like English is, that French-speaking Canadians should be treated like second class citizens without their rights as Canadians, who wants Quebec out, and who believe that French-speakers outside Quebec are all from Quebec, and that they belong only im Quebec, those people who would tell you in public "speak Canadian" - these people are not engaging iin a semantic exercise. And neither do I. Edited May 30, 2009 by CANADIEN

Machjo · May 30, 2009

I was just wondering: where does all that anti-Francophone bigotry come from?

benny · May 30, 2009

I was just wondering: where does all that anti-Francophone bigotry come from?

From a bad conscience.

g_bambino · May 30, 2009

Least I'm not stupid enough to keep arguing the same moronic semantic point about calling frenchmen frenchmen.

Call Frenchmen Frenchmen as much as you like, as long as those men are from France; lest you confuse Algerians, Madagascarese, Moroccans, Haitians, Romandians, Wallonians, Luxembourgians, Aostans, Guernsians, Congoese, Cajuns, & etc. with the French.

Frenchman isn't a synonym for French-speaker; it is such for people from France.