Olympic ceremonies lack French

[Leafless]

Canada’s heritage minister says he’s “disappointed” at the amount of French in the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver Winter Olympics Friday.

Heritage minister James Moore’s criticism was supported by the country’s official languages commissioner.

While calling the opening ceremonies “a huge success,” he said he had hoped for “a better representation” of Canadian biculturalism.

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2010/02/14/12881536-qmi.html

Perhaps James Moore should recognize that Canada is an officially multicultural and not a bicultural country. If he is talking about Canada's official languages then he should be more specific.

Secondly both Mr. Moore and Graham Fraser Canada's official language commissioner should respect B.C as a province that does not support any type of language legislation.

Edited February 15, 2010 by Leafless

[William Ashley]

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2010/02/14/12881536-qmi.html

Perhaps James Moore should recognize that Canada is an officially multicultural and not a bicultural country. If he is talking about Canada's official languages then he should be more specific.

Secondly both Mr. Moore and Graham Fraser Canada's official language commissioner should respect B.C as a province that does support any type of language legislation.

It is an international organization who the hell cares. You want more French get more french involvement in the thing. It is freaken BC not Quebec. While I adore the French language and its culture and history, this one is a no brainer. The federal government shouldn't be spending on it anyway. Waste of tax payer dollars unless you consider it the commercial aspect. Look at the books - how much money has the Olympics made Canada? That is all that should matter. I highly value sport and love exercise but I don't get paid a dime to work out. The ultranationalism and nazi colours are sickening. I'm all for the olympics but it is hypocracy to have a country at war even start to talk about the virtues of peace and fraternity.

And yes there is french in far more places than Quebec including where my home is in northern ontario (the town has a french name) fact is though.. BC (British Columbia) isn't all that french... The federal officials should have done both languages though in totality.

Here is the clincher though .. french is one of the two official langauges of the olympics.. uber fail.. the whole thing should of been done in both languages in totality.

Edited February 15, 2010 by William Ashley

[Leafless]

Here is the clincher though .. french is one of the two official langauges of the olympics.. uber fail.. the whole thing should of been done in both languages in totality.

English and French languages are 'federally official only' and not supported by all Canadian provinces.

British Colombia is a province that has no provincial language legislation of any kind.

Anyways, the French language was not totally ignored.

[robert_viera]

From the IOC Charter:

24 Languages

1. The official languages of the IOC are French and English.

2. At all Sessions, simultaneous interpretation must be provided into French, English,

German, Spanish, Russian and Arabic.

3. In the case of divergence between the French and English texts of the Olympic Charter

and any other IOC document, the French text shall prevail unless expressly provided

otherwise in writing.

http://www.olympic.org/Documents/olympic_charter_en.pdf

I guess the organizers can do what they want, but it doesn't look very good on the international stage when we can't manage to put on an opening ceremony in both of the official IOC languages, despite the fact more than one fifth of our population speak French.

I liked what Jacques Villeneuve, who took part in the opening ceremony, said when some in Quebec objected to him calling his restaurant "Newtown":

Villeneuve, who is in Montreal for the coming weekend's Canadian Grand Prix brushed off the complaints, saying that Quebeckers angry about the name should "see further than the tip of your nose."

Villeneuve said that he had spent time in Switzerland with people who spoke three or four languages without it causing any problems.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2001/06/05/newtown_french010605.html

The whole world is watching. Let's hope the organizers will see further than "the tip of their noses."

Edited February 15, 2010 by robert_viera

[capricorn]

On the bright side, the Aboriginal Television Peoples Network is broadcasting the olympics in 10 languages, English, French, Cree, Dene, Inuktitut, Mechif, Mi'kmaq, Mohawk, Ojibwa and Oji-Cree.

[Smallc]

That would be the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network.

Edited February 16, 2010 by Smallc

[Shady]

Perhaps if the opening ceremonies didn't overload on natives, there could have been a few more spots open for others.

[capricorn]

The Natives had to fill in for Celine Dion who was busy in hospital trying to get impregnated by her aging husband's frozen sperm.

Producers of the spectacular, multimillion-dollar extravaganza had also tried to increase the French share of the show by asking Quebec's celebrated Céline Dion to participate, but Ms. Dion declined, Ms. Smith-Valade disclosed.

The world-famous singer was in hospital at the time of the ceremonies, for treatments to help her conceive a second child.

http://www.ctvolympics.ca/news-centre/newsid=41449.html#dion+said+opening+ceremony

[cybercoma]

Our Native and British Isles heritages were well represented in the cultural component, but they're right, not so much French. Say what you want about multiculturalism, which was represented near the end, but French voyageurs are the roots of this country.

[capricorn]

Say what you want about multiculturalism, which was represented near the end, but French voyageurs are the roots of this country.

Well said cybercoma. Multiculturalism is what will eclipse the role that French voyageurs had in exploring and populating our country.

[Machjo]

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2010/02/14/12881536-qmi.html

Perhaps James Moore should recognize that Canada is an officially multicultural and not a bicultural country. If he is talking about Canada's official languages then he should be more specific.

Perhaps we need to recognize that the IOC is not a Canadian organization and that this issue has absolutely nothing to do with Canada. French followed by English were present at the Beijing Olympics too, and as per IOC policy, it will be the same at the London Olympics unless there's a change of policy between now and then. The world does not revolve around Canada.

Secondly both Mr. Moore and Graham Fraser Canada's official language commissioner should respect B.C as a province that does not support any type of language legislation.

Again, this has nothing to do with Canada. if they want to complain, then they should bring the issue up with the IOC to change its policy for future Olympic events.

[Machjo]

English and French languages are 'federally official only' and not supported by all Canadian provinces.

British Colombia is a province that has no provincial language legislation of any kind.

Anyways, the French language was not totally ignored.

Again, this issue has absolutely zilch to do with Canada. French took precedence over Mandarin at the Beijing Olympics too. This has to do with IOC rules, and quite frankly I doubt the IOC has studied Canada's language issues in detail. It just went along with its traditional rules, figuring if they were good enough for other countries, they'll be good enough for Canada too. In fact, we had one language less than most countries do. Most Olympic events are in French followed by English followed by the local langage. We had only two languages. We should think ourselves lucky.

[Machjo]

Our Native and British Isles heritages were well represented in the cultural component, but they're right, not so much French. Say what you want about multiculturalism, which was represented near the end, but French voyageurs are the roots of this country.

The IOC is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. What the hell does that have to do with French Voyageurs?

[Machjo]

Perhaps if the opening ceremonies didn't overload on natives, there could have been a few more spots open for others.

Seeing that French and English are included in every Olympic event in the world, even though together French and English-speakers represent no more than 12% of the world's population, don't you think we could share the stage with local indigenous cultures just this once. For crying out loud, we have French and English at the Beijing Olympics, Torino, Athens, Nagano, you name it... and we're still not satisfied?!

[capricorn]

The IOC is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. What the hell does that have to do with French Voyageurs?

Who cares where the IOC is based. It has to do with the host country having control over the opening ceremonies.

[Machjo]

Who cares where the IOC is based. It has to do with the host country having control over the opening ceremonies.

If you're talking about the actual events, I agree. As for the languages chosen though, it is well established by policy that it is always French followed by English followed by the local or national language if it is different from either of the first two. According to that policy, it would be French followed by English, with no third language in our case. This has nothing to do with Canada as such, but simple IOC policy. As for the OP, it was addressing not enough French, implying the language, not the actual events. So maybe there should have been more Voyageur culture presented, but that would be an issue for a separate thread. But as for the language policy (which is what the OP seems to be bringing up), that did in fact have zilch to do with Canada. Even the Beijing Olympics started with French followed by English followed by Mandarin.

[CANADIEN]

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2010/02/14/12881536-qmi.html

both Mr. Moore and Graham Fraser Canada's official language commissioner should respect B.C as a province that does not support any type of language legislation.

Clueless again... The point of the cultural component of the opening ceremonies was to showcase Canada... NotVnacouver, not BC, CANADA, as a whole.

BTW, I was mostly statisfied with the place of the French language in the ceremony. I wouldn't be surprised if you turned red everytime you heard some French on Friday night.

[Machjo]

Clueless again... The point of the cultural component of the opening ceremonies was to showcase Canada... NotVnacouver, not BC, CANADA, as a whole.

Honestly, though, seeing how diverse Canada is, I actually could agree with the idea of the Olympics focusing on the local instead of national culture. So in the case of Vancouver, for example, the focus would have been more on its local and indigenous cultures. The reason I say this is that when we try to showcase Canada as a whole, it will always be somewhat contorted. Obviously, la Malbaie-Pointe-au-Pic, Kitchener-Waterloo, Kuujjuak, Iqaluit, Vancouver, Tortonto, and Montreal are each quite different from one another culturally. Except for Iqaluit and Kuujjuak, I've been to all the cities mentioned above, and they each have their distinctive flavour that can only be controted artificially in an attempt to represent them in an entire national panorama.

For example, if the Olympics were held in Quebec city, it would make sense to focus on its local and indigenous cultures, instead of trying to swallow up the whole complexities of Canada in one foul swoop.

Now having said that, I also think the local community should be responsible for financing it too, and the federal government should but out.

[capricorn]

As for the OP, it was addressing not enough French, implying the language, not the actual events.

I believe you would be wrong. The OP had everything to do with the opening ceremonies.

So maybe there should have been more Voyageur culture presented, but that would be an issue for a separate thread.

A separate thread would not be required or productive. I doubt more needs to be said that hasn't already been said.

But as for the language policy (which is what the OP seems to be bringing up), that did in fact have zilch to do with Canada. Even the Beijing Olympics started with French followed by English followed by Mandarin.

The OP is about the the French content of opening ceremonies, not the language policy of the IOC. To me, comparing the Beijing summer olympics to Canada's winter olympics in terms of languages is irrelevant and a waste of time.

[Machjo]

I believe you would be wrong. The OP had everything to do with the opening ceremonies.

Yes, but it was referring to the language used, not the other aspects of it.

A separate thread would not be required or productive. I doubt more needs to be said that hasn't already been said.

Seeing that the OP has zilch to do with the non-linguistic content of the ceremonies, it does make it a separate issue.

The OP is about the the French content of opening ceremonies, not the language policy of the IOC. To me, comparing the Beijing summer olympics to Canada's winter olympics in terms of languages is irrelevant and a waste of time.

Totally relevent. Beijing is not the only non-Anglophone and non-Francophone Olympic host to have followed the policy of including French and English plus the local language if different. That is just standard IOC practice. Seeing that this is an Olympic and thus international event, some of the policy decisions made, though possibly locally implemented, are still based on international IOC norms.

[capricorn]

For example, if the Olympics were held in Quebec city, it would make sense to focus on its local and indigenous cultures, instead of trying to swallow up the whole complexities of Canada in one foul swoop.

Foul swoop indeed.

How many ways could you depict Chateau Frontenac, les portes St. Louis or the Plains of Abraham? Let your imagination roam free.

Now having said that, I also think the local community should be responsible for financing it too, and the federal government should but out.

Oh sure. A municipality would have no problem absorbing the millions spent on opening ceremonies. Give your head a shake machjo.

[kimmy]

Perhaps we need to recognize that the IOC is not a Canadian organization and that this issue has absolutely nothing to do with Canada. French followed by English were present at the Beijing Olympics too, and as per IOC policy, it will be the same at the London Olympics unless there's a change of policy between now and then. The world does not revolve around Canada.

Again, this has nothing to do with Canada. if they want to complain, then they should bring the issue up with the IOC to change its policy for future Olympic events.

If the IOC had a complaint about the ceremonies not having adequate French translation, I would expect the complaints would have come from the IOC and not from Canadian politicians trying to score points with Quebec voters.

-k

{James Moore, and any other politicians wishing to discuss "Canadian biculturualism" or "les deux solitudes" or similar can feel free to go do a backflip into an empty pool as far as I'm concerned.}

[CANADIEN]

Honestly, though, seeing how diverse Canada is, I actually could agree with the idea of the Olympics focusing on the local instead of national culture. So in the case of Vancouver, for example, the focus would have been more on its local and indigenous cultures. The reason I say this is that when we try to showcase Canada as a whole, it will always be somewhat contorted. Obviously, la Malbaie-Pointe-au-Pic, Kitchener-Waterloo, Kuujjuak, Iqaluit, Vancouver, Tortonto, and Montreal are each quite different from one another culturally. Except for Iqaluit and Kuujjuak, I've been to all the cities mentioned above, and they each have their distinctive flavour that can only be controted artificially in an attempt to represent them in an entire national panorama.

For example, if the Olympics were held in Quebec city, it would make sense to focus on its local and indigenous cultures, instead of trying to swallow up the whole complexities of Canada in one foul swoop.

Now having said that, I also think the local community should be responsible for financing it too, and the federal government should but out.

Diversity is one of the main characteristics of this country, and we should have no hesitation in showing it.

[Machjo]

Foul swoop indeed.

How many ways could you depict Chateau Frontenac, les portes St. Louis or the Plains of Abraham? Let your imagination roam free.

There is so much to cover even just from West Coast culture, that alone could fill an event.

Oh sure. A municipality would have no problem absorbing the millions spent on opening ceremonies. Give your head a shake machjo.

Sorry. I should have been clearer. As far as I'm concerned, no government funding should go into the Olympics, even if that means no Olympics. I guess that point was too subtle.

[Machjo]

Diversity is one of the main characteristics of this country, and we should have no hesitation in showing it.

Yes, but there is so much diversity even just on the West Coast alone, where do we find the time to squeeze in every aspect of Canadian culture. Had this event been more focussed on West Coast culture, then the next Olympics, if held on the East Coast, for example, could have more adequately covered East coast culture, etc.