Olympic ceremonies lack French

[Machjo]

I wasn;t aware than anybody was talking about what languages is spoken in private businesses. Feel free to stumble into the absurd. I have said what I had to say.

The Olympics are not a Federal department. Though as I've said before, since they are funded by the Federal government, that is the only reason they should have some French representation.

Having said that though, I am in favour of official regional bilingualism as opposed to official personal bilingualism. In other words, in most of Quebec the government ought to have an obligation to guarantee services in French. Likewise in some parts of Eastern Ontario and Labrador. Inversely, the BC government ought to have an obligation to provide services in English. But as long as individual bilingualism prevails, then certainly any event in receipt of federal funding should be bilingual in French and English, as I've said before.

[fellowtraveller]

That's a false dichotomy. This nation has NEVER been a completely united on various issues. Small squabbles like this don't signal the failure of a nation.

The French/English buntoss is far from small, it has cost the country and at least one province an incalculable and very very large amount of money. And still does.

Most of the provinces have given up on trade with each other for this and other reasons. Much easier to trade on your own with the USA or other countries than get past the arcane bizarre world of provincial protectionism, supported and encouraged by such things as federal supply side economics.

And you don't think the language/culture war is not central to this? Unreal.

[Smallc]

There's no war going on, except in the minds of some. The language laws are already set. They haven't changed for a very long time, and they're not going to change. Canada has two official languages at the federal level. That's a reality that has to be dealt with. There are historic agreements that have been made between many provinces that have brought down trade barriers. Yes, there is still a distance to go, but that doesn't mean we aren't making progress.

The reality is, Canada is a federation, and as such, operates differently than unitary states. Each province is free to set its own rules in many areas, and that's a good things. Trade with the world outside of Canada is a good things. It brings money in to Canada instead of just shifting it around. The fact that Quebec, Manitoba, and BC sell hydro to the US is a good thing. It's also a good thing that Alberta oil goes to the US. At the same time, you're right, we need to work towards better internal trade. Deals between QC and NB, between NB, and PEI, between SK, and MB, or between BC, AB, and SK all make that a reality. No one (except maybe you) has given up on anything.

[Mr.Canada]

English is the universal language, not French. Many more countires at the games speak English as a second language and not French. Why use a language a minority of the population at these games speak. The Francophones watching the games at home would be doing so on French language television.

As an example in Beijing 2008 the ceremonies were mostly in English not French. This illustrates my point that people of the world speak more English than French. English is the worlds language of business as well. These whiners are perpetual victims who will cry about something all the time. If it's not this it will be something else. Who cares.

Just more whining, nothing to see here move right along and ignore these cry babies.

Edited February 24, 2010 by Mr.Canada

[Smallc]

nothing to see here

You're right...now if only I could get the time it took to read your post back.

[M.Dancer]

Many more countires at the games speak English as a second language and not French.

Albania -second langauge - Greek

Algeria -second language - French

Andorra -Second Language - French

Argentina - second laguage - Italian

Armenia -second language - Yezidi

Australia - Sorry Bruce, there is no second language

Austria - French/ english

Azerbaijan-second language - Russian

Belarus - saecond langauge - Russian

Belgium -second langauge - French

Bermuda - second langauge - American

Bosnia and Herzegovina -second langauge- Serbian

Brazil - Second language(s)- Spanish, German, Italian

Bulgaria second langauge- Turkish

Canada -second langauge- Leafless

Cayman Islands - second language- spanish

Chile -second langauge- German

China - second langauge- english

Colombia -second langauge- cocaine

Croatia - second langauge- french

Cyprus- second language- Turkish/english

Czech Republic -second langauge- Slovak

Denmark-Second langauge- English

Estonia- second langauge- Russian

Ethiopia- second langauge- English

Finland -second language -Swedish

France -second langauge- French

Georgia -second langauge-Russian

Germany -second langauge -Englander

Ghana second langauge- English

Great Britain -second langauge- French

Greece- second langauge- begrudgingly English

Hong Kong -second langauge- English

Hungary -second langauge(s) -english German and french

Iceland -second langauge - english

India -second langauge - English

Iran -second langauge -English

Ireland second langauge- Erse

Israel second language(s_ arabic, russian, english

Italy -secondo lingua- Inglese

Jamaica -second langauge- English

Japan -second langauge - english

Kazakhstan -second langauge- Russian

North Korea -second language _ GO AWAY

South Korea -second langauge- english

Kyrgyzstan -second langauge _ Russian

Latvia -second langauge _ russian

Lebanon -second langauge - French

Liechtenstein -second language- French

Lithuania -second langauge- Russian

Macedonia -second language- Albanian

Mexico -second Language- English

Moldova -second Langauge-Russian

Monaco -Second language- Italian

Mongolia -second langauge- Chinese

Montenegro -second Langauge- Montenegrin

Morocco -second language- Spanish

Nepal -Second langauge- Maithali

Netherlands (second langauge- Canadian

New Zealand -second language

Norway -second language- English/swedish

Pakistan -second langauge - English

Peru -second langauge- Quechua

Poland second langauge- German, Russian

Portugal second langauge- Spanish

Romania- second langauge-Hungarian

Russia -second Language-French

San Marino second langauge- esperanto

Senegal Second language- French

Serbia second langauge- French

Slovakia second langauge- czech

Slovenia -second langauge- Italian, German, Haungarian

South Africa- Second Langauge- English/ Afrikaans

Spain second Langauge- English

Sweden -second langauge- English

Switzerland-second langauge- English

Chinese Taipei second langauge- English

Tajikistan second Langauge -Russian

Turkey second Langauge- Kurdish

Ukraine -second language- Russian

United States -second langauge- Spanish

Lets count

English as a second langauge (or first)

31

French

14

Russian

13

[dizzy]

Lets count

English as a second langauge (or first)

31

French

14

Russian

13

So, by utilizing a well-established domestic capacity, we can easily and at low cost increase 1st/2nd language comprehension for fans and athletes from just around 39% to over 55%. Let's also mention the wonderful gesture it is for the 43 athletes from Québec.

[fellowtraveller]

There's no war going on, except in the minds of some.

Would you invest a few billion in Montreal?

Because nobody else would either, for a long time now.

It must be just a coincidence.

[Smallc]

Would you invest a few billion in Montreal?

That's not a reality anymore. Quebec for the last few years has had a quickly growing economy, and Montreal and Quebec City both have growing franco and anglo populations.

[msdogfood]

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.

well put!!

Thank you!!

[Mr.Canada]

Lets count

English as a second langauge (or first)

31

French

14

Russian

13

Great, thanks for proving my point. There's more than enough French( a language which is dying not growing like English is).

[Smallc]

Great, thanks for proving my point. There's more than enough French

Your hero's government disagrees with you.

[Mr.Canada]

Your hero's government disagrees with you.

Is this a riddle?

Ok I'll play along, I got one for you.

What gets wet as it dries?

Edited February 25, 2010 by Mr.Canada

[Smallc]

What are you talking about? A Conservative Minister of the Crown has said that he agrees there wasn't enough French. Don't you get your talking points from the Harper Conservatives? Maybe you should keep more up to date.

[Mr.Canada]

What are you talking about? A Conservative Minister of the Crown has said that he agrees there wasn't enough French. Don't you get your talking points from the Harper Conservatives? Maybe you should keep more up to date.

I form my own opinions I don't get them from anywhere. I go with my gut feelings and post on them.

[CANADIEN]

English is the universal language

Go say that to all people around the world who do NOT Speak English.

Many more countires at the games speak English as a second language and not French.

And French is an official language in most countries of the word than Spanish, Russian and Chinese put together.

Why use a language a minority of the population at these games speak.

First, the world does not speak English alone. Second French is spoken in various parts of the world. Third, French is a Canadian language, same as English.

As an example in Beijing 2008 the ceremonies were mostly in English not French.

Actually, they were mostly in Mandarin, and English and French have an equal status in the Olympic movement.

Just more whining, nothing to see here move right along and ignore these cry babies.

Nah, igoring you would be no fun.

Edited February 26, 2010 by CANADIEN

[CANADIEN]

Great, thanks for proving my point. There's more than enough French( a language which is dying not growing like English is).

Let's see here. 43 countries (actually a little more than that, I am sure) is not exactly what I would call universal.

As for French dying. Other ignoramuses like you will still be claiming that six generations from now, disproving the claim right there. Suffice to say that it is still one of the top languages when couting first and second languages spoken, and that it has had the largst growth on the Internet (after Mandarin) sicne 2000.

[CANADIEN]

I do agree that there are unfair access restrictions for some quebec residents to english schools. Still, there are english schools in the small town where I live. There are english schools in Montreal and in many places, both urban and rural, across the province. Care to do a count on how many french schools (not french immersion) there are in toronto? Find me french schools outside of the eastern and north eastern ontario regions. And, within those ontario regions where french schools exist, try to register a child who is not already french-speaking. At least the bill 104 restrictions are on paper, so that they can be challenged.

There are 377 French-language schools in Ontario, including 19 in Toronto. There are 12 french-language school baord, managing records through out the province, not only in the Eastern and northern part, but also in Brockville, sault Ste, Marie, London, etc., etc. Your facts, crearly, need to be updated.

[Guest TrueMetis]

I form my own opinions I don't get them from anywhere. I go with my gut feelings and post on them.

That explains why you come off like such a fool. Rather than analyzing something you make a knee-jerk reaction. People who actually want to learn something about a situation research and don't just post thier "gut feelings" like a buffoon.

[dizzy]

There are 377 French-language schools in Ontario, including 19 in Toronto. There are 12 french-language school baord, managing records through out the province, not only in the Eastern and northern part, but also in Brockville, sault Ste, Marie, London, etc., etc. Your facts, crearly, need to be updated.

You're right.

[CANADIEN]

I form my own opinions

And considering what they are, it would be a great idea to start borrowing or stealing a few ones.

[M.Dancer]

And considering what they are, it would be a great idea to start borrowing or stealing a few ones.

zing...:0

[Machjo]

I form my own opinions I don't get them from anywhere. I go with my gut feelings and post on them.

So you think with your gut?