Olympic ceremonies lack French

CANADIEN · February 19, 2010

Seeing that the Olympics are under the responsibility of the IOC and not the Canadian Federal government, I don't think it's appropriate for the Canadian Federal Government to be criticizing this so publicly. If there's an issue, bring it up with the IOC in private, and if there really is an issue, I'm sure the IOC will make the appropriate modifications come next Olympics. But as the article says, the IOC seemed to be satisfied, so what's the issue?

The IOC is NOT the organizers of the Games. VANOC, a non-profit entity set up by the Federal, provincial and municipal governments, and subject to all relevant Canadian laws, is.

The IOC chooses the host city, it decides will sports will be played, it monitors standards for the sports and installations (with the various sports federations), and arranges for tests for dopings. It does NOT organizes the Games, build the facilities, or determine the non-protocolar portions of the opening and closing ceremonies. That's up to the hosting City and country or whatever organization they set up for that purpose.

VANOC was responsible for the contents of the non-protocolar part of the opening ceremony. It is accountable to Canadieans, through the federal government, on how it manages it finances and meets its respnsibilities under Canadian laws.

William Ashley · February 19, 2010

repost

CANADIEN · February 19, 2010

If you calculate that on a percentage basis it should have been around 20% in French. and I am being generous.

Determining how much of the "other language" should be present as a matter of percentage. Where did I see that before?

Yeah, I remember. Those people who measure commercial signs to Quenec to make sure that there is less English than french. Once again, you do what they do.

And BTW, I think that what they do is stupid.

Machjo · February 19, 2010

If you calculate that on a percentage basis it should have been around 20% in French. and I am being generous.

Where do you get 20% from? You can't interpret part of an event. You either interpret it all or not at all. And since Canada is irrelevant in the IOC context anyway, all that matters is that it abides by IOC rules.

CANADIEN · February 19, 2010

Where do you get 20% from? You can't interpret part of an event. You either interpret it all or not at all. And since Canada is irrelevant in the IOC context anyway, all that matters is that it abides by IOC rules.

And once again, IOC rules do not govern the non-protocola parts of the opening ceremony.

Machjo · February 19, 2010

The IOC is NOT the organizers of the Games. VANOC, a non-profit entity set up by the Federal, provincial and municipal governments, and subject to all relevant Canadian laws, is.

The IOC chooses the host city, it decides will sports will be played, it monitors standards for the sports and installations (with the various sports federations), and arranges for tests for dopings. It does NOT organizes the Games, build the facilities, or determine the non-protocolar portions of the opening and closing ceremonies. That's up to the hosting City and country or whatever organization they set up for that purpose.

VANOC was responsible for the contents of the non-protocolar part of the opening ceremony. It is accountable to Canadieans, through the federal government, on how it manages it finances and meets its respnsibilities under Canadian laws.

I'll quote directly from the Olympic Charter 2007 (http://www.turin2006.com/Documents/Reports/EN/en_report_122.pdf):

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.

So I think this makes it clear that French is the primary official language of the International Olympic Committee, and tradition also places French as the primary language of the Olympics anywhere they are held. This puts this language portion beyond the scope of national policies. If any nation should decide to forgo the French portion, it would be conspicuous by its absence. In a country like Canada, obviously even more so. In order to not raise eyebrows, any nation would need to follow the usual tradition of French followed by English followed by the national language if different. Even if Canada had no significant French-speaking population, it would still have included French, just like Beijing had, and just like London will. If the Chinese government had taken it upon itself to exclude French, it would certainly have made it into the international press. Same if the British government should decide to forgo it next year. Canadian politics really do play a small role in the Olympic languages used. It just so happens that coincidentally our languages are the same as the IOC's, and that's what's leading to all the confusion with Canadian language politics now grafting themselves onto what is essentially the traditional role of languages in the Olympics.

Machjo · February 19, 2010

And once again, IOC rules do not govern the non-protocola parts of the opening ceremony.

See above.

capricorn · February 19, 2010

Canadian politics really do play a small role in the Olympic languages used. It just so happens that coincidentally our languages are the same as the IOC's, and that's what's leading to all the confusion with Canadian language politics now grafting themselves onto what is essentially the traditional role of languages in the Olympics.

This business of a couple of complaints caught the attention of the Language Commissioner is a minor distraction and will be quickly dispensed with. When I read the Quebec media and see complaints that "bienvenu" was pronounced "benvenou" by non-french speakers, the whole matter takes on a rather ridiculous and petty tone.

CANADIEN · February 19, 2010

See above.

To state that Canadian laws do not matter because English and French are the official languages of the IOC is true only in part. The Olympic Charter, for example, does not govern the langauge skills needed in VANOC volunteers that are not involved with official announcements or protocolar activities, for example. The Olympic Charter is silent about what language the head of the host country uses to officially open the games, or what language(s) the organizing committee uses in its internal operations.

When there were complaints to the ICO about the fact the some of the announcements at sports venue at the Calgary Olympic Games were only in English, the response was along the lines of "If it's not announcing the athletes and the results, that does nto concern us" (this from memory, that was 22 years ago after all).

The confusio here is caused (not on purpose mind you) by those who believe that the language provisions in the Olympic Charter does extends to all aspects of the organization of the Games. It does not.

Edited February 19, 2010 by CANADIEN

CANADIEN · February 19, 2010

This business of a couple of complaints caught the attention of the Language Commissioner is a minor distraction and will be quickly dispensed with. When I read the Quebec media and see complaints that "bienvenu" was pronounced "benvenou" by non-french speakers, the whole matter takes on a rather ridiculous and petty tone.

As I said all along, there is very little that I take VANOC to task for since the start of the Games. As for the "they did not pronounce the wrds right" bit, that will be dispatched by the Commissioner's Office, and it is indeed stupid. Same as all those "they speak English with an accent" complaints one hears all the time.

Machjo · February 19, 2010

To state that Canadian laws do not matter because English and French are the official languages of the IOC is true only in part. The Olympic Charter, for example, does not govern the langauge skills needed in VANOC volunteers that are not involved with official announcements or protocolar activities, for example. The Olympic Charter is silent about what language the head of the host country uses to officially open the games, or what language(s) the organizing committee uses in its internal operations.

When there were complaints to the ICO about the fact the some of the announcements at sports venue at the Calgary Olympic Games were only in English, the response was along the lines of "If it's not announcing the athletes and the results, that does nto concern us" (this from memory, that was 22 years ago after all).

The confusio here is caused (not on purpose mind you) by those who believe that the language provisions in the Olympic Charter does extends to all aspects of the organization of the Games. It does not.

Ok, fair enough. On the one hand, I wish the federal government had never funded the Olympics iin the first place, in which case it woudl not even be any of our business. On the other hand, since the feds did fund the Olympics, then certainly they have a say, and have a right to insist that French have as equal a status as English as is possible. On that front, certainly thy do have a point. But again, we should never have funded the Olympics in the first place.

fellowtraveller · February 19, 2010

This thread illutrates just how far this country has its head up its own ass.

Smallc · February 19, 2010

This thread illutrates just how far this country has its head up its own ass.

Why, exactly? What you or I may consider trivial may not be to someone else in Canada. This country was built on compromise and cooperation, and for the most part, that spirit continues to this day. If there is a belief by some members of the federation that there was not enough French in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, then that should and will be explored. It doesn't take away from the Olympics, it doesn't take away from the ceremonies....it simply states a belief.

Wilber · February 19, 2010

Why, exactly? What you or I may consider trivial may not be to someone else in Canada. This country was built on compromise and cooperation, and for the most part, that spirit continues to this day. If there is a belief by some members of the federation that there was not enough French in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, then that should and will be explored. It doesn't take away from the Olympics, it doesn't take away from the ceremonies....it simply states a belief.

I kind of agree with traveler. When it comes to dreaming up things to complain about, Canada does indeed "Own the Podium". As a rule, the amount of bitching is directly related to how well off people are. Those who are not, don't have the time to bitch about things that have no real effect on their lives because they are too busy trying to survive.

Oleg Bach · February 20, 2010

Every one of any international substance speaks English - this time warp that is Quebec should adjust and get out of that antiquated heritage thing - we have no heritage today this is globalism and mulit-destroy all culturism - get with the times Quebec! You can't live in the past and expect the world to pay tribute to your grand former culture - that is now an international joke!

bush_cheney2004 · February 20, 2010

... You can't live in the past and expect the world to pay tribute to your grand former culture - that is now an international joke!

You mean like Labelles "Lady Marmelade":

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi (ce soir)?

Oleg Bach · February 20, 2010

You mean like Labelles "Lady Marmelade":

Voulez-vous coucher avec moi (ce soir)?

Can't speak French..even though they tried to force us in school - Did you know my sister inlaw has been a French teacher for 25 years and can not speak French either. So smart yank boy - what does the Lady Marm chorus mean anyway? Glad you clocked back in - I was about to leave in two minutes - make me laugh and I will be gone - NOW get to it jester boy!

bush_cheney2004 · February 20, 2010

So smart yank boy - what does the Lady Marm chorus mean anyway?

It means "Do you want to sleep with me (tonight)?" Very risque' in 1974 for AM radio.

(I think the word "risque" is French too, so I get extra credit.

I vaguely recall 8 weeks of French back in the 7th grade by some women with big jugs who wore too much fragrance. We called her Pepe Le Pew.

Oleg Bach · February 20, 2010

It means "Do you want to sleep with me (tonight)?" Very risque' in 1974 for AM radio.

(I think the word "risque" is French too, so I get extra credit.

I vaguely recall 8 weeks of French back in the 7th grade by some women with big jugs who wore too much fragrance. We called her Pepe Le Pew.

I know the smell - rose water - the kind that undertakers use when they rush a job - or when there is prolonged viewage...My French teacher was Mrs. Goldman - I hated French with a Jewish nasal drawl.. Yesterday I got to play with a Haitian performer who just arrived - being a tag along with this real ugly amazon film docmentary lady--- I filled in with some nice electric solos --- The anglo drummer could not get the grove - He like most see blacks from the Islands as being all Jamacian and was expecting some sort of regae off beat _But the Haitian played music that sounded familiar to me because it was of the French culture - which is latin based as is Russian - so I understood it immediately - great guy - he loveded my _ Just feel sorry for him having to bang the six foot 200 pound female ...I guess he can always shower,,,,oooh - those days are gone for me..poor guy.

bush_cheney2004 · February 20, 2010

I know the smell - rose water - the kind that undertakers use when they rush a job - or when there is prolonged viewage...

THAT'S IT !!!!! THAT'S THE SMELL.....odors last forever in our memory. Must be a dog thing.

Anyway, later in life, I would miss that smell compared to the absolutely pungent odor that came from the hairy armpits and crotches of visiting French account executives from Siemens. The women were the worst!

Oleg Bach · February 20, 2010

THAT'S IT !!!!! THAT'S THE SMELL.....odors last forever in our memory. Must be a dog thing.

Anyway, later in life, I would miss that smell compared to the absolutely pungent odor that came from the hairy armpits and crotches of visiting French account executives from Siemens. The women were the worst!

Our culture are water lovers -we like to bathe..some especially from dry areas such a plains folk or the French...take Napoleon for instance - He would write his wife and say - "I will be home in a month, don't bathe" I can kind of see where he is coming from as far as flavour - it's either than or freshly washed in hot water giving off a hint of boiled chicken..for me - a tad dirty is as nice a clean ----jeeezz - you have me off into another world ---okay..that smell - the rose water corpse sent..the other one I actually like is old frankensense that reminds me of when my dad took us to the Russian Orthodox church - ONCE A YEAR...Pops was pragmatic.

bush_cheney2004 · February 20, 2010

.... you have me off into another world ---okay..that smell - the rose water corpse sent..the other one I actually like is old frankensense that reminds me of when my dad took us to the Russian Orthodox church - ONCE A YEAR...Pops was pragmatic.

My old man was into Faberge' back in the 50's and 60's....said that broads needed a scent to fixate on...just like men. I guess it worked....that's how I got here!

Machjo · February 20, 2010

Every one of any international substance speaks English - this time warp that is Quebec should adjust and get out of that antiquated heritage thing - we have no heritage today this is globalism and mulit-destroy all culturism - get with the times Quebec! You can't live in the past and expect the world to pay tribute to your grand former culture - that is now an international joke!

You've obviously not traveled much abroad, have you. Or if you have, you stuck around the tourist traps. I've traveled off the beaten path a few times, and can tell you that English is not nearly as global as you make it out to be. You'd be surprise how much international business goes on in neighbouring languages, such as Chinese doing business with Koreans in Korean instead of English, which is a growing trend now in that region.

Oleg Bach · February 20, 2010

What were our founders thinking when they had the dream of a nation that stretched sea to sea? Did anyone ever imagine that having a nation with some other nation stuck dead centre would not be a problem - Quebec should have been fully conquered and assimulated..It was a mistake to appease the vanquished..Yes you are probably right about other languages being almost as universal as English - but French is fast fading as one of the buisness languages..unless you are buying arms or wine.