-TSS- Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 (edited) At the risk of opening a can of worms I just can't help asking you people in Canada whether the official bilingualism has been either a liability or an asset. We here in Finland also have this official bilingualism in form of Finnish and Swedish. Most of it is just bloody rubbish as the Swedish-speakers are really concentrated in certain areas of the country but despite that Swedish is the official language throughout the country. I understand that in Canada the provinces may decide over the issue and if there is not a large Francophone population then the province is officially monolingual, English only( not meaning the northern parts of Canada where the indigenous languages may have some official status) Otherwise, if you're looking for a federal job you probably must know both English and French, isn't that true? Edited March 17, 2012 by -TSS- Quote
cybercoma Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 The only officially bilingual place in Canada is the province of New Brunswick. Even at the national level we are not officially bilingual. The nation has two official languages, a subtle but important distinction. Quote
-TSS- Posted March 17, 2012 Author Report Posted March 17, 2012 The only officially bilingual place in Canada is the province of New Brunswick. Even at the national level we are not officially bilingual. The nation has two official languages, a subtle but important distinction. wait a minute, do you mean that English has no status whatsoever in Quebec? Quote
Tilter Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 At the risk of opening a can of worms I just can't help asking you people in Canada whether the official bilingualism has been either a liability or an asset. We here in Finland also have this official bilingualism in form of Finnish and Swedish. Most of it is just bloody rubbish as the Swedish-speakers are really concentrated in certain areas of the country but despite that Swedish is the official language throughout the country. I understand that in Canada the provinces may decide over the issue and if there is not a large Francophone population then the province is officially monolingual, English only( not meaning the northern parts of Canada where the indigenous languages may have some official status) Otherwise, if you're looking for a federal job you probably must know both English and French, isn't that true? Otherwise, if you're looking for a federal job you probably must know both English and French, isn't that true? not quite---- if you are an anglophone who has several university degrees in French Language you will qualify as bilingual. If you are a Francophone who has read an English label on a soup can at some point in your life you are fully qualified as bilingual for federal purposes and even if you have never even heard the English language, for a federal job in Quebec--- you are fully Bilingual :ph34r: Quote
WLDB Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 wait a minute, do you mean that English has no status whatsoever in Quebec? Not legally. Bill 101 is a real pain for those who speak english in Quebec. Either way there is still a large enough english speaking population in Quebec. Im fine with the whole bilingual thing. The more languages you know, the better. Quote "History doesn't repeat itself-at best it sometimes rhymes"-Mark Twain
-TSS- Posted March 17, 2012 Author Report Posted March 17, 2012 (edited) not quite---- if you are an anglophone who has several university degrees in French Language you will qualify as bilingual. If you are a Francophone who has read an English label on a soup can at some point in your life you are fully qualified as bilingual for federal purposes and even if you have never even heard the English language, for a federal job in Quebec--- you are fully Bilingual :ph34r: Am I sensing some bitterness? Edited March 17, 2012 by -TSS- Quote
Tilter Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 Not legally. Bill 101 is a real pain for those who speak english in Quebec. Either way there is still a large enough english speaking population in Quebec. Im fine with the whole bilingual thing. The more languages you know, the better. If you live in Alberta---(98% Anglophone) & are charged with a traffic ticket or a crime & you insist on a trial in French--- you will get it no matter the cost to the province. if you are in Quebec charged with first degree murder--- forget it-- one of the people in court may speak English (but likely won't admit to it in public) Quote
WLDB Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 If you live in Alberta---(98% Anglophone) & are charged with a traffic ticket or a crime & you insist on a trial in French--- you will get it no matter the cost to the province. if you are in Quebec charged with first degree murder--- forget it-- one of the people in court may speak English (but likely won't admit to it in public) Incorrect. http://www.ocol-clo.gc.ca/html/lr_dl_2007_09_p11_e.php Here a person was tried in french but wanted it in english. He used it as a means to appeal, the courts agreed with him and ordered a new trial in english. Quote "History doesn't repeat itself-at best it sometimes rhymes"-Mark Twain
-TSS- Posted March 17, 2012 Author Report Posted March 17, 2012 I know that comparing Finland and Canada is pretty pointless as a single Canadian province is many times the size of Finland but it still gives some direction as to what official bilingualism means. Quote
Newfoundlander Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 Bilingualism sucks and is a waste of money. Quote
MACKER Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 (edited) At the risk of opening a can of worms I just can't help asking you people in Canada whether the official bilingualism has been either a liability or an asset. Asset for the non ignorant. We here in Finland also have this official bilingualism in form of Finnish and Swedish. Most of it is just bloody rubbish as the Swedish-speakers are really concentrated in certain areas of the country but despite that Swedish is the official language throughout the country. I understand that in Canada the provinces may decide over the issue and if there is not a large Francophone population then the province is officially monolingual, English only( not meaning the northern parts of Canada where the indigenous languages may have some official status) Otherwise, if you're looking for a federal job you probably must know both English and French, isn't that true? Bilingualism is an asset, it opens up doors for people. It is unfortunate so many people are ignorant and uneducated. People who do not engage both languages are shirkers of their civic responsibility to build a whole Canada. People have the right to engage society as they wish, but it is a failure not to engage all parts of society. French Society is a large part of Canadian Society, alienation of the French is alienation of 1/5th of what makes you Canadian. would you forget to care for 20% of your body, what are you without arms, or a head? Edited March 17, 2012 by MACKER Quote
-TSS- Posted March 17, 2012 Author Report Posted March 17, 2012 Asset for the non ignorant. Bilingualism is an asset, it opens up doors for people. It is unfortunate so many people are ignorant and uneducated. People who do not engage both languages are shirkers of their civic responsibility to build a whole Canada. People have the right to engage society as they wish, but it is a failure not to engage all parts of society. French Society is a large part of Canadian Society, alienation of the French is alienation of 1/5th of what makes you Canadian. would you forget to care for 20% of your body, what are you without arms, or a head? May I ask are you a French-speaking Canadian yourself? Quote
cybercoma Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 Bilingualism is an asset, it opens up doors for people.It's not an asset. Any of the provincial jobs here in NB or federal jobs that I've seen listed require bilingualism. And it's not a matter of being uneducated. Where I grew up in Windsor, ON, French was completely unnecessary. I had no reason to learn it and I'm not about to spend the time and money to learn it now. I'm sure if the opportunity presented itself where I had the time and I could get into some free courses, I would. However, you can't learn the language out of a book and expect to pass the proficiency tests they have here. Quote
-TSS- Posted March 17, 2012 Author Report Posted March 17, 2012 I know that education-systems may vary from province to province but generally is French compulsory at all levels of education throughout Canada? Quote
WWWTT Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 I actually believe it is good for everyone to learn more then on language! Perhaps our system is not fair,but I am not here to debate how our system works in regards to linguistics. WWWTT Quote Maple Leaf Web is now worth $720.00! Down over $1,500 in less than one year! Total fail of the moderation on this site! That reminds me, never ask Greg to be a business partner! NEVER!
Smallc Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 (edited) The only officially bilingual place in Canada is the province of New Brunswick. Even at the national level we are not officially bilingual. The nation has two official languages, a subtle but important distinction. Is that correct? I was sure that both French and English were official at the federal level. Also, you must have accesses to services if necessary in all provinces in the language (either French or English) of your choice. Edited March 17, 2012 by Smallc Quote
WLDB Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 I know that education-systems may vary from province to province but generally is French compulsory at all levels of education throughout Canada? In Ontario there's a half hour class every day til grade 8. After that one credit in French is needed to graduate high school. It made sense in my area as Northern Ontario is full of French Canadians. Quote "History doesn't repeat itself-at best it sometimes rhymes"-Mark Twain
WLDB Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 Is that correct? I was sure that both French and English were official at the federal level. Also, you must have accesses to services if necessary in all provinces in the language (either French or English) of your choice. Federal services are offered in both languages, but thats about it. Quote "History doesn't repeat itself-at best it sometimes rhymes"-Mark Twain
Smallc Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 Federal services are offered in both languages, but thats about it. Sure, but what else then does official bilingualism mean? Quote
WLDB Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 Sure, but what else then does official bilingualism mean? Just that government services are offered in both languages. It doesnt mean you have to know both languages. Quote "History doesn't repeat itself-at best it sometimes rhymes"-Mark Twain
Smallc Posted March 17, 2012 Report Posted March 17, 2012 Just that government services are offered in both languages. It doesnt mean you have to know both languages. I suppose, if you want to get technical, yes, that is the difference. Quote
Guest Peeves Posted March 18, 2012 Report Posted March 18, 2012 I know that education-systems may vary from province to province but generally is French compulsory at all levels of education throughout Canada? French is a dieing world language. En passant, Quebec patois isn't Parisian French. To placate the separatists a soupçon, "In 2006, the Canadian House of Commons passed a symbolic motion, the Québécois nation motion, recognizing the "Québécois as a nation within a united Canada." Other than in Quebec or in a few pockets outside of Quebec-East Coast, 90% (plus or minus a Québécois ménage à trois) of Canadians would never miss French if were to be dropped tomorrow. It's an expensive concession to Quebec and should only be required for learning or usage there. It would be cheaper if anyone REQUIRING French as in Court or the like to be portaged to Quebec for trial. Stupid things like official Multi-Culturalism and allowing dual citizenship are equally nonsensical. I think it was dat dere Communist guy da The Right Honourable Pierre Elliot Trudeau dat make all this mess in de country. Quote
Smallc Posted March 18, 2012 Report Posted March 18, 2012 It isn't a mess or a waste. It's a reflection of the very way that this country was founded, and the way it continues to exist to this day. Quote
-TSS- Posted March 18, 2012 Author Report Posted March 18, 2012 Let's ask about this issue this way: Can you get a university-degree in Canada without knowing any French? I asked that question because here in Finland you can't get one without knowing Swedish. Quote
Smallc Posted March 18, 2012 Report Posted March 18, 2012 Let's ask about this issue this way: Can you get a university-degree in Canada without knowing any French? Yes, you most definitely can. You can get one without knowing English too. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.