#1Apr 16th, 2007
Bilingual Nation
#2
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 16th, 2007
Karrie
Without going into the historical reasons - I am viewing from today's perspective. All people should seek to retain their roots, their language, their customs, their entertainment, but it should not be by government directive or taxation of the people to create two of all government regulations, laws, business of the nation, etc.
Bilingualism has become hugely expensive since I first moved to the U.S. and was able to compare the established duality of the government in Canada to the newly enforced bilingualism being born of necessity in the U.S.
It is not working well here, but it is relatively new compared with Canada's heritage.
In sum I believe: duality of any kind is divisive. That is as short a statement as I can make.
Without going into the historical reasons - I am viewing from today's perspective. All people should seek to retain their roots, their language, their customs, their entertainment, but it should not be by government directive or taxation of the people to create two of all government regulations, laws, business of the nation, etc.
Bilingualism has become hugely expensive since I first moved to the U.S. and was able to compare the established duality of the government in Canada to the newly enforced bilingualism being born of necessity in the U.S.
It is not working well here, but it is relatively new compared with Canada's heritage.
In sum I believe: duality of any kind is divisive. That is as short a statement as I can make.
#3
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 16th, 2007
I think it's impractical and expensive, but then the Swiss seem to have made it work.
#5
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 16th, 2007
2 aspects.
In a nation a main language and a secondary language making up 25% + of the population, some aspects of bilingualism need to be implemented.
Federal government workers in Ottawa, Quebec, New Brunswick, and major French centres such as ``St. Boniface`` in Manitoba should be required to know French.
How many people in Saskatchewan speak French only. Very little. And the majority of French people in this country know English as their second language.
In areas with major French population governments should make requirements of their politicians and civil servants to know the language. No huge French population... NO.
And, forcing the language in school, and some idiots wanting it REQUIRED for post-secondary education, is where I draw the line.
Forcing a language onto a society in the education system is wrong. I say make French an available course in every public school, but not mandatory. People who live in French areas will be inclined to take the course, while people in non-French areas, will have it as an option.
Its a waste of tax money, to be forcing 65% of the Anglaphones children to learn the language in elementary school, when most of them will never use it in their lives, or put it to very little use.
I grew up in small town Manitoba, and was forced French from Gr. 4-8, and the kids hated it, and never enjoyed it.
French areas... require gov. workers to know the lang. Education - KEEP IT OPTIONAL!
In a nation a main language and a secondary language making up 25% + of the population, some aspects of bilingualism need to be implemented.
Federal government workers in Ottawa, Quebec, New Brunswick, and major French centres such as ``St. Boniface`` in Manitoba should be required to know French.
How many people in Saskatchewan speak French only. Very little. And the majority of French people in this country know English as their second language.
In areas with major French population governments should make requirements of their politicians and civil servants to know the language. No huge French population... NO.
And, forcing the language in school, and some idiots wanting it REQUIRED for post-secondary education, is where I draw the line.
Forcing a language onto a society in the education system is wrong. I say make French an available course in every public school, but not mandatory. People who live in French areas will be inclined to take the course, while people in non-French areas, will have it as an option.
Its a waste of tax money, to be forcing 65% of the Anglaphones children to learn the language in elementary school, when most of them will never use it in their lives, or put it to very little use.
I grew up in small town Manitoba, and was forced French from Gr. 4-8, and the kids hated it, and never enjoyed it.
French areas... require gov. workers to know the lang. Education - KEEP IT OPTIONAL!
#6
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 16th, 2007
I think my tax dollars can be used on something more important then french as a second language.
#7
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 16th, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by ottawa224
such as something nice for you?I think my tax dollars can be used on something more important then french as a second language.
#8
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 16th, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by hermanntrude
Yes like a tax cut. such as something nice for you?
#9
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 16th, 2007
Here in B.C., it has always seemed so silly. Noone is interested, and a very tiny part of the
province speak French. A goofy law, that is very very expensive.
province speak French. A goofy law, that is very very expensive.
#10
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 16th, 2007
as long as quebec remains part of canada, the bilingualism should stay. It represents the fact that Canada isnt just of english descent, and it benefits many people. It's a great advantage in life to have a brain caoable of understanding two languages. And not just because you can speak two languages
#11
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 16th, 2007
Exactly! Manitoba has our Metis, but where I live maybe 200 people speak French in the entire darn region of 75 000 people! I mean its so dang silly! Nobody speaks french here! Nobody sees it has having any use here! Nobody goes on to use it later in life!
As I have said before, in regions with high French population, FINE - Ottawa, Quebec, New Brunswick, St. Boniface, and other French populations, but not where 95% of the people speak English.
What a waste of tax dollars.
As I have said before, in regions with high French population, FINE - Ottawa, Quebec, New Brunswick, St. Boniface, and other French populations, but not where 95% of the people speak English.
What a waste of tax dollars.
#12
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 16th, 2007
And imagine all those packages with French labels on the opposite side.
How expensive is that... when in my town everyone in ignores the French side of the box... so dang silly.
How expensive is that... when in my town everyone in ignores the French side of the box... so dang silly.
#13
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 16th, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by hermanntrude
If I was going to learn a second language, it certainly wouldn't be french. On the loweras long as quebec remains part of canada, the bilingualism should stay. It represents the fact that Canada isnt just of english descent, and it benefits many people. It's a great advantage in life to have a brain caoable of understanding two languages. And not just because you can speak two languages
mainland, Vancouver area, it would be much more beneficial to know Mandarin, as
they are a big part of the population in that area. I would learn Italian, if I was so inclined.
#14
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 16th, 2007
Me too, I would rather learn Spanish.
That is the most spoken language in the world.
No objection to second language, just having which lang. forced on me.
That is the most spoken language in the world.
No objection to second language, just having which lang. forced on me.
#15
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 16th, 2007
mandarin'd be a useful one, that's for sure. But if a school started teaching THAT, the whole nation would be up in arms saying we're pandering to the immies. Tamarin would probably have a heart attack
#16
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 16th, 2007
I like tamarin, so there!
No, I am saying make languages optional, and if its feasable, make one of the languages French, and the other language offered could be a language representative to the local community.
I am sure Mandarin would be useful for whites in the chinese invested Vancouver.
I was in a superstore in Vancouver, and I swear for a minute it looked like a food market in Hong Kong... they all look the same, and they are awful drivers. But out of all the immigrants asians are the best, they learn the language, and take importance to their education and chance at a better life here.
No, I am saying make languages optional, and if its feasable, make one of the languages French, and the other language offered could be a language representative to the local community.
I am sure Mandarin would be useful for whites in the chinese invested Vancouver.
I was in a superstore in Vancouver, and I swear for a minute it looked like a food market in Hong Kong... they all look the same, and they are awful drivers. But out of all the immigrants asians are the best, they learn the language, and take importance to their education and chance at a better life here.
#17
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 16th, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by hermanntrude
Herman, there are plenty of school that teach mandarin and cantonese in the Toronto area... Visit Markham if you are ever in the Toronto area... it's a minature Hong Kongmandarin'd be a useful one, that's for sure. But if a school started teaching THAT, the whole nation would be up in arms saying we're pandering to the immies. Tamarin would probably have a heart attack
Last edited by DurkaDurka; Apr 16th, 2007 at 11:55 PM..Reason: spelling
#18
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 16th, 2007
Markham is like Hong Kong... hmm, sort of like Burnaby or Richmond in Vancouver.
So infested.
all the whites have been pushed out to Coquitlem.
So infested.
all the whites have been pushed out to Coquitlem.
#19
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 16th, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by hermanntrude
In certain areas of Vancouver/Richmond, the chinese have their own newspapers, streetmandarin'd be a useful one, that's for sure. But if a school started teaching THAT, the whole nation would be up in arms saying we're pandering to the immies. Tamarin would probably have a heart attack
names, etc., good asian markets too. Love all of their fresh vegtables, etc.
Nothing around the west coast even remotely French. The only French people I see in this
area are military personnel who have been posted at our base, but they will be gone as soon as their time is up.
#20
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 16th, 2007
A few interesting facts and stats on Canadian views of bilingualism
Most of these are based on Center for Research and Information on Canada (CRIC) surveys, unless otherwise stated.
2001 census- among Canadian anglophones, 10% are bilingual, with a rate of 7% bilingualism outside of Quebec. That's fairly evenly spread across the country (so West, amongst your 75000 area, the stats put roughly 5250 as French speaking, even if you don't hear it, not to mention the ones in your area who'd be francophone with English as a second)
The Canada wide stat for those who feel preserving English and French as our official languages bears some importance, is 77% as of a CRIC '02 survey.
88% if francophones and 68% of anglophones feel bilingualism is of importance to the Canadian identity. (CRIC '03)
91% of Canadians surveyed support the right to French language education outside Quebec, where numbers make costs reasonable, and 81% support it outside of Quebec with no qualifying statement regarding cost.
55% of anglophones outside of Quebec reported that they feel it is important that children in their province receive French education.
75% of Canadians expressed a desire to learn, or to have learned French.
47% of Canadians feel the gov has pushed bilingualism too much. (CRIC 00)
77% of anglos want their children to be bilingual (CRIC 03)
64% of Canadians, and 73% of immigrants agreed that learning french is an important way to help keep the country united. (CRIC 03)
64% of Canadians and 73% of immigrants agreed that having two official languages makes the country more appealing to immigrants.
Most of these are based on Center for Research and Information on Canada (CRIC) surveys, unless otherwise stated.
2001 census- among Canadian anglophones, 10% are bilingual, with a rate of 7% bilingualism outside of Quebec. That's fairly evenly spread across the country (so West, amongst your 75000 area, the stats put roughly 5250 as French speaking, even if you don't hear it, not to mention the ones in your area who'd be francophone with English as a second)
The Canada wide stat for those who feel preserving English and French as our official languages bears some importance, is 77% as of a CRIC '02 survey.
88% if francophones and 68% of anglophones feel bilingualism is of importance to the Canadian identity. (CRIC '03)
91% of Canadians surveyed support the right to French language education outside Quebec, where numbers make costs reasonable, and 81% support it outside of Quebec with no qualifying statement regarding cost.
55% of anglophones outside of Quebec reported that they feel it is important that children in their province receive French education.
75% of Canadians expressed a desire to learn, or to have learned French.
47% of Canadians feel the gov has pushed bilingualism too much. (CRIC 00)
77% of anglos want their children to be bilingual (CRIC 03)
64% of Canadians, and 73% of immigrants agreed that learning french is an important way to help keep the country united. (CRIC 03)
64% of Canadians and 73% of immigrants agreed that having two official languages makes the country more appealing to immigrants.
#21
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 16th, 2007
Yeah the Asian centres in Vancouver are China Town, Burnaby, and Richmond.
Whites have been shifted out to Abbotsford, Chillewack, Hope, Maple Ridge, Port Coquitlem, Coquitlem, North Van, Langly,
The East Indians and Muslims have invaded Surrey, the whites find their own areas to migrate though.
Whites have been shifted out to Abbotsford, Chillewack, Hope, Maple Ridge, Port Coquitlem, Coquitlem, North Van, Langly,
The East Indians and Muslims have invaded Surrey, the whites find their own areas to migrate though.
#22
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 16th, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by talloola
Same as Markham. I have gone to a few "authentic" chinese restaurants here, nothing like the chicken balls and egg rolls you see at the americanized variety.In certain areas of Vancouver/Richmond, the chinese have their own newspapers, street
names, etc., good asian markets too. Love all of their fresh vegtables, etc.
Nothing around the west coast even remotely French.
#23
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 16th, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by westmanguy
Might I kindly suggest a new wording there West... that sounds awful.Markham is like Hong Kong... hmm, sort of like Burnaby or Richmond in Vancouver.
So ________.
all the whites have been pushed out to Coquitlem.
You're talking about humans, not mice or insects.
#24
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 17th, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by westmanguy
I hope your joking, cause that's not true, lots of whites everywhere, and everyone lives amongst each other quite nicely.Yeah the Asian centres in Vancouver are China Town, Burnaby, and Richmond.
Whites have been shifted out to Abbotsford, Chillewack, Hope, Maple Ridge, Port Coquitlem, Coquitlem, North Van, Langly,
The East Indians and Muslims have invaded Surrey, the whites find their own areas to migrate though.
Last edited by talloola; May 29th, 2007 at 10:54 PM..
#25
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 17th, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by westmanguy
I hope your joking, cause that's not true, lots of whites everywhere, and everyone lives amongst each other quite nicely.Yeah the Asian centres in Vancouver are China Town, Burnaby, and Richmond.
Whites have been shifted out to Abbotsford, Chillewack, Hope, Maple Ridge, Port Coquitlem, Coquitlem, North Van, Langly,
The East Indians and Muslims have invaded Surrey, the whites find their own areas to migrate though.
Last edited by talloola; Apr 17th, 2007 at 12:27 AM..
#26
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 17th, 2007
I am fine with my wording.
Areas with high amounts of Asians have higher car accident rates.
They can`t drive.
Areas with high amounts of Asians have higher car accident rates.
They can`t drive.
#27
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 17th, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by hermanntrude
The school in Ed my kids will be going to is an immersion school, French and Spanish. Perhaps in the public schools people would _itch, but, private schools can teach whatever there's a market for.mandarin'd be a useful one, that's for sure. But if a school started teaching THAT, the whole nation would be up in arms saying we're pandering to the immies. Tamarin would probably have a heart attack
#28
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 17th, 2007
double post
Last edited by talloola; Apr 17th, 2007 at 12:28 AM..
#29
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 17th, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by westmanguy
Well, I can sort of agree with that, even asian friends of mine admit that.I am fine with my wording.
Areas with high amounts of Asians have higher car accident rates.
They can`t drive.
#30
Re: Bilingual Nation
Apr 17th, 2007
I have been to Vancouver 26 times so far in my short life.
I have seen far more asians, and the similar looking houses with 2 floors, 4 windows and a door, in Burnaby and Richmond.
The whites migrate east, and north away from them. Superstore is like Hong Kong market.
I have seen far more asians, and the similar looking houses with 2 floors, 4 windows and a door, in Burnaby and Richmond.
The whites migrate east, and north away from them. Superstore is like Hong Kong market.
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