Strict language rules for immigrants proposed

CDNBear

Custom Troll
Sep 24, 2006
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Ontario
That said, once they learn it, if they are out in the english speaking public then they should speak the language of the country - that being mostly english with a little french tossed in.
Are you at all aware of what you're saying here?
 

VanIsle

Always thinking
Nov 12, 2008
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Are you at all aware of what you're saying here?
I am completely aware of what I am saying. It' not my fault you don't have the ability to understand it yourself.

The same way EAO isn't aware he's anti Jew8O
You are trying to say I am racist. Think what you want. I don't care. I've never seen you and CB have much understanding of anyone but yourselves. I have a nephew from Quebec who does not feel it is necessary to speak French when he's not with French speaking people. I have two nieces and a nephew from Thailand who do not feel it is necessary to yell when they talk to each other. They speak very quietly. Sometimes, when they are visiting our home, they choose to speak Thai. They do so very quietly. They make their private conversation between them, just between them and they often speak in Thai. I believe my nephew speaks to his wife in Thai so that she easily understands what he is saying but - they do live in Thailand so it might just be that even though my nephew (and the children) are Canadian born, they speak fluent Thai and might do it without realizing that they are. Who knows? I don't try to listen to the gist of their conversation. For the most part, they speak English but they don't live in Canada. Everyone who speaks a different language will automatically revert to the familiar but I still believe they should do their best to speak english. You learn a language best by speaking it. I wish we had been made to learn french growing up but after only one very basic year of french in school, it was a choice and very few chose to take the class. Being a bi-lingual country, we should have had to learn it.
 

DaSleeper

Trolling Hypocrites
May 27, 2007
33,676
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Northern Ontario,
You are trying to say I am racist.

Don't you put words in my mouth.....
What I'm saying is that you're a language snob, that anyone in your presence should speak your language...

My first language being french, I have met many such people in my lifetime, enough to recognise the subtle and sometimes not so subtle inuendos and then... the defensiveness that comes out when confronted.
 

VanIsle

Always thinking
Nov 12, 2008
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Don't you put words in my mouth.....
What I'm saying is that you're a language snob, that anyone in your presence should speak your language...

My first language being french, I have met many such people in my lifetime, enough to recognise the subtle and sometimes not so subtle inuendos and then... the defensiveness that comes out when confronted.
Hmm - maybe you're right. I've never thought of it that way. But - not a bad one. I just don't like the - what appears to be - yelling and arguing in another language.

Do you know Edith Bunker?
About as well as you know me.
 

lone wolf

Grossly Underrated
Nov 25, 2006
32,493
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In the bush near Sudbury
Hmm - maybe you're right. I've never thought of it that way. But - not a bad one. I just don't like the - what appears to be - yelling and arguing in another language.


About as well as you know me.
What I know about you is the thousands upon thousands of all-about-me posts throughout these forums. Personally, I know not a thing about you....
 

VanIsle

Always thinking
Nov 12, 2008
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What I know about you is the thousands upon thousands of all-about-me posts throughout these forums. Personally, I know not a thing about you....
LW - it's an easy solution. Don't read them. I will never know and even better - I won't care.
 

VanIsle

Always thinking
Nov 12, 2008
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:roll: Interpret as you wish....
Okay - what did I mis-interpret? Are you simply suggesting that everyone posts thousands upon thousands of "all about me" or are you saying that I only talk about me. I haven't been on her long enough to have thousands of posts. I avoid political and religious threads. People get too mean in those threads so it's easier to stay away from something I already know I'm not well versed in anyway. I don't watch cooking shows so I don't get into those kind of threads often either. I do talk some about police forces but I'm often asking questions across the table and typing in an opinion that isn't necessarily my own.
I come on here because I'm bored. There isn't much here so - I leave because I'm bored. End of story.
 

petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
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Low Earth Orbit
Language is a fun hobby. Learn a foreign language so you do understand. Watch nothing but Cathay for a 6 months or Brazilian soccer channel and you pick it up pretty quick.
 

VanIsle

Always thinking
Nov 12, 2008
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Language is a fun hobby. Learn a foreign language so you do understand. Watch nothing but Cathay for a 6 months or Brazilian soccer channel and you pick it up pretty quick.
Soccer! That's worse than watching hockey. I thought you didn't own a TV. Anyway, I watch very little TV. About 3 hours a week. My TV is often being used by our eldest grandson. The other kids are downstairs using the Wii or watching the TV down there. There are no day shows that I watch. I would have to find another avenue to learn a language and I would have to feel inclined to do so as well. If I was going to try to learn any language, it would be French. It is 1/2 of the official languages in this country as you well know. Seems like it would be the best to make an attempt at and even the worst of us knows some words in French.
 

petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
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I have a TV I just don't watch it. It's Cliffy who is TV (AntiChrist free). Brazilian soccer might not be all that bad. I'm sure there is some masculine eye candy to see as well as learning a language.
 

VanIsle

Always thinking
Nov 12, 2008
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I have a TV I just don't watch it. It's Cliffy who is TV (AntiChrist free). Brazilian soccer might not be all that bad. I'm sure there is some masculine eye candy to see as well as learning a language.
That's funny! :lol: I'm really into the "eye candy" these days alright. Hubby would say "he said what?"
 

Cliffy

Standing Member
Nov 19, 2008
44,850
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Nakusp, BC
TV has been the ruination of our civilization. Rots the soul as well as the mind.

I'm sure that if you want to learn a second language there are some free on line courses available.
 

dumpthemonarchy

House Member
Jan 18, 2005
4,235
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www.cynicsunlimited.com
While I can agree with requiring them to KNOW English, I take issue with requiring them to speak it. If people around me are spealking in another language, whether English, French, mandarin or Ojibwe, that's entirely their business. The reason they should be expectyed to know the official languages is to ensure they can function in an official capacity (such as in reading their ballot, communicating to the police, paramedics, in court, on a jury, etc). What goes on outside official contexts is each person's business. I'll have sex in the language of my choice, thank you very much.

It can be a matter of scale, when we start to hear many foreign languages around us, then something might be amiss. But when does a little bit become too much? Maybe these days as ethnic enclaves proliferate and assimilation/integration of immigrants slows down to create the homegrownToronto 18.

As long as people can speak to govt officials, everything is okay? No. What are we, just ciphers? Speaking English is more than a legalistic, governmental issue. It involves the public, you know, the people. You might want to come down from your ivory tower for a bit and meet some real people. Who do not worry about living their life in an official capacity so they can function properly with govt employees. Try not to be so standoffish.

Canada had a language, English, used in the country even before the govt made it official. How could that be?
 

Retired_Can_Soldier

The End of the Dog is Coming!
Mar 19, 2006
12,415
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Alberta
I don't see the issue. The language barrier hurts no one but the initial immigrant and it usually sorts itself out within one generation. No fuss no muss.




Come drive the 401 Karrie
 

DurkaDurka

Internet Lawyer
Mar 15, 2006
10,385
129
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Toronto
It can be a matter of scale, when we start to hear many foreign languages around us, then something might be amiss. But when does a little bit become too much? Maybe these days as ethnic enclaves proliferate and assimilation/integration of immigrants slows down to create the homegrownToronto 18.

As long as people can speak to govt officials, everything is okay? No. What are we, just ciphers? Speaking English is more than a legalistic, governmental issue. It involves the public, you know, the people. You might want to come down from your ivory tower for a bit and meet some real people. Who do not worry about living their life in an official capacity so they can function properly with govt employees. Try not to be so standoffish.

Canada had a language, English, used in the country even before the govt made it official. How could that be?

How can language bother you that much? Institutions are english, business is english. Who cares if Chinese people want to speak cantonese or mandarin between each other?
 

VanIsle

Always thinking
Nov 12, 2008
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TV has been the ruination of our civilization. Rots the soul as well as the mind.

I'm sure that if you want to learn a second language there are some free on line courses available.
I don't agree Cliff. Lots of TV is very informative and lots of it is just rot. Depends on what you choose to watch. The current ruination of society is the computer. A vast source of knowledge and a vast source of rot - far more than TV. It has literally crushed society. As Canadian Soldier said in another thread, talking to a human these days is rare (not his exact words). He may have meant via the telephone but really - talking with humans these days is rare - face to face I mean. Talk about an idiot box - this screen I'm staring at is exactly that and we are all guilty.
I don't believe there is near as much rot on TV as there is on the internet. You can google something that is a completely innocent topic and wind up with a page full of porno. That doesn't happen on TV unless you purchase it. Look at what happens here - someone makes a statement and if we want proof - we just google it. Encyclopedia Google!!

I don't want to learn another language. This one is hard enough to understand sometimes. People can turn anything you say into something they think they've read or assume you mean, without ever asking for clarification.