Thanks for beating me to it Tonington.
This is certainly not the first time Westmanguy has lost ALL credibility during his discussions on this forum. Westmanguy: Research topics before you debate them.
Dion can't speak English
- Thread starter Walter
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Thanks for beating me to it Tonington.
This is certainly not the first time Westmanguy has lost ALL credibility during his discussions on this forum. Westmanguy: Research topics before you debate them.
Gosh, I've listened to Dion and it's obvious to me he struggles in English. To say that you've not noticed that is disingenuous. I assume the great majority of Canadians understand English. It is one of the few things that binds us. I also assume a national leader should have good control of this essential language. Granted, Little Jean had his problems but I think they're magnified in Dion. And given the latter's lack of presence, this is not a reassuring thing.
What gets me is Dion's English has gotten worse since he became Liberal leader. I really do think he gets flustered, and can't quite pull the English phrases from the ol' data banks like he could when he was on familiar ground and prepared.
Now, I do not understand why a unilingual Canadian can not be PM, considering the technology available. That said, Dion's language problems are a detriment to the Liberals getting back in power so........I like them.
Maybe I could write him a French to English phrase book a la Monty Python...........you know, the French phrase he looks up is "Considering the importance of this issue to the enviromental plan we have proposed....", which the phrase book tells him in English is "My nipples explode with tingling pleasure......spank me harder.....harder! Please!"
Which would probably only get him more votes in Quebec.
Now, I do not understand why a unilingual Canadian can not be PM, considering the technology available. That said, Dion's language problems are a detriment to the Liberals getting back in power so........I like them.
Maybe I could write him a French to English phrase book a la Monty Python...........you know, the French phrase he looks up is "Considering the importance of this issue to the enviromental plan we have proposed....", which the phrase book tells him in English is "My nipples explode with tingling pleasure......spank me harder.....harder! Please!"
Which would probably only get him more votes in Quebec.
I'm not sure who hasn't noticed, seems most of the people here have said something about his english, be it structure, accent or pronounciation. Sure he struggles with English, so what. He can still convey his meaning, Tenpenny I thought gave a pretty good breakdown for those who claim they can't understand him, which I will posit is disingenuous.
Tonington, I just hope when the next round of debates occurs prior to an election Dion will have received sufficient support to allow him to present himself and the policies of his party forcefully. He won't be able to be scripted. He'll need to be testy, punchy and quick on the draw. I don't see that as possible given what I've seen of his appearances to date. He can't afford to look flustered or maladroit.
Also, that's a pretty creative omission of what I said in that post.Now that was creative sentence construction...........and spelling.......but who's counting....
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Good thing the debates are in both French and English.
I've said this allready, I don't think Dion will be able to win the election. Canadians still respond like clapping seals to attack ads, no matter how noble we want to think we are as a collective. We still fall for that trick hook, line and sinker. The thing is, people sometimes don't know what they think about someone as a leader, a common answer. Instead it's easier to allow someone to make your opinion for you.
Harper has had more time and experience as a leader and I think he has a better political game than Dion does. The fact that we're talking about Dion's english speaking doesn't bode well for him. I don't think it makes a difference when it comes to being a leader personally. Anyone who can't understand him should pick up a Phonics book. Seriously, one word out of twenty or so. Is that so much to misconstrue meaning? The other 19 words make it pretty easy to figure out...
I've said this allready, I don't think Dion will be able to win the election. Canadians still respond like clapping seals to attack ads, no matter how noble we want to think we are as a collective. We still fall for that trick hook, line and sinker. The thing is, people sometimes don't know what they think about someone as a leader, a common answer. Instead it's easier to allow someone to make your opinion for you.
Harper has had more time and experience as a leader and I think he has a better political game than Dion does. The fact that we're talking about Dion's english speaking doesn't bode well for him. I don't think it makes a difference when it comes to being a leader personally. Anyone who can't understand him should pick up a Phonics book. Seriously, one word out of twenty or so. Is that so much to misconstrue meaning? The other 19 words make it pretty easy to figure out...
How's Harpy's French coming along. It sure wasn't very good when he became leader of the Cons. My French stinks and I thought his was worse. He certainly shouldn't have been a leader of a major party if he couldn't speak one of Canada's essential languages very well.
Dion looks timid. Not good. I'm well aware of his commendable work in fighting sovereignists. He writes well in English. He's also bold and persuasive on paper. He's bookish and unfortunately he also seems to bear all the stereotypes that such folks are glibly thought to possess. In person, he doesn't give the impression of strength and confidence that a leader should.
The ONLY thing election debates do is give the media and political commentators more stuff to natter about, and keep CBC busy for a few days. I would suggest that the vast majority of Canadians, ESPECIALLY those who complain about Dion's English, pay no attention whatsoever to the debates.
I disagree. A misstep in a debate played endlessly in the press and media will mortally wound Liberal electoral chances. Mulroney won an election administering a public spanking to John Turner in a critical pre-election debate years ago. The media love such stuff and they'll make sure any stumbles Dion encounters are widely known.
Actually,I believe that Dion's english is improving. I watched him on a cbc program about 18 months ago and turned the TV up and really focused on his words,but I was dumbfounded. He was incomprehensible. Though we all understood him when he whined "that's unfair".
Come on , Jean chretien was 20 times worst, Paul martin can't even handle french and english properly.Dion is pro-canadian at the same level as stephen harper.
shocking, I think Canadians should be proud that their country is bi-lingual and really not worry too much about how good this Dion fellow's French or how bad his English is...clearly English is his second language, but he tries.
Look at my country, look at the birthplace of General Brock, the channel islands has been bi-lingual for centuries. But that doesnt mean french and english inter mingle, the islands have their french parts and their english and never the twine shall meet (unofficially of course) same with England and France, hated each other for so long most probably dont know the full reasons it started, but neither side generally wants to give an inch language-wise and I can not see this stopping considering France currently ffel's it's language is being literally murdered by the use of English.
So cheer up, think about how easy it is to critisise someone for having poor language skills in one that is not their native, but certainly, ask if you'd do any better.
Look at my country, look at the birthplace of General Brock, the channel islands has been bi-lingual for centuries. But that doesnt mean french and english inter mingle, the islands have their french parts and their english and never the twine shall meet (unofficially of course) same with England and France, hated each other for so long most probably dont know the full reasons it started, but neither side generally wants to give an inch language-wise and I can not see this stopping considering France currently ffel's it's language is being literally murdered by the use of English.
So cheer up, think about how easy it is to critisise someone for having poor language skills in one that is not their native, but certainly, ask if you'd do any better.