The Role of Language OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ACT 1969

The Role of Language

OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ACT - 1969 Canada officially has two languages: English and French. PURPOSE: • Equality of English and French in Parliament, government and federal administration • Preservation and development of official language communities in Canada • Equality of English and French in Canadian society

UPDATED – 1988 “New” Official Languages ACT: Ø stated government’s commitment to promote bilingualism within Canadian society Ø to support development of official language minority communities

I think it is grand that Canada is a bilingual country. I have no problem with the fact that some of our highway signs are in English and French, or our cereal boxes, or our government documents. It adds a flavour that’s uniquely Canadian and, frankly, I think it’s past time for the United States to admit its own bilingualism and start to increase the presence of Spanish on their signs and documents. But the milk box shown above takes bilingualism a little too far. Have a look. Now, the principle of bilingualism is clear: if you have the English term, you should follow-up with the French term. Thus “Nutrition Facts” becomes “Valeur Nutritive. ” Cool! A French lesson on a box. But what is the French term for “Calories”? “Calories. ” Thus, I have to ask: isn’t putting “Calories/Calories” on the box just a little bit repetitive? Or “Sodium/Sodium”? “Calcium/Calcium”? I’m all for equal prominence of English and French, but if the English and French words are actually equal, why not roll them into one another? To which Erin replies: yeah, but think of how the country will react. Quebeckers will say that the French word was eliminated and the West would say that the English word was eliminated, all in the name of pushing an agenda of French/English assimilation. This is why Canadians get their national toothache. So drink your milk.

MINORITY LANGUAGE EDUCATION RIGHTS 1982 Constitution Act includes Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Section 23: Gives parents who belong to the official language minority in their province, the right to have their children education in their first language. Francophone parents in any province and Anglophone parents in any province can all access that right, where the number of students allows for this. In Quebec, Anglophone parents can access this right even if there is only one student.

Assembly of First Nations (AFN) = political organization in Canada GOALS: Ø Promote political, social and economic goals of the 630 First Nations communities in Canada Ø Protecting and promoting First Nations languages and cultures.

STRATEGIES FOR PROMOTING LANGUAGES AND CULTURES THAT ARE THREATENED: Ø Promote awareness through journalism, websites. Ø Overseas Korean Student Summer School assisted by Korean Ministry of Education: host programs in North America to ensure American-born Koreans maintain connection with mother country to maintain identity, language and culture. Ø Government funding of cultural groups and celebrations (e. g. Canada day) Ø Promotion of cultural identities in schools, at home, within community (e. g. Italian -Canadian Club, German-Canadian Club, etc. ) Ø CULTURAL LEGISLATION IN CANADA l To promote Canadian cultures through: broadcasting (CRTC, Can. CON, CAVCO) l Aboriginal and Asian cultures in Canada promote languages and cultures

FIRST NATIONS, MéTIS, AND INUIT IN CANADA: CULTURAL REVITALIZATION GOAL: To promote and revitalize their languages and cultures 1) Education (languages, arts, history) 2) Political lobbying and activism (defending and working toward First Nations rights) 3) Promotion of cultural events and use of media to reach wider audience (e. g. Aboriginal Peoples Television Network APTN)