dbd33

But that's routine when dealing with organizations in Canada. I don't think the feds are exceptional in this regard. I've asked for someone with a better command of the language when dealing with Bell, Hydro One, Rogers, Customs, the airport scanner people, Harvey's and various departments of Toronto's government. The usual problem is conveying to the non-English speaker that his or her English isn't good enough to deal with the issue at hand without being unduly offensive.

Souvenir

Maybe you're just unlucky. I don't think I've ever had that problem, except with helplines (don't speak either official language).

Souvenir

That's very brave of you.

ann m

Why is there not a universal application of both languages though, throughout all provinces? Road signs (Mouflons sur la route!), all packaging, etc, is in both languages here - not sure about the menu in Boston Pizza for example though. My kids go to a dual school - two classes each of English and French Immersion in each academic year. There are only a few real-life francophone families in this town, but the French Immersion is hugely popular out in my little chunk of Alberta. I understand the popularity to be more "opportunity" than snobbishness. However, many drop out after Grade 4. On a day-to-day basis French is not useful here. And in the playground, the kids all revert to English because they "are" English. However, they do get to leave school at some point with another tool in their employment belt!

I have no aversion to bi-lingualism - I think any extra languages are a great skill to have - I did French and German at school, and French to A level - should have kept at it, but didn't. I would have considered French Immersion for my two kids if they were a little younger, or if I was a little more brave (on their behalf). I figured changing countries was enough to be going on with. In hindsight, Daughter Number One could probably have coped quite well. Daughter Number Two might have become mute.

I get there might be cost implications for dual printing of stuff. I get that the government likes to employ bi-lingual staff. But when it's not applied evenly across the country (for various reasons), why insist on it at all?

Your average Alberta or BC inhabitant is as in touch with Quebec about as much as the average person from Ireland is with Poland.

Not out to stir - just curious I guess.

ExKiwilass

exactly. which is part of why western separation comes up. but that's another thread.



i do think culturally central canada and the west coast don't have much in common. I think we have more in common with Seattle or California, in terms of fashion, climate, types of ethnic diversity, etc. etc. Whenever i see ottawa on tv it always strikes me how it seems like a different country and how the concerns of ontarians don't seem that relevant to BC *shrug*.

but anyway. i mostly watch bc news and pretend bc is a sovereign nation

Souvenir

It's not applied everywhere. There is certain degree of common sense involved, even in federal/provincial government. Highway signs in eastern Ontario are in both languages. As I mentioned, parts of Quebec have signage only in English. Federal government offices across Canada should, in theory, offer service in either language. Many don't because there is simply no need to.

immichaelcaine

I was up in Scot-land once, and was amazed to my very pith that even in the British Isles people still did not speak English. I distinctly remember asking a mutton-chopped denizen the time, to which he sourly replied, "Haaar kinnay haf dinnie noot han twain huurs t'mea wootch!"

Souvenir

An interesting point. Why it's attached to a quote of one of my posts, I do not know.

immichaelcaine

DaveLovesDee

I have enough problems getting past Rogers call screener. It always directs me to the wrong department no matter which one I say.

Is that a Gallic shrug?

Dbd posted an excellent viewpoint on commonalities between parts of canada and the US here. Thanks Dbd.

MikeUK

It was put rather bluntly at work

Bi-lingualism has two advantages in Canada

It'll get you a job in Quebec, or it'll get you a government job

In certain parts of this country having a government job is one of the few ways of getting a decent reliable income...

the other cynical comment was why they try to limit teaching to French in Quebec, its to try to stop or at least limit the talent drain into Ontario and other provinces ( if you can only speak French then your employment opportunities really are limited to the province you grew up in) in our company speaking only English isn’t really the end of the world maybe mildly restrictive, but only speaking French will trap you inside one region with little or no chance of getting above manager and our national head office is in Montreal

Partially discharged

Where in Quebec does this occur. Even in parts of Westmount, there may be odd holdover 'stop' sign w/o the 'arret' but other than that all signage is in french only for most things. Ditto for the Pontiac.

Souvenir

It's in the far west (Beaconsfield? I forget). If you can peek into some of the side streets from the highway, you'll see Arret, Arret-Stop and just Stop.