Bilingualism in Canada

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Bilingualism in Canada

• By Nathan Bonar

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What is Bilingualism?

• Using or able to use two languages, especially
  with equal or nearly equal fluency.
• Using two languages in some proportion in order
  to facilitate learning by students who have a
  native proficiency in one language and are
  acquiring proficiency in the other bilingual
  training bilingual education.

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What are some other bilingual or multilingual
countries?

• Belgium Dutch, French, German
• Switzerland German, French, Italian
• Luxembourg Luxembourgish, German, French.
• These are just to name a few.

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When did Canada become bilingual

• In 1982 they instituted the Canadian Charter of
  Rights and Freedoms.
• This was used for reinforcing language rights in
  Canada.

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What is in the Charter?

• English and French languages have equal status
  and rights in their use by all federal
  institutions.
• Everyone has the right to use either English or
  French in the Parliament of Canada.
• Everyone has the right to appear before court in
  either French or English.

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Charter Continued

• And lastly, the public has the right, in
  circumstances set out in the charter, to be
  served in English or French when dealing with
  federal institutions.

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What are some of the language laws in Canada?

• The Lavergne Law of 1910 this law put all bus
  and train tickets in French.
• Bill 22 1974 This bill made French Quebecs
  official language over English.
• Bill 101 (Charter of the French Language) 1977
  This bill put all visible signs into French.

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Language Laws Continued

• Official Languages Act 1988 This Act ensured
  that federal institutions respect the rights
  guaranteed by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

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Why does Quebec feel the need to keep the French
language?

• The Quebecois do not want to be assimilated
  linguistically into a culture that only speaks
  English.
• The Quebecois also want to keep their French
  heritage which is so rich in the provinces of
  Eastern Canada.

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What do Eastern Canadians think of Bilingualism?
(Dr. Angie Mackewn)

• Dr. Mackewn is from northern Ontario.
• She is not a Francophone but she is able to speak
  French.
• She stated that there are fewer signs in French
  than English.
• You only have to be bilingual to get a government
  job in Ontario.

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Eastern Canada Continued

• She said that they have a different legal system
  and different rules that apply in Ontario.
• Dr.Mackewn said that she likes the fact that
  Canada has two official languages and also that
  bilingualism separates Quebec from Canada.

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What do Western Canadians think of Bilingualism?
Dr.James Smart

• Dr.Smart is from British Columbia.
• He is not a Francophone and can only speak basic
  French.
• He said that there are no road signs in French
  and that the only place you find French signs is
  in a federal place. (i.e. an airport)
• He also said that having a background in French
  can only be a minor help unless you want a
  government job.

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Western Canada Continued

• He said the biggest difference between Quebec and
  BC is the social difference of more Anglo
  protestants like Scots Irish.
• There is a large Asian Population in BC.
• And there is more of a new world feeling in BC.
• He also stated that many households in BC were
  anti-French.
• Dr.Smart says that Canada is richer for having
  two languages.

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These are some linguistic charts of the languages
in the Provinces

• The following are some charts that I found that
  give a break down of the Top Five Languages in
  each of the provinces.

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Newfoundland Labrador
16
New Brunswick
17
Nova Scotia
18
Quebec
19
Ontario
20
Manitoba
21
Saskatchewan
22
Alberta
23
British Columbia
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Bibliography

• www.candaianheritage.gc.ca/progs/lo-ol/pubs/mythes
  /english/abc.html
• http//www.cbc.ca/news/interactive/census_cdnlangu
  age/
• http//www.answers.com/topic/bilingual
• Dr. Angie Mackewn
• Dr. James Smart