Before moving to Canada the only consideration I gave to language was with regard to accent; I was coming from England so it wasn’t as though I was going to be unintelligible to anyone – or so I thought…
Tag: Language
Is language in danger?
Language is a living, evolving entity, but doesn’t it need nurturing and protection like any other living thing? We seek to preserve species, geographical sites and places of historical interest – what about the tools with which we convey our deepest instincts, fears and truths – the essence of what it is to be human?
A-Z of Canada: B is for Bi-Lingual
Canada is officially a bi-lingual country. English and French are both enshrined in its constitution – although strangely, learning French is not compulsory in the education system. All federal services, policies and laws must be enacted and available in both languages. All MP’s, including the Prime Minister, need to be fluent in them. Canada’s premier, Stephen Harper, routinely fields queries in both French and English at Prime Minister’s Questions.