The Real International Language : Re: FHQ

» rkhen - Re: FHQ

Hi RRCA, nice to see you.

One of the great ironies of existence, the sort that Western thought, with its emphasis on a linear, yes-or-no reality, has so much difficulty accepting, is that human diversity _is_ human sameness. The fact that we're all different is something that we all have in common, thus it's an important factor in our essential sameness.

I entirely agree that French in Canada must not only survive, but prosper and grow. As I've stated in past columns, I am not a separatist. To date, however, I've not yet had the opportunity to establish my true position, which is that it's high time all of Canada bite the bullet and become bilingual. My message to fellow residents of Québec is just that: for the past 20 years, a criminal amount of political, cultural, and financial capital have been wasted on what amounts to a surrender campaign, an effort to allow "the other guys" to steal a treasure that rightly belongs to the people of Québec and all French-speaking Canadians. I'm speaking of Canada, of course. That capital should have been spent making French culture healthier in Québec and re-establishing it in the rest of the country, where it was once predominant. (Ah yes: the whole of Canada and much of what is now the American West was once the private playground of francophones and aboriginals, with very little interference from other communities.)

I would like to see the day when there is a francophone university in Vancouver; when all communities in Canada have a modern public library system, and that system includes a large collection in the other official language; when French-speaking Canadians are served quickly and effectively in their own language in any hamlet in the country; when CPAC no longer broadcasts interpreters talking over MPs during Question Period (very, very annoying). We made a strong statement of intent in 1968, and have spent the intervening period dithering and backsliding. It's time for the anti-bilingualism crowd in Canada to shuffle off south of the border and leave us real Canadians to finish our important work.

A fitting discussion for the St. Jean Baptiste, eh? ;-))

Thanks for your comments, RRCA

-- posted by rkhen