Graham Fraser: Official bilingualism takes political courage

[Harold F. Schiffman]

Official bilingualism takes political courage: author

Last updated Apr 3 2006 12:36 PM ADT
CBC News

A Canadian author and journalist says New Brunswick is setting a good
example of how bilingualism can work. Graham Fraser, author of Sorry, I
Don't Speak French, will speak about what he calls Canada's bilingualism
crisis at Mount Allison University on Monday night. Fraser is a national
affairs writer for the Toronto Star and adjunct professor in Carleton
University's School of Journalism and Communication.

Fraser's book argues that Canadians cannot afford to ignore language
issues, and warns that Canada's survival depends on having effective
language policies that respect both French and English speakers. Fraser
says the problem is many Canadians misunderstand the nature and definition
of legislated biligualism. He says contrary to what many people think,
Canada's Official Languages Act doesn't mean everyone has to speak both
English and French, only that everyone has the right to be served in the
language of their choice.

Fraser says New Brunswick's decision to declare itself the only officially
bilingual province shows the rest of the country how to create a tolerant
society. "I think it involved real political courage on the part of the
political leaders who made this decision, and the recognition on the part
of government that the Acadian community had to be served in both
languages. This fact had to be officially recognized, and one of the other
provinces have been prepared to do that." Fraser says part of the problem
is that many people feel like they're being forced to learn a second
language, when that's not the point of bilingualism at all. He says the
goal of Canada's language policy is that all Canadians have the option to
be served in English or French.

Fraser also has some advice for the federal government: instead of
focusing on training civil servants to speak both languages, money would
be better spent connecting young anglophones and francophones. "Make it
very easy for high school students and university students to spend time
either a school year or a summer job working in a community of the other
language, twin municipalities, do everything possible to connect
Canadians." Fraser says Canadians have to embrace the idea of learning a
second language, instead of resenting it.

http://www.cbc.ca/nb/story/nb_bilingual20060403.html