[lg policy] A significant moment for the Punjabi language in Canada

Tue Feb 23 15:45:45 UTC 2016

A significant moment for the Punjabi language in Canada
[image: Photo by Chandra Bodalia]
<http://www.voiceonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/COMMUNITY-SADHU-BINNING-1-Bod.jpg>

Photo by Chandra Bodalia

*BY SADHU BINNING*

*Vice President*

*Punjabi Language Education Association*

*THERE* is much that needs to be done for the preservation and development
of the Punjabi language in Canada. In my view, currently, it is a crucial
time for the Punjabi community to work towards creating a brighter future
for our language in Canada. This moment shall also pass all too quickly,
without a care as to whether it was used wisely or not.

Canada is recognized as an exemplary multicultural country. All cultures
are equally accepted and respected here. However, the biggest drawback of
Canadian multicultural structure is the lack of recognition of other
languages. It is a known fact that no culture can survive without its
language. Yet, at the federal level, only two languages are recognized as
official languages of Canada. As any country is at any given time, Canada
is a project in the making. Once upon a time the French language faced a
tough battle in attaining its due recognition in Canada. Moreover, until
recently, very little attention was paid to the aboriginal languages and
they too are struggling to stay alive. During the mid-twentieth century,
other European languages such as Ukrainian and Italian were unsuccessful in
their efforts to win their place as Canadian languages. In fact, Canada
became a multicultural country in response to their demands but it did not
become a multi-lingual country. Over time, the number of speakers for these
languages declined and now they are no longer in a position to make such
demands.

[image: LOGO PUNJABI]
<http://www.voiceonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/LOGO-PUNJABI.jpg>At
this moment the coincidental position of Punjabi in Canada is such that the
Punjabi community can make an effort to advocate some reasonable changes to
Canada’s language policy. This will be a step in the right direction not
only for the Punjabi language but for other minority languages as well.
This is a historical moment for the Punjabi language but it will not remain
so for long.

Here are some facts:

   1. Punjabi has been spoken in Canada since 1897. However, until the
   early years of the 1980s, the Punjabi community and its language existed
   completely on the margins of mainstream society. Due to an increase in
   numbers and positive changes in Canadian society, the position of the
   Punjabi community has improved greatly but as far as language is concerned
   it is still on the margin. In the 2011 census Punjabi became the third
   largest spoken language in Canada following English and French.
   2. In last year’s federal election more than 20 people from the Punjabi
   community were elected as part of Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government. As a
   result, Punjabi has coincidentally become the third most represented
   language in the present parliament, and a number of key federal ministries
   have been given to members from Punjabi community. However, these facts on
   their own will not have any effect on the situation of the Punjabi language.
   3. Currently, a majority of the people within the Punjabi community are
   from the immigrant generation and they are using the language not only in
   their daily personal communication but also in their workplaces, businesses
   and in the media. The first Canadian born generation is also learning and
   using the language especially in large centres like Vancouver and Toronto.
   It is important to recognize this situation now because it will likely not
   be the case 20 years into the future.
   4. The development in the Punjabi media during the last three to four
   decades is simply mind-boggling. In every Canadian city with a sizable
   Punjabi community such as Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton and a few
   other places, there are dozens of Punjabi newspapers. A number of glossy
   magazines, which are comparable to mainstream English magazines, are also
   published regularly. They include the Punjabi Gurmukhi script to advertise
   jewellery, clothing and other commercial items. These publications are a
   great achievement for the Punjabi language, not only on a national level
   but internationally as well. In some ways, even more remarkable than the
   print media is the use of Punjabi in radio and television. In each city
   there are a number of local radio stations that are owned by Punjabis
   themselves and offer 24-hour Punjabi programs. Some cities also have local
   daily television shows while numerous programs are aired across the nation
   on Saturdays.
   5. The Sikhs are a majority in the Punjabi community of Canada. Their
   relation to the Punjabi language differs from the Muslim and Hindu
   Punjabis. For example, almost every Gurdwara makes a special effort to
   teach the Punjabi language to the younger generation. This is not the case
   with local Hindu temples or mosques where Punjabis form the majority of the
   membership.
   6. There is a vibrant community of Punjabi writers in each city. These
   creative individuals have published hundreds of titles in various genres
   during the last 30 years. A prestigious annual award for the best work of
   fiction in Punjabi has been established in Vancouver to recognize the
   vibrant literary community in the world.

In my view, these are only some of the facts that place Punjabis in Canada
in a suitable position to try and affect some changes to the language
policy at the federal level. It is important to mention briefly that the
need of the time is to have a language policy that reflects the present
demographics of the country. Undoubtedly, that is a tall order and may be a
lengthy process. The second suggestion could be that a formula should be
created that recognizes languages according to their population and length
of existence in Canada.

The present position of Punjabi will not last forever. The current Punjabi
political representation could change, as can laws and policies; therefore,
it is not a given that immigration of Punjabis will keep on increasing. The
next generations of Punjabis will not have the same relationship with
Punjabi. The businesses that are at this time supporting Punjabi media will
eventually start to sell their products by using mainstream media. This in
turn, will directly impact the progression of Punjabi media. Although no
one can predict what will happen in the future, the important thing to
think about is what can be done with the current opportunities that can
have a positive impact on the future of the Punjabi language.

As Canadians, we are very proud of the fact that ours is a fair and just
society. This was created by fair-minded people from a society that forced
Komagata Maru out of Burrard Inlet a hundred years ago. There is no doubt
that some people may have lost their privileged position in society, but by
treating all citizens equally Canada has become a better place for all to
live. Similarly, if other languages are given some recognition this would
certainly make Canada a much richer and inclusive place for all.
We should recognize the fact that politicians do not and cannot take on
issues like these on their own. The responsibility lies with the Punjabi
community who need to express their desire to see their mother tongue
flourish in Canada. The time to act is now

http://www.voiceonline.com/a-significant-moment-for-the-punjabi-language-in-canada/
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