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I think you are missing the point. This isn't about getting everyone in Canada to learn to speak an indigenous language. It is trying to grow and foster indigenous languages among the indigenous population themselves.
This already exists in NWT which has 9 official indigenous languages alongside English and French. Nobody forces a non indigenous person in the NWT to learn an indigenous language.
English-French bilingualism was never about forcing everyone to learn the other language either.
Now I would be strongly in favour of indigenous language rejuvenation but not sure official language status is the way to go.
I'm not sure how this post fits in with your other post. If the purpose of an official language isn't about forcing the other guy to learn your language, then what does it matter if French hasn't progressed past the cutesy stage? I don't happen to think that's true btw.
There are countries with more than two official languages as I'm sure you know. Sweden has five. (Does Sweden America know all of them as his comment seems to imply he should by virtue of their status?)
I believe Sweden calls them official minority languages.
I'm not sure how this post fits in with your other post. If the purpose of an official language isn't about forcing the other guy to learn your language, then what does it matter if French hasn't progressed past the cutesy stage? I don't happen to think that's true btw.
Oh I totally agree French is way above cutesy status in Canada. We build skyscrapers, huge bridges, subways, most of the personal watercraft used in tropical waters, the huge steel skeletons for many new NFL or MLB stadiums here, etc., in French, these days.
There are countries with more than two official languages as I'm sure you know. Sweden has five. (Does Sweden America know all of them as his comment seems to imply he should by virtue of their status?)
I believe Sweden calls them official minority languages.
They are national minority languages so not official like Swedish.
But this might be a good approach for indigenous languages.
A good start would be to have full fledged education in these languages for kids in these communities. We still do not have that in most places. Not even in Nunavut BTW.
........ there over 60 distinct dialects and at least 35 separate recognized indigenous languages in just BC alone and so many more across the rest of Canada..........
That's a lot of languages to have all government contracts translated into. Driver's tests translated into, added to street signs and signs on government buildings.
Maybe just settle for some government money to support language preservation?
I tell you what, if a few top usage languages were all translated and my tribe's language was not translated, I'd be ticked off and pointing out discrimination. I think that if you do one, you must do them all.
Oh, man, think of all the translators the court system would have to hire.
They are national minority languages so not official like Swedish.
But this might be a good approach for indigenous languages.
A good start would be to have full fledged education in these languages for kids in these communities. We still do not have that in most places. Not even in Nunavut BTW.
Many years ago, I was given the 1198-page A Passamaquoddy-Maliseet Dictionary published by the University of Maine, Orono and Goose Lane Editions in Fredericton, New Brunswick. It weighs about 10 lbs.
You all know a bit of P-M, I can bet you. For example, the P-M word for 'moose' is mus. The P-M word for 'house', 'dwelling', or 'building' is wikuwam (pronounced wigwam).
Mexico has given official recognition to 364 native languages/dialects. Bolivia officially recognizes 36 native languages. Big deal, though. It is largely symbolic. Quebec nationalists were on it with Bill 101, but even after 40+ years French still has low status vis-a-vis English (depending on context). Making a language official, as others posts have said, changes very little "on the ground", unless official status is accompanied by something a whole lot more substantial. Ireland made Irish Gaelic its "first official language" in 1922(?), but where is it today? Yes, a lot of people know a word or two, but it really isn't a spoken language, except in the shrinking Gaeltachts. Its role remains primarily symbolic. But, hey, you can use it at the EU!
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