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Exactly. How many places in Canada, Australia etc. could/would do this? If this isn't diversity then there is no such thing.
They most definitely do this in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.
For example, 911 can handle your call in a ton of languages, intepreters are available for court proceedings for multiple languages, you can get info from the city in many languages, etc.
Well, I was referring to uptake of Spanish language culture and service byt people of non-Hispanic origin. I doubt Iranian families in LA sing nursery rhymes to their kids in Spanish, or pass driver exams at the DMV in Spanish.
Anyway, everything you just described and way more is available in French in Canada. In Quebec, French is usually the main and often the only language of "delivery". Most any person who lives their entire life in Quebec while in Quebec will basically never run into a situation here where they can't get absolutely everything they want and need in French.
To move to Canada, one is required to speak one of the official languages. No such requirement exist in the US as we have no official languages so of course it's not going to be the same. In fact, having official languages pretty much quells diversity because it forces linguistic assimilation and language is closely tied to culture so in a very real sense, Canada is less diverse than the US precisely because it has official languages.
There are many sub-cultures within both of those groups. The media does a good job of portraying them in their stereotypical roles and perpetuating the idea that they all speak the same and eat the same foods. They don't.
To move to Canada, one is required to speak one of the official languages. No such requirement exist in the US as we have no official languages so of course it's not going to be the same. In fact, having official languages pretty much quells diversity because it forces linguistic assimilation and language is closely tied to culture so in a very real sense, Canada is less diverse than the US precisely because it has official languages.
I am fully aware that the United States does not have an official language and I've had this brought up in debates many times, as if this means that it's a linguistic free for all and that states would be free to choose their language(s). The reality is that they aren't free to do as they wish and English though not de jure as an official language, is official in a de facto way, which is almost exactly the same thing.
Yes i agree and let's not forgot that Canada has two main Francophone cultures.
Yes, based on the two historical pillars of two separate colonies: New France (mostly Quebec and points west) and Acadia (mostly Atlantic Canada).
Today there are also subcultures within both of them too: within Quebec of course which is quite large (e.g. some regions are more anglo influenced, some more aboriginal influenced, etc.), and you have the Franco-Ontarians, Franco-Manitobans, etc.
Acadia has differences between NB, NS and PEI. And even within NB between the north and the south.
Exactly. How many places in Canada, Australia etc. could/would do this? If this isn't diversity then there is no such thing.
It is very normal actually, like this site to renew a NSW drivers licence offers the form in 55 languages, and of course if can't speak English to fill out an official form, they relevant government authority will get one for you in another language or provide and interpreter to help you.
It's why the government pays such attention to collecting language data in Australia. If for example you live in a big Arabic speaking area, they will ensure Arabic speaking staff and forms are available, etc.
Australia has no official language either, its very common not to have one.
Last edited by danielsa1775; 01-02-2017 at 09:24 PM..
It is very normal actually, like this site to renew a NSW drivers licence offers the form in 55 languages, and of course if can't speak English to fill out an official form, they relevant government authority will get one for you in another language or provide and interpreter to help you.
It's why the government pays such attention to collecting language data in Australia. If for example you live in a big Arabic speaking area, they will ensure Arabic speaking staff and forms are available, etc.
Australia has no official language either, its very common not to have one.
You can impose a language fairly forcefully and effectively without actually making it official in law.
There are many sub-cultures within both of those groups. The media does a good job of portraying them in their stereotypical roles and perpetuating the idea that they all speak the same and eat the same foods. They don't.
Off topic--I love Quebec. One of my favorite places in North America.
So true, and quite annoying. What is even more annoying is that foreigners adopt those stereotypes too.
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