The global French-speaking community recognizes the need to better coordinate its efforts to assert the vitality of French in a world increasingly dominated by English. In pursuing this goal, the Francophone world has developed an identity crisis. Defenders of French face difficult questions about the relationship between language and culture and…

Describes immersion education as practiced in Canada, outlining immersion programs' background, structure, methodology, and outcomes. Suggests that, to achieve the outcomes of immersion education developed for majority language groups, some minority language groups may require programs beginning in the first language and continuing in both the…

Defines the general area of France where Occitan is spoken and the area where the information was collected. States that Occitan monolingualism has almost totally disappeared and describes the relationship between Occitan and French as one of bilingualism with diglossia, with the distribution of Occitan speakers being strongly influenced by…

Considers the position of Franco-Ontarians studying to become French-medium teachers. They are a minority, subordinate to the English-speaking population, and in many ways subinordinate within the francophone community. Using contrasts between primary (home-based) and secondary discourses, and between teaching-as-apprenticeship and…

Discusses bilingualism in Canada in terms of rationale, demographic trends and reactions, and government action. Argues for a positive view of cultural diversity and for tolerance and understanding of linguistic differences. (Author/MJL)

This report addresses the question of whether Canada is really a bilingual, multicultural nation, or a bilingual, monocultural nation, or a bilingual, bicultural nation. The history of Quebec is outlined and a comparison is made between the ethnic and linguistic composition of Quebec and the rest of Canada, showing that the percentage of people of…

The Franco-Ontarian curriculum was greatly strengthened in Ontario's elementary and secondary schools in the 1960s. However, these gains are now threatened by declining enrollment, assimilation in the home, economic pressures, population displacement, lack of accessible French institutions of higher education, and exogamy. Responses to a…

The image problems and enrollment challenges facing Canada's francophone university centers are outlined, and measures for improving public perceptions of the minority-language institutions are discussed. (MSE)

The problem of language in Quebec today is not unique. All over the world, the problem of language comes up as a result of the organization of life in society. It is useful, therefore, to examine the role language has played in the evolution of societies from tribes to nations. In this way, the similarities and differences between the situation in…

Discusses the effects of government language policies in Belgium, which have divided the country into Dutch-, French-, and German-speaking areas with no linguistic rights for speakers of other languages, except in multilingual Brussels. Maintains that the federalization of the Belgian state has not settled the country's linguistic strife. (33…

The existing minority language situation of French Canadians in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime Provinces is examined, highlighting the historical, political, social, and educational aspects of bilingualism in Canada. Additive and subtractive forces in Canadian bilingualism and biculturalism are outlined for comparison. French…

The political and pedagogical issues arising from language legislation, language policy, and language planning in a bilingual country such as Canada are analyzed. The socio-historical context of bilingualism in Canada is reviewed, and Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (appended), which imposes a constitutional requirement…

Examines the potential for autonomous learning programs to address the problems of first (minority) language loss. The article outlines personal, political, and practical arguments for preventing such loss during second-language acquisition; describes an autonomous program in Canada addressing these issues; and discusses the implications of these…

While the Official Languages Act of Canada mandates the governmental use of English and French, it is up to regions, localities, and individuals to develop the attitudes and policies which will safeguard the rights of language minorities (including English speakers in francophone areas) and discourage the cultural isolation of language groups. A…