================================================ Subject: Re: Multi-lingual signs... Multilanguages From: "]\\[][G}{T§TÖ®]v[" To: Date: Mon 6 Aug 2001 21:39:18 -0400 ================================================ ***** WARNING - THIS IS LONG AND RAMBLES ***** I'm not exactly certain of their reasoning behind a separation... all I remember is the Bloc Quebeqois (spelling is wrong, I know... I never bothered to pay attention to it before) getting elected as the official party of Quebec, and because of that, they had enough seats to be the official opposition to the Premier party (Jean Cretien... oddly enough, originally of Quebec). One of their first orders of business was to try and put through a vote to declare official separation from Canada, and I'm guessing through that, separation from the Throne. The final count was very close... it was like 50.6% against... big uproars, fights, a riot or two, a lot of pissed off people, and a lot of accusations in parliament... but before a second vote could be done, the leader to the Bloc got the flesh-eating disease in his leg, and they had to amputate... after that, he, and through him, his party, calmed down a lot. My guess as to why they wished to separate could lead back to them just wanting independence from the rest of the country... they were among the largest provinces in the country, and made up a good 30+% of the countries population (Ontario bringing up another good chunk... just slightly larger), and had a strong economy, not having to depend on one single resource (Maritimes = fishing, Prairies = farming)... as you said, they probably felt that the less-fortunate parts of the country were dragging them down some (at the time of the vote, the fishing in the Maritimes was on lockdown, so the unemployment rate in Newfoundland and area was about 75%). I imagine that they were kinda tired about the whole "dual-language" thing, too... their provincial language being French, but their national language having to be English as well as French... but it was odd, cause when I was there, you would pull into a gas station or something, and hear everyone talking almost-perfect English, but the moment you walk in and ask a question (also in English), they hear your obviously non-Quebec accent, and switch to French like they never even knew there was another language they could use (I would love pissing them off by talking to them in English for a few minutes while thy acted like they didn't understand, then suddenly switch to perfect French and start talking in that language instead... LOL). I know that in BC, at least when I was in school, it was a requirement of Highschool graduation to complete a second language up to the Grade10 level, and up to Grade 8, French was pretty much mandatory, but I neither know what the rules are now, or how it ever was in Quebec. All I know for sure is that about 10 years ago there was a big argument between parliament about the dual-language roadsigns, and it was decided that Quebec and surrounding areas would be required to have both English and French, and that is about the same time that the talk of Independence started. Of course, that's also when some pretty classic jokes about Quebec started too. Off-subject, but still about language... one quick question. I know that Columbus didn't actually discover America, but a lot of you Americans seem to credit him for it anyway... and that's all cool... but I have a question regarding this. Everyone is discussing how English should be America's national language because that's where the founders apparently originated... but why not consider one of the Native American languages, or even Spanish (since Columbus sailed under the name of the Spanish Queen)? English wasn't the majority language in your country till long after... why now must it be the "official national and (according to Jackson) only language spoken in the USA"? Just something that's had me wondering the past few days from watching all the comments. ¤]\[][G}{T§TÖ®]v[¤ http://NightStorm.isyourgod.com/ NightStorm_Draco_@hotmail.com NightStorm_Draco@creedlist.com NightStorm@isyourgod.com I've seen the wicked fruit of your vine, Destroy the man who lacks a strong mind Human pride sings a vengeful song Inspired by the times you've been walked on My stage is shared by many millions, Who lift their hands up high because they feel this We are one We are strong, The more you hold us down the more we press on What if you did? What if you lied? What if I avenge? What if eye for an eye? ----- Original Message ----- From: Creed - 7M3 - Live To: Sent: Monday, August 06, 2001 8:50 PM Subject: Re: Multi-lingual signs... Multilanguages > BTW Scott - Since you said that you were in Quebec before. If I > understood you correctly. Is the issue of Language a major reason that > Quebec desires it's Status as an independent nation? > I realize that they are strong economically and feel burdened by > Canadian controls. Plus being suppositioned into supporting other areas > of Canada financially. > > Jim To unsubscribe or change your preferences for the Creed-Discuss list, visit: http://www.winduplist.com/ls/discuss/form.asp