The
Importance of Language
Remarks by the Honourable
David Kilgour, P.C., M.P.
Edmonton Southeast
Secretary of State (Latin
America and Africa)
Southern Alberta Heritage
Language Association
Calgary, October 9, 1999
I am delighted to be with
you today to address the
issue of Multilingualism
for the New Millennium:
the Economic and Social
Benefits of Languages Education.
Language is obviously a
vital tool. Not only is
it a means of communicating
thoughts and ideas, but
it forges friendships, cultural
ties, and economic relationships.
Throughout history, many
have reflected on the importance
of language. For instance,
the scholar Benjamin Whorf
has noted that language
shapes thoughts and emotions,
determining one’s perception
of reality. John Stuart
Mill said that "Language
is the light of the mind."
Lionel Groulx, a Quebec
historian, put it this way:
"Chacun retient toutefois
que la suprême révélation
du génie national, la clef
magique qui donne accès
aux plus hautes richesses
de la culture, c’est
la langue."
For the linguist Edward
Sapir, language is not only
a vehicle for the expression
of thoughts, perceptions,
sentiments, and values characteristic
of a community; it also
represents a fundamental
expression of social identity.
Sapir said: "the mere
fact of a common speech
serves as a peculiar potent
symbol of the social solidarity
of those who speak the language."
In short, language retention
helps maintain feelings
of cultural kinship.
Here in Canada, we are
blessed with two official
languages flourishing in
a multicultural and "forgiving
society" as our new
Governor General put it
this week. Not only do we
all have the opportunity
to learn about other cultures;
we instill the values of
tolerance and respect in
our children. The Austrian
ambassador to Canada, Walther Lichem, speaks about the
unique "plural identity
capacity" of Canadians
compared to most peoples
who cannot be other than
the culture they were born
in.
Since the adoption of official
bilingualism, we have been
better able to provide to
the younger generations
the tools and knowledge
for them to excel not only
here at home, but beyond
our national borders. This
has allowed them to reach
for the dreams and succeed
in areas they may not have
otherwise. For example,
three of my four children
have studied, or are studying,
Spanish, which comes more
easily after learning French.
(I wish it worked so well
for me.)
Language, of course, is
knowledge, and in our world
today knowledge is one of
the key factors in competitiveness.
Brains and knowledge are
what create the prosperity
and growth we tend to take
for granted. In an advanced
industrial society in an
increasingly interdependent
world, the knowledge of
other languages becomes
indispensable. Just think
of how the advent of the
Internet has changed our
lives. For the last few
years, millions of people
across the world, who share
common interests, are able
to communicate with each
other and exchange ideas.
Not only are they able to
do this due to the various
technological advances,
but also because they share
a common language.
There is, of course, no
denying that the knowledge
of the English language
is one of the most important
tools available to our children.
It is one of the international
languages, a tool of communication
between countries, cultural
groups, various companies
and organizations, communities
and friends.
English is but one of our
official languages; the
other being French. As you
are undoubtedly aware, we
are in the midst of celebrating
the Year of la Francophonie.
This year-long event is
an opportunity for us to
recognize and celebrate
the French culture in our
country. Whether it be the
Acadians, Québécois or the
Franco-Albertan community,
various Franco-cultural
groups across our country
enrich our lives through
their cultures and traditions.
Although much is said about
the importance of the English
language, one cannot overlook
the important economic and
diplomatic relationships
that our country has forged
with other French-speaking
countries. The recent Sommet
de la Francophonie in Moncton,
New Brunswick, reflects
the importance of this language.
On a personal note, I have
been learning Spanish to
aid in the various meetings
I attend as part of my duties
as Secretary of State for
Latin America. I have been
studying the language for
just over two years and
by now must have had a lot
of lessons. My teacher has
been promising for about
two years that after just
one more lesson I will be
fluent.
Seriously, there are rapidly
growing trade links in the
Americas, and learning Spanish
or Portuguese is an important
tool for business people
and officials seeking to
build on those ties. As
we move toward hemispheric
economic integration, the
knowledge of other languages
of the hemisphere is becoming
a highly marketable skill.
We Canadians, have given
our children tools to succeed
in a growing world economy.
With French, Spanish and
English, three international
languages, being taught
in schools across the country,
we are giving the next generation
skills needed to compete
in the international market.
But should we stop at those
languages?
The knowledge of languages
is an advantage that many
first-generation Canadians
hold. One can argue that
it permits them to have
a broader outlook on their
surroundings, as they are
able to look at issues with
a broader perspective.
This openness of Canadians
towards linguistic duality
should not be surprising
to those who have read the
Annual Report 1998
by the Commissioner of Official
Languages. The report points
to a survey, conducted in
1998 by the Angus Reid Group
on behalf of Canadian Heritage
in the majority English-speaking
provinces and territories.
It showed that "the
concept of linguistic duality
has the support of a majority
of Canadians. Of those questioned,
77% believed that it is
important for students to
learn to speak English and
French in school. Moreover,
61% of respondents believed
that having two official
languages counts for a great
deal in the definition of
a ‘Canadian,’
and 67% felt that the ability
to speak English and French
improves job and business
prospects for all Canadians."
The potential for Canadians
to learn more about other
cultures and languages is,
of course, enhanced by the
fact we are a multicultural
nation. Canada’s identity
has often been characterized
as a multicultural mosaic.
Immigrants to this country
bring a vast wealth of knowledge
– not the least of
which is their knowledge
of other international languages.
It is very important that
this pool of linguistic
knowledge not be lost by
the second- and third-generation
of former newcomers. Subsequent
generations will only want
to learn the language of
their parents if parents
take pride in their cultures
and understand that language
is an international passport.
As we approach the new
millennium, permit me to
refer to one of our great
leader’s outlook on
this nation’s future.
Wilfrid Laurier’s metaphor
of Canada at the turn of
the century was that of
marble, oak and granite
:
"It is the image
of the nation I would
like to see Canada become.
For here I want the marble
to remain the marble;
the granite to remain
the granite; the oak to
remain the oak, and out
of these elements I would
build a nation great among
the nations of the world."
These inspiring words are
still ones to live by. As
we enter a new century and
millennium, we must all
inspire to continue to make
this country strong and
competitive, by nurturing
and providing to the younger
generations, the tools to
succeed, helping to make
Canada the continuing envy
of the world.
Thank you. Merci. Muchas
gracias.
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