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Résultats 1 à 10 de 22 (page 1 de 3)
St. Patrick's Day: Irish trivia
A quiz on expressions and facts related to Ireland and the Irish culture and language.Who doesn’t want to be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day? Test your knowledge of the language and culture of the Emerald Isle with this Irish-themed quiz.1. The mother tongue of Ireland’s patron saint, Pádraig, wasGaelicAnglo-SaxonLatin2. This popular Irish toast is Gaelic for "health."SláinteSaúdeSalute3. Someone who is said to have "kissed the Blarney Stone" isa loud drunka generous persona gifted speaker4. A shamrock isa fake gemstonea sprig of clovera brooch5. A popular Irish ring depicts two hands holding a crowned heart. This piece of jewellery is called a ring.ColleenCladdaghCairngorm6. The Irish word for a fairy woman isbansheesleveenleprechaun7. This famous Dublin-born author once said, "I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read in the train."George Bernard ShawJames JoyceOscar Wilde8. Newfoundland is known in Irish Gaelic as "Talamh an Éisc". What does this Gaelic name mean?Rock of the AtlanticLand of FishIsland of Forests9. The Aran Islands are famous for their traditional sweaters, in intricate designs.nitknitedknit10. In an Irish , the upper body is held erect, and the arms hang down straight alongside the body.gigjiggigueSource : Jeux du Portail linguistique du Canada
Nombre de consultations : 12 999
jimchab and his passion for the Francophone culture
An English blog post about an interview between the Our Languages blog and a young Quebecer who is passionate about Canadian Francophonie and who travelled across Canada speaking only French.Born in Drummondville, Quebec, Jimmy Chabot, or rather “jimchab,” as he prefers to be called, is a young video blogger and radio host who is becoming increasingly well known. In the last few years, he’s caught people’s attention mainly through his own personal projects, including preparing the submission to the 2015 Kraft Hockeyville contest on behalf of a small town in Northern Ontario, reporting for Radio-Canada and—his most publicized project—hitchhiking across Canada at 23, carrying very little money and speaking French only. jimchab’s story is inspiring. As a child, he was bullied for many years because he stuttered. His speech impairment isolated him somewhat from others. Speech therapy yielded slim results … until the day he was handed a mike and asked to be the in-arena announcer during a hockey tournament. Something really clicked at that point. He says he then worked hard to calibrate his voice, and today he is very proud to be able to express himself easily. We had the opportunity to interview this very determined young man who is passionate about the French language. Our Languages blog (OLB): What pushed you to take jobs in Kapuskasing, Northern Ontario, and in Winnipeg, Manitoba, so far away from Drummondville? jimchab: Radio is a bit like hockey: you have to start in the minor leagues. I had just finished a training program in radio broadcasting, and Quebec radio stations wouldn’t give me a chance. So I signed a contract in Kapuskasing and got my start there. And that’s when I first realized just how little our history classes in Quebec high schools taught us about the Francophonie outside Quebec. They never taught us about prominent figures like Marie-Anne Gaboury, Louis Riel or Georges Forest! Who were these important symbolic figures who shaped our history? I wanted to learn more, because I felt that I was missing an entire facet of my culture. OLB: You’re described as someone who loves Manitoba. What do you love specifically about this province? jimchab: After my first contract in Ontario, I found a job in Winnipeg, and I explored Manitoba. I fell in love with the Franco-Manitoban culture, and I immediately felt at home! I realized that there was a strong, proud Francophone community in Manitoba and that there were countless opportunities there, with the many events taking place, concerts, radio, particularly in Saint-Boniface. I’ve travelled a lot in Canada, and people think I’m bilingual, but I’m not. I still live my life in French. Although I’ve only been living in Manitoba for two years, I now consider myself a Franco-Manitoban. I’ve found a new identity! Franco-Manitobans stand together in solidarity to defend the French language with pride and conviction. They hold a lot of events so that the language remains very much alive. To give you an example, this year, we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Festival du Voyageur. We’re talking about a celebration that’s about as big as the Carnaval de Québec. It’s like Christmas in February! The event brings together not only Francophones, but also Anglophones who cross the bridge to party with their Francophone neighbours and take advantage of the Festival to practise the French language. OLB: Since you were bullied for many years, one would think that you’d have taken up bullying as your cause. Instead, you’ve chosen to devote yourself to promoting the Francophone culture in Canada. Why? jimchab: I compare the bullying I experienced in primary and secondary school to what’s happening with the French language. I feel that Francophones outside Quebec are made fun of because of their accents and their differences. We need to help the French language flourish, showcase it and give Francophones credit. For example, when a singer like Mélissa Ouimet is a contestant on a popular TV singing competition, why not introduce her as a Franco-Ontarian? Why not talk about her song “Personne ne pourra m’arrêter (La résistance),” which made her famous on social media and got thousands of hits? We have to seize every opportunity to promote the French culture in Canada. OLB: Has travelling across the country speaking only French changed your perception of Canadian Francophonie? jimchab: Francophonie exists everywhere. I visited many places and found Francophones. They’re in Yukon, in the Northwest Territories, and even in Inuvik. Everywhere I went, Francophones were there to welcome me. When you meet Francophones from outside Quebec, you’re treated like family. They welcome you with pride, and they’re always there to help you. There’s one province in particular where I noticed glaring needs, and that’s in British Columbia. We have to hit the emergency button! Many Francophones, mostly Quebecers, have moved to British Columbia. And, already, the children of these adults who’ve moved out West hardly speak French anymore. The children respond to their parents and even to French text messages in English; this issue arises both orally and in writing. And they’re just the second generation. In my opinion, we have to act fast and invest in outreach programs to preserve the French language in this province. OLB: And to wrap up, what can we expect from jimchab in the coming months? jimchab: I’m working on several projects to continue supporting the Francophone cause in Canada. I give talks in Francophone high schools, including in Ontario, and I focus on the advantages of being different. Life in the school yard happens in English. In their eyes, it’s not “cool” to learn and speak French. So I talk to them about the advantages of being able to speak French once they hit the job market, in a province where English is the official language. I also tell them that what might be ridiculed today will become an incredible asset for them later on. As you can see, I continue to spread my Francophone pride. And I invite you to follow me on Facebook and Twitter to see what’s happening in the coming months. Translated by Josephine Versace, Language Portal of CanadaSource : Blogue Nos langues (billets de collaborateurs)
Nombre de consultations : 10 436
Views on bilingualism from 5 Canada 150 Ambassadors
An English blog post that presents the views of Canada 150 Ambassadors on the benefits of speaking both of Canada’s official languages.Since January, notable Canadians living here and abroad have come together as one voice to promote Canada 150 celebrations. In addition to their success, many of these people have something else in common: bilingualism! We asked them what it means to them and how speaking both of our official languages has enriched their lives. Catriona Le May Doan, an accomplished athlete If you enjoy the winter Olympic Games, surely you know speed skater Catriona Le May Doan. Who could forget the 3-time Olympic medalist and world record holder! Catriona entered the French school system in kindergarten. “I saw the benefit early on of being able to communicate no matter where I was in our country, and many places around the world,” she said. For her, being bilingual means having the freedom to go anywhere! She still considers bilingualism to be an asset to her today: “Since retirement, I continue to use both languages for interviews, hosting events, broadcasting and volunteering.” She has enrolled both of her children in French immersion, because she wants them to have the same advantages she had. Yann Martel, a chameleon Yann Martel knows a thing or two about linguistic plurality. Born in Salamanca, Spain, he’s lived in Alaska, Costa Rica, Portugal, Mexico, France and Canada. You’ve likely heard of his novel-turned-movie Life of Pi, an allegory about the adventures of a shipwrecked boy from India. Yann expresses his view of bilingualism in a descriptive way: “When you speak more than one language, you become an artful chameleon, showing one colour in one tree and another colour in another tree.” In his opinion, these colours go deeper than the surface: “They make you not only see the world in a different way, but feel it in a different way.” For him, “speaking 2, 3 languages creates a creative synergy in the mind that is enriching and rewarding.” Jill Barber, a proudly bilingual singer Ontario-born author and singer-songwriter Jill Barber has won several awards. An Anglophone, in 2013, she debuted her first French album, a selection of classic songs from Quebec and France. She told us that, for her, learning to sing and perform in French was like learning a new instrument. “As a performer, my job is first and foremost to communicate with others. The ability to do that in both official languages has not only been a huge professional asset but has also brought me a great deal of personal satisfaction and pride as a Canadian.” Herménégilde Chiasson, a cultural jack-of-all-trades Poetry, theatre, movies and painting … culturally and artistically, Herménégilde Chiasson has done it all! An active creator since the 1970s, he puts a lot of emphasis on identity and social concerns in his work. His home province of New Brunswick appointed him lieutenant-governor from 2003 to 2009. He believes we’re lucky to live in a country that’s the envy of the world. For him, “the conciseness of the English language and the precision of the French language are 2 concepts that are clearly reflected in our way of life and in the way we adapt to the environment.” While the co-existence of French and English sometimes causes friction, Herménégilde thinks “learning the other language is still the best way to solve the problem.” Paul Davis, a fashion designer and businessperson Paul Davis is a young fashion designer who created his own menswear label. After studying fashion design, he moved to Paris to continue his training and start his career in the industry. After that, he opened his own boutique in Berlin. For Paul, Canada has an incredible advantage on the world stage. Not many countries have both English and French as official languages! “French has allowed our company to gain a platform in Paris and in the international fashion industry, whereas English has proved to be the de facto language of global business.” Now we want to hear from you! How has speaking both of Canada’s official languages benefited you personally and professionally? Tell us how being bilingual or multilingual has enriched your life! Translated by Natalie Ballard, Language Portal of CanadaSource : Blogue Nos langues (billets de collaborateurs)
Nombre de consultations : 8 590
Esperanto: A fair international language
An English blog post about Esperanto, a language constructed in the 19th century that continues to be spoken around the world today.What if you could communicate in a fair way with people who don’t share your native language, while promoting linguistic diversity? That’s the goal of Esperanto. It’s a constructed language, which is to say, a language designed through a conscious process. Beginnings The story of Esperanto began when Ludvik Lejzer Zamenhof published the foundations of the language in 1887. Hailing from the city of Białystok, located in what is today eastern Poland (and was at that time part of the Russian Empire), Zamenhof, an ophthalmologist by trade, set out to create a language that would make it easier for people from different cultures to communicate and thereby settle disagreements. In particular, he was influenced by the less than harmonious relations between the Jewish community (of which Zamenhof was himself a member) and the Russian, Polish, German and Belarusian communities that lived side by side in his hometown. Easy to learn Esperanto’s vocabulary is essentially taken from European languages. However, what makes the language so accessible is its very regular and essentially exception-free grammar, which allows each new concept learned to be generalized throughout the language. Creating new words and concepts is very easy, which makes Esperanto highly adaptable to a changing world. These features can also give learners of the language increased confidence in their learning abilities. Here are a few examples of word creation using common prefixes and suffixes: varma [warm, hot] + -et- [diminutive] = varmeta [lukewarm] arbo [tree] + -ar- [indicates a collection] = arbaro [forest] bona [good] + mal- [opposite] = malbona [bad] A fair language, a bridge between cultures How to overcome the language barrier is a problem as old as humankind. As any learner of a second language knows well, it’s more difficult to function in that language than in one’s native language… Hence the idea of an auxiliary communication language that’s easy to learn and “neutral,” in the sense that it’s (virtually) nobody’s native language and therefore belongs to no one. (In fact, it belongs to everyone!). From constructed language to living language But isn’t Esperanto an old utopian idea straight out of the 19th century? Quite the opposite: it’s a living reality, involving very diverse people throughout the globe: families, musicians, writers, computer scientists, and many more. Esperanto today is a language used in person as well as on the Internet, which has in fact given it a new lease on life. Online projects abound: see for instance the Esperanto version of Wikipedia. Esperanto involves congresses and meetings every year on all continents, a network of people willing to host travelling Esperanto speakers from around the world (Pasporta Servo)… There are also numerous books in Esperanto (translated or original works), poetry, music… Esperanto and me I’ve long been interested in languages, as well as in the balance of power between them. I found the concept of using a neutral language for greater equity to be quite interesting, and since I was also curious about learning a constructed language, I decided to learn the basics of the language in 2009. I quickly acquired a reasonably good ability to understand the language, but the real “revelation” came when, in 2013, I participated in my first large Esperanto event, in Slovakia. I had lots of fun there and made many new friends, all in Esperanto! When I came back to Montreal, I decided to become more involved in our local Esperanto activities. I like the feeling of freedom from what could be called “normal” language conventions. Esperanto is a linguistic common ground which allows everyone to be themselves in an interaction, outside of hierarchical relations between languages and cultures… An unlikely success To conclude, I like to call Esperanto both a “human experience” and a “human experiment.” A “human experience,” because speaking Esperanto is a social activity through which one can meet people who have sometimes had out-of-the-ordinary life experiences. And a “human experiment,” in the sense of “something whose result is not known.” Esperanto is a unique, large-scale experiment involving people from all walks of life, who have learned it to help them communicate over the language barrier. Montreal at the heart of the Esperanto world in 2020 Esperanto is alive and well in Canada too! Regular meetups take place in several major cities, including Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa and Quebec City. The World Esperanto Congress is held every year in a different city and country. Montreal will host the 105th World Congress in 2020 (from August 1st to August 8th) and will therefore become, for a week, the centre of the Esperanto-speaking world … which leaves you more than enough time to learn the language! I look forward to seeing you at the World Esperanto Congress in 2020!Source : Blogue Nos langues (billets de collaborateurs)
Nombre de consultations : 8 559
We will remember them: Remembrance Day
An English quiz with language-related questions about Remembrance DayOn November 11, we mark Remembrance Day to preserve the memory of all Canadians in military service who gave their lives in time of war.Choose the correct answer for each of the sentences below.1. Canada’s National War Memorial was unveiled in 1939 by King George VI.his majestyhis MajestyHis Majesty2. The National War Memorial stands majestically in Confederation Square in the heart of Ottawa.down towndowntowndown-town3. Remembrance Day initially commemorated the end of the .first world warfirst World WarFirst World War4. For millions of people, including public servants, Remembrance Day is a .statutory holidayStatutory holidayStatutory Holiday5. Remembrance Day is observed in countries that belong to the .Commonwealth of NationsCommonwealth of nationscommonwealth of nations6. The poppy, seen as a of the sacrifices made by fallen soldiers, grew over the battlefields of World War I.cymbalsymbol7. Remembrance Day was originally called .Armistisse DayArmistice DayArmistise Day8. The poppy has become an emblem of Remembrance Day because of the poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae.Lieutenant-colonellieutenant-colonelLieutenant-Colonel9. “In Flanders Fields” is John McCrae’s .best-known poembest known poemmost well known poem10. During the First World War, Indigenous soldiers served in every major of the war.theatrecinematroopSource : Jeux du Portail linguistique du Canada
Nombre de consultations : 7 710
A conversation with Patrick Chan and Caroline Savoie, spokespersons for the 2019 Rendez-vous de la Francophonie
An English blog post featuring an interview with Patrick Chan and Caroline Savoie, the two spokespersons for the 2019 Rendez-vous de la Francophonie.Youth, energy, the arts … and the French language. That’s what unites the two celebrities chosen as spokespersons for the 2019 edition of the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie (RVF). Caroline Savoie is a singer-songwriter from New Brunswick who already has a few albums to her credit. Patrick Chan is an Olympic figure skating champion who was born in Ontario and currently lives in British Columbia. We interviewed them to help you get to know a bit about them and to share their perspectives on Canada’s official languages. Our Languages blog (OLB): Caroline, you were born in Fredericton but grew up in Dieppe. What does being Acadian mean to you? Caroline: I lived in Fredericton for the first four years of my life. Because most people speak English there, I was already bilingual by age three. At four years old, I was reading in English and French. When my family moved to Dieppe, my French (which is my mother tongue) really blossomed. For me, being Acadian means continuing to speak French, despite being surrounded by English. OLB: Patrick, you’re not “just” bilingual: you speak English, French and Cantonese. What was it like growing up with three languages? Patrick: Challenging! At home, my dad spoke to me in French, and my mom, in Cantonese. I learned my third language, English, with my friends and at the skating rink. Three different languages means three different ways of expressing yourself and communicating. My mom said that, when I was a baby, it took me a long time to learn to speak. My brain was just trying to process the languages and categorize them. But once I got past that, it made things very exciting! I would sometimes share “secrets” with my dad in French so that my mom wouldn’t understand. But then my mom started learning French just from hearing it all the time! OLB: Caroline, you spent quite some time in France when you were a contestant on the television show “The Voice, la plus belle voix.” Did you experience any memorable or comical situations because of your accent or vocabulary? Caroline: Oh, yeah! When I auditioned, they used subtitles whenever I spoke! When I saw the subtitles on television, I said to myself “You've got to be kidding!”, because I had made a real effort to speak clearly while keeping my accent. Later, I found out that it was standard practice to use subtitles with anyone who didn’t have a Parisian accent. For example, on a Paris TV program, someone from Marseille might be subtitled, too. OLB: Patrick, knowing three languages also means knowing three cultures. Do you prefer to do certain things in English and others in French or Cantonese? Patrick: I love reading and watching movies in French. When I have a choice between English and French for a book or movie, I always try to choose French. OLB: Caroline, you sing in both French and English. How has being bilingual helped your musical career? Caroline: It’s cool to sing in both languages, because it allows me to sing anywhere. I’ve sung in Toronto as well as Montreal. I’ve participated in bilingual festivals where I sang half of my songs in English and the other half in French. I’ve even sung in French in front of a mostly Anglophone audience, explaining to them in English the messages in my songs. I try to connect with people, to draw them in. It might even encourage some of them to learn French! OLB: Patrick, people describe the Francophonie as a big family. Have you felt a certain kinship with Francophone athletes you’ve met at Canadian and international competitions? Patrick: Yes, absolutely! It’s helped me forge bonds. When I started improving as a skater and competing more, skaters from Quebec were pleasantly surprised to learn that I understood French. At international competitions, at first, I was afraid I would be isolated, without any connection to the other skaters. But the French language really helped me feel that I was part of the community, not just the Francophone community, but also the skating community. OLB: And to wrap up, what does being an RVF spokesperson mean to you? In your eyes, why is this role important? Patrick: For me, it’s important because I want to continue growing as a Francophone in Canada. The French language has been a part of my life since I was very young. I also want young athletes and the general public to remember that the world of sports involves Francophones as well as Anglophones and that being bilingual opens doors for the future. Caroline: As a proud Francophone, I was so honoured to be asked to be a spokesperson, because the Francophonie is a cause that is really dear to me. I think we need organizations like the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie, the Language Portal of Canada and others to set the example. I’m happy to be a spokesperson, because it gives me a chance to show people that learning a second language is rewarding! Organized as part of Francophonie Month, the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie will be held from March 1 to 31, 2019. We invite you to join in events taking place across Canada and to participate in various contests. You can also read the RVF’s ACTION! blog to stay up to date on what’s happening in the Canadian Francophonie. Come join the celebration! Translated by Josephine Versace, Language Portal of CanadaSource : Blogue Nos langues (billets de collaborateurs)
Nombre de consultations : 6 188
The Canadian Francophonie: 21 years of celebration
An English blog post in which the author provides details on the 21st edition of the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie (RVF) (which takes place in March 2019) and gives five reasons to celebrate.Did you know that the Rendez-vous de la Francophonie (RVF) has been around for over 20 years? Every year, in March, Francophones and Acadians invite Canadians of all linguistic and ethnic backgrounds to celebrate the French language by participating in various cultural and community events. Comedy shows, musical performances, festivals, film screenings and flag raisings are just some of the many activities listed annually in the RVF event calendar. And let’s not forget the RVF’s national contests, which continue to offer exciting prizes that attract thousands of participants, thanks to valuable partnerships with prestigious organizations. You’ll find all the details for the 21st edition at RVF.ca. This year, the organizers of our nationwide Francophone event have decided to extend the RVF until the end of March, because of the many occasions for celebrating Canadian Francophonie! One of those occasions is the 50th anniversary of Canada’s Official Languages Act. Together, we’ll mark this important event in all provinces and territories, in a spirit of unity and inclusivity. On March 20, we’re holding a major national event in the National Capital Region as our way of marking the Journée internationale de la Francophonie. Don’t forget to make a note of the date; the organizers have some wonderful surprises in store for the evening event, which will take place at the new Excentricité Pavilion at La Cité College, in Ottawa. Five good reasons to celebrate Some of you may be asking yourselves why it’s important to celebrate our Canadian Francophonie. Here are a few reasons, but I’m sure that your own pride as a Francophone or love of all things French will provide you with an equal source of inspiration. 1. Let’s step into the spotlight When we live in a minority community, it’s sometimes easy to blend into the majority. With so many opportunities throughout March, let’s take advantage of the RVF to come together! 2. Let’s foster our pride Our language and culture can find expression in a variety of ways: in a book, a movie, a song or a good conversation. Artists and artisans of the Canadian Francophonie: let’s foster our Francophone pride unreservedly. 3. Let’s not forget our past Throughout history, our Francophone and Acadian ancestors accomplished great things to preserve the French language and culture. Let’s take a moment to look back at our past and honour those who came before us. 4. Let’s think about the future Where will our Francophone and Acadian communities be in a year, in 10 years, in 50 years? By celebrating Canadian Francophonie to the fullest, we can also shape our future and that of our family and friends. 5. Let’s invite our neighbours We’re part of a huge, diverse country where everyone can contribute in their own way to our collective happiness. Let’s invite Francophiles, Anglophones and allophones to discover all the riches of our Francophonie. We have so much to share … Canadian Francophonie is now being showcased in many places near you as part of the RVF. It’s time to speak, sing, shout, breathe, inspire, touch hearts and interact in French. Above all, whatever our reasons for celebrating, let’s hope that our love for the French language and for the various cultures that make up our Canadian Francophonie will help us keep the party going throughout the whole year! Follow the RVF on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, using the hashtag #RVFranco. And read the RVF blog, ACTION! Translated by Josephine Versace, Language Portal of CanadaSource : Blogue Nos langues (billets de collaborateurs)
Nombre de consultations : 5 449
Traditional Christmas carols
An English-language quiz on Traditional Christmas carols.During the holidays, many people love to listen to Christmas carols or chants de Noël, as they're known in French.How well do you know your Christmas carols? Get into the spirit of the festive season by playing this quiz!1. Which traditional English carol does Charles Dickens mention in his famous story A Christmas Carol?Deck the Halls with Boughs of HollyGod Rest You Merry, GentlemenI Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In2. The first line of the 18th-century carol "Joy to the World" ends with the words “.”The Lord has comeThe Lord hath comeThe Lord is come3. The carol "O Christmas Tree" comes from .GermanFrenchItalian4. The Latin carol "Adeste fideles" is known in English as “.”O Come, Little ChildrenO Come, O Come, EmmanuelO Come, All Ye Faithful5. In the well-known carol that begins with a partridge in a pear tree and ends with twelve drummers drumming, Christmas lasts for twelve days instead of one. What period does the term “the twelve days of Christmas” refer to?December 25 to January 5December 21 to January 1December 14 to December 256. In the carol "Here We Come A-Wassailing," the word "wassailing" means “.”carollingdancingrejoicing7. The Canadian carol "'Twas in the Moon of Wintertime" was first written in .OjibweHuronCree8. The German carol "Stille Nacht" is known in English as “.”O Holy NightSilent NightIt Came Upon the Midnight Clear9. The carol "The First Nowell" was written originally in .FrenchLatinEnglish10. While not strictly a Christmas carol, the song "Auld Lang Syne" is sung during the holiday season to welcome in the New Year. What famous Scottish poet gave us the lyrics?Robert Louis StevensonRobert BurnsSir Walter ScottSource : Jeux du Portail linguistique du Canada
Nombre de consultations : 4 261
Laugh and learn with holiday songs
An English blog post on holiday songs to help learners of English or French as a second languageDuring the holidays, delve into the large repertoire of popular carols and festive songs, and have fun in your second language! Here are a few simple suggestions. Songs to warm up Many holiday songs will appeal to beginners because they contain few words. In fact, some of these songs are peppered with onomatopoeia! For example, most of the lyrics in “L’enfant au tambour” (“The Little Drummer Boy”) consist of “pa ram pam pam pam.” While I love this song, one detail has always seemed far-fetched to me: the little boy falls asleep on his drum! What an uncomfortable place for a nap! But the easiest song to remember is undoubtedly “Feliz Navidad,” which consists of two English sentences and two Spanish sentences, sung in rotation. I also suggest warming up with these easy-to-follow classics: “Noël blanc” (“White Christmas”), “C’est l’hiver” (“Let It Snow!”) and “Mon beau sapin” (“O Christmas Tree”). Songs to build your vocabulary … and wish list A number of Christmas songs have surprising lyrics. For example, there is the fun and flavourful “La tourtière”! Written in 1954, this culinary glossary of sorts has us dining around the world. But the ingredients for the eventual meat pie are odd and unappetizing: “des machins” (thingamajigs), “des p’tites affaires” (doohickeys), “toute la salière” (a shakerful of salt) … and “des jarretières” (garters)! And then there are all the songs with potential gift suggestions. In “Lettre au Papa Noël,” a little boy writes to Father Christmas, telling him that he wants a bicycle, a ball, a hoop, a sailboat and a set of carpenter’s tools. Realizing that he may be asking for too much, he says that he’ll be happy no matter what he gets. He’s a kind-hearted child, though, and asks Father Christmas to save the best toys for a less fortunate boy. Now that’s the holiday spirit! In English, the award in the wish-list category goes to the popular carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” An excellent memory exercise, this carol lists the gifts a suitor offers his sweetheart. In 12 days, he gives her what amounts to the contents of an aviary (doves, hens, geese and swans) and dozens of musicians and dancers. It’s enough to scare off even the most smitten fiancée! Besides, who gets up one morning and says: “I’ll give her a partridge in a pear tree; she’ll be thrilled!”? Songs to improve your diction As a Francophone, I find “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” challenging. Despite years of singing in a choir, I feel that there are always a few too many syllables in the first line! But if lilting is your thing, how about “Voilà le Père Noel qui nous arrive”? In this traditional Quebec folk song, La Bolduc’s technical mastery of tongue-twisting nonsense syllables like “Tam ti-la-li, ti-la-di de-li-de-lam” will have you dancing a jig in no time! The most courageous French learners can give “La danse à Saint Dilon” a try. If you like free diving, you might be able to keep up with the singer-songwriter. Gilles Vigneault belts out the eight verses in just two minutes, without gasping for air! A closer look at lyrics Having the lyrics in hand is useful, because our ears sometimes deceive us. Who hasn’t heard someone sing “Dawning now our day of peril” instead of “Don we now our gay apparel” in “Deck the Halls”? But even when we understand them, lyrics can be surprising. For example, nobody who has felt the force of a Canadian blizzard is likely to exclaim “Vive le vent!” (“Hurray for the wind!”) in winter. Hurray for the English “Jingle Bells!” Do you enjoy these songs but feel uncomfortable singing along? If so, try the Language Portal’s English quiz and French quiz on carols that you’re sure to know. How about you? What are your favourite tunes? Which songs have become traditions at your holiday gatherings? Which ones make you smile? Adapted by Line Lalande, Language Portal of CanadaSource : Blogue Nos langues (billets de collaborateurs)
Nombre de consultations : 4 102
Bilingual Service Centres: Serving Franco-Manitobans for 15 years
An English blog post that describes Manitoba’s Bilingual Service Centres and outlines some of the main activities that took place in 2017 to mark their 15th anniversary.You’re probably wondering what a bilingual service centre is. In 2002, when Manitoba officially opened the first Bilingual Service Centre (BSC) in Saint Boniface, it was a real victory for Francophones living in the province’s minority communities. A BSC is a one-stop centre where Manitobans can access services in French from their municipality, the province, the federal government and community organizations all in one location! (A great idea, don’t you think? Vive le français!) The first 2 BSCs were launched in 2002. Later, between 2003 and 2012, 4 more BSCs were set up in urban and rural areas of Manitoba. They’re located in regions that are designated bilingual, and their staff can serve you in the official language of your choice. (That’s great! C’est fantastique!) BSCs are unique to Manitoba! They offer a wide variety of programs and services. And each BSC has an information specialist from the Manitoba government who is available to answer any questions from clients, refer them to services and support them in accessing those services. The team also includes a “navigator” for the Interlake Region who works at the BSC in St. Laurent. She provides culturally appropriate outreach services for the Métis community. The navigator serves clients in the official language of their choice, as well as in Michif, a mixed language that combines Cree and French. (Bonjour! Hello! Bonjur!) She also promotes healthy living, cultural and recreational programs. 2017: an exciting year In 2017, information specialists organized or welcomed tour groups for newcomers in rural areas. They also promoted the BSCs at information kiosks during various community events, worked on community projects and coordinated different information sessions for the Francophone community. The information sessions, which were for people of all ages, focused on various legal matters and the protection of citizens’ rights. They provided information on the history of Francophone rights in Manitoba and on different types of fraud. The sessions also shed light on certain beliefs and provided tips to try. Last August, the 50th Canada Games took place in Winnipeg, and the BSCs were there! In a single day, we spoke to hundreds of people at our kiosk. (It was non-stop all day!) People of all ages from all over the province and the country came to find out about our services and play fun bilingual games! Finally, we couldn’t let 2017 go by without celebrating the BSCs’ 15th anniversary. The big day was celebrated on October 25 in Manitoba’s 6 BSCs. Members of the community were invited to talk with us, enjoy some birthday cake, and, of course, share how important BSCs are in their region! (It was truly inspiring!) This year is going to be as exciting as last year. Stay tuned for upcoming news, and visit the website for Manitoba's Bilingual Service Centres! Like the clients of Manitoba’s BSCs, do you have access to services in your own language where you live? How important is that for you? Translated by Josephine Versace, Language Portal of CanadaSource : Blogue Nos langues (billets de collaborateurs)
Nombre de consultations : 3 723