Language Matters

Canadian voluntary associations have proven that they can effectivelymanage bilingualism – this book shows how and why.

Canadian voluntary associations have proven that they can effectively manage bilingualism -- this book shows how and why.

In the 1960s, a study for the Royal Commission on Bilingualism andBiculturalism Commission revealed that Canadian associations were oftenparalyzed by internal conflicts over language. LanguageMatters examines whether this remains the case.The contributorspresent case studies or life histories of diverse associations, frombusiness organizations to groups concerned with social justice. Theyexamine key turning points in the given association’s history andexplore how its mandate, leadership, relationship to the federal andprovincial governments, and shifting options in the politicalarena shaped its response to linguistic diversity. LanguageMatters provides a deeper understanding of the language dynamic inCanada and offers solutions to groups and governments trying to managedifference.