What does 'assimilation' mean, though .... is it all humans within a nation-state choosing to narrow themselves to unilingual capability, i don't think so
We recently attended here in BC a baptism, in the full mexicana tradition ... quite an experience, thoroughly enjoyable day .... a highly unconventional and apparently semi-nomadic catholic priest with a warm and open manner, excellent ambassador for his beliefs [sprayed holy water on me and i let it go, won't do that for just anybody-g-], that was one thing .... but on language, there were a number represented - english of course, since this is British Columbia, spanish of course since the father is mexicano and the mother has spent years in México, she is fluent in spanish which is the language of the house .... there was coast salish because the mother is a local indian and resident on a reserve, where the baptism took place .... there were czech, russian, cantonese, farsi, and probably more represented due to connexion with a multicultural centre at which the father attended english classes ... there was french because two of the czechs are more fluent in it than english, having recently arrived from France [they seem to find spanish easier than english at the moment, probably from the common latin roots, but also because the husband works with the mexicano] .... there were probably more, these are just the ones i heard spoken, or know of
All these people, whether or not they have already received their ticket of citizenship, are canadian, in thought word and deed, here of their own volition and contributing quite well, eager to work and pay taxes, participate in society ..... none are cutting their roots, but they're making new branches, and that's as canadian as you can get
'The number of languages listed for Canada is 90.' - ethnologue.com |
