News Flash: Dion Can't Speak English!
John Murney had a link up to this article from Larry Zolf about Dion's poor English language skills. In it, Zolf makes a good point about Dion: "a unilingual francophone who in over 10 years in federal office did not save the environment nor bother to learn the English language."
I, as someone who can speak very little French, understand that it is likely quite difficult for someone of Dion's age to pick up English when he became a cabinet minister. However, he was just that: a cabinet minister in the federal government. Was there not opportunity during this time for Dion to learn English? I think that all of our federal cabinet ministers should be taking language training in whichever offical language they are not fluent. In fact, that should probably apply to any MP. The story in Zolf's article about Jean Chretien is one that current MPs should take to heart.
Perhaps people were reluctant to criticize Dion at first about his language skills, fearing that it would be politically incorrect or something to do so. I do not think that it is inappropriate at all. Anyone who wishes to lead the country should be able to speak both official languages fluently. They should also be comfortable in both languages so that they can demonstrate charm, wit and charisma. Not only that, but from a politically advantageous angle, if there is one language that one should be able to grasp at a higher level, it should be English. After all, a heck of a lot more people in Canada speak English, amounting to more anglophone seats that francophone seats to be won.
I predict that come this Spring, or fall or next Spring, that Dion's polling numbers will continue to fall as the campaign progresses and people see him in the limelight struggling to communicate his ideas. But honestly, how many Canadians are really going to vote for someone that they can't understand?
I, as someone who can speak very little French, understand that it is likely quite difficult for someone of Dion's age to pick up English when he became a cabinet minister. However, he was just that: a cabinet minister in the federal government. Was there not opportunity during this time for Dion to learn English? I think that all of our federal cabinet ministers should be taking language training in whichever offical language they are not fluent. In fact, that should probably apply to any MP. The story in Zolf's article about Jean Chretien is one that current MPs should take to heart.
Perhaps people were reluctant to criticize Dion at first about his language skills, fearing that it would be politically incorrect or something to do so. I do not think that it is inappropriate at all. Anyone who wishes to lead the country should be able to speak both official languages fluently. They should also be comfortable in both languages so that they can demonstrate charm, wit and charisma. Not only that, but from a politically advantageous angle, if there is one language that one should be able to grasp at a higher level, it should be English. After all, a heck of a lot more people in Canada speak English, amounting to more anglophone seats that francophone seats to be won.
I predict that come this Spring, or fall or next Spring, that Dion's polling numbers will continue to fall as the campaign progresses and people see him in the limelight struggling to communicate his ideas. But honestly, how many Canadians are really going to vote for someone that they can't understand?
posted by Saskatory at
12:58 PM
4 Comments:
At least he doesn't wear his cowboy hat like a city slicker playing an extra in Brokeback Mountian, like the clown running your show.
By
Anonymous, at 11:02 PM
Good one. That was incredibly clever, anonymous. After all, it is so much more important that one not wear a cowboy hat like a "city slicker" than be able to communicate fluently in the English language. Have you ever been to the Calgary Stampede? Half the people there look ridiculous in their "cowboy gear".
By
Saskatory, at 9:00 AM
Mandatory language training for ministers is a great idea, however I believe they should be fluent in both before being eligible for a cabinet position.
Dion's English isn't good, but his demeanor bothers me the most- you almost want to pat him on the head and gently whisper "that's a good little Stephane" whenever he finishes a sentence, almost as if he needs encouragement.
By
Denny, at 11:36 AM
Just read an article stating that Dion can't speak english because he can't hear. Now I know why I could never learn how to speak Italian
By
Anonymous, at 4:46 PM
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