After last month's federal election, multiculturalism will not be a dirty word anymore. We can celebrate being who we want to be, and continue to participate in every aspect of society as proud Canadians. Now that sounds like the Canada I love.
For decades Canadians have been championing multiculturalism, and that is a good thing. However, I think we are also ready to start championing multilingualism. Our country is a bilingual one, and that is a good start. How about acknowledging that the languages we speak (much like the cultures and the faiths we practice) also have some value. In its own special way, the book The Best of All Worlds -Le meilleur monde imaginable does just that.
When a child sees her heritage language in the pages of a book, and that same book is shared at school, in the library, and with friends, then the child instinctively understands that his language is valued and his culture is important, not only within the confines of the home and family, but just as importantly within the larger multicultural, multilingual society.
I hope you will pick up a copy of the book to see what I mean. The Best of All Worlds - Le meilleur monde imaginable is available at AtOnePress.ca, Rainbow Caterpillar Bookshop or your local library. Ask for it. The stories will make your heart dance.
For decades Canadians have been championing multiculturalism, and that is a good thing. However, I think we are also ready to start championing multilingualism. Our country is a bilingual one, and that is a good start. How about acknowledging that the languages we speak (much like the cultures and the faiths we practice) also have some value. In its own special way, the book The Best of All Worlds -Le meilleur monde imaginable does just that.
When a child sees her heritage language in the pages of a book, and that same book is shared at school, in the library, and with friends, then the child instinctively understands that his language is valued and his culture is important, not only within the confines of the home and family, but just as importantly within the larger multicultural, multilingual society.
I hope you will pick up a copy of the book to see what I mean. The Best of All Worlds - Le meilleur monde imaginable is available at AtOnePress.ca, Rainbow Caterpillar Bookshop or your local library. Ask for it. The stories will make your heart dance.