Recently I had the opportunity to visit the cities of Toronto and Montreal- two of Canada's most historic and pre-eminent cities. Denizens of Halifax and Vancouver may take exception to that statement, but the east and west coast sites play a different role in the Canadian dynamic. Less than six hours apart by highway, central Canada's two largest cities are pivotal to the economic, political, and cultural milieu of the nation. They are a study in contrasts though. Toronto is a magnet to the multicultural fibers that run through Canada, attracting new immigrants, and the ambitious from all walks of life. While it is a diverse city, the common thread is the ability to function in English. It is the lingua franca (common language) that connects all people and cultures despite the variety of ethnicities. There are no doubt many of its inhabitants who have a second language capacity, but it cannot be guaranteed to be French, one of Canada's two official languages.
By contrast, arriving in Montreal one is immediately aware of the dual language capacity of this unique city. Over the airwaves, on the advertising signs, and in the everyday chatter, the city expresses its bilingualism in a variety of forms. The French language presence is obvious and the city embodies the francophone with ease. It also accommodates those of us who are primarily English-speaking. Yet, I find that whenever I am in Montreal I feel compelled to try my luck at French. To be sure, I mangle the grammar and test the resolve of even the most patient shopkeeper, but invariably I am indulged and the communication gap is bridged. It is always reassuring to know that even if I can't communicate clearly in French, the average Montrealer will be able to communicate in English. This fact alone compels me to want to develop my own language skills further, and makes me proud to live in a country that at least attempts to be bilingual, if only in name rather than numbers.
C'est la vie.
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