One-language-only laws (and a bonus)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/jun/14/belgian-elections-language-explosive-issue


As the Belgian elections prove, language can be a divisive issue

Each nation's attachment to its language puts it on the frontline of national and international disputes

Gary Younge

guardian.co.uk, Monday 14 June 2010 20.30 BST

the bonus: The top 10 films in Belgium, 2007!:

...

Often, the greater the geographic proximity in which these languages are spoken, the greater the tension. But where Flemish culture is concerned, the primary threat is not really French but American culture and the English language. A quick look at what Belgians go to watch at the cinema illustrates this perfectly. In 2007, the top 10 most popular films in Belgium were:

1 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

2 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

3 Ratatouille

4 Shrek the Third

5 Spider-Man 3

6 The Simpsons Movie

7 I Am Legend

8 The Golden Compass

9 Night at the Museum

10 Live Free or Die Hard

The most popular local film, Ben X (which was in Flemish), came in at number 19, grossing less than Alvin and the Chipmunks.

I speak fluent French. But a Belgian journalist I spoke to suggested I make calls to the country's local mayors in English to avoid hostility. Back in Merchtem, De Block was showing his lenient side. "Of course, if an immigrant from Congo or Ethiopia comes into the town hall and speaks in English or French, I take them aside and explain to them in English or French that they have to speak Dutch and tell them where they can go to learn. For the first time that's OK. But then they have to make an effort on their own. We're in Flanders. On municipal property, you must speak Dutch."

De Block tells me this in his office, in the town hall . . . in English. When I point this out to him, he shrugs.

In California Spanish is now the language of choice by half the population.

The difference between French and English in the Flemish is easy enough to explain, we (more or less of course) chose to use English. French on the other hand, has a long history as the language for the elite in Belgium, both in the North and South. As the article correctly notes, there has been a reversal in the wealth between the two parts of our countries and the new economic power of the Flemish has also been used to get cultural power, including more respect for our language. Of course, in some places this went too far, the example given in the article about a ban on non-Dutch signs illustrates that quite well. Overall, the Flemish don't really have a problem speaking other languages, most know French well and there are few people that don't know English.

Humans are so inclined to focus on format rather than content.

Isn't what someone says more important than what language they say it in?

Originally posted by zeeblebot
the bonus: The top 10 films in Belgium, 2007!:

...

Often, the greater the geographic proximity in which these languages are spoken, the greater the tension. But where Flemish culture is concerned, the primary threat is not really French but American culture and the English language. A quick look at what Belgians go to watch at the cinema illustrates ...[text shortened]... n X (which was in Flemish), came in at number 19, grossing less than Alvin and the Chipmunks.

If Belgium indeed is going to be split into two separate states - what names are the two going to have? In what country will Bruxelles be in? Will the name Belgium be obsolete?

Originally posted by zeeblebot

The most popular local film, Ben X (which was in Flemish), came in at number 19, grossing less than Alvin and the Chipmunks.

The main reason there are tensions between language groups in Belgium is that the groups are divided politically, which fuels conflicts. There are no problems whatsoever with the Frisian-speaking minority (approx. 500,000 people) in the Netherlands, for example. Abolishing federalism and moving to one national parliament instead of five (?!) will resolve the conflict, over time.

Originally posted by kmax87
substitute film title and welcome to australia......would you like fries with that?...now you have a nice day hear!?

Originally posted by FabianFnas
In what country will Bruxelles be in?

Originally posted by KazetNagorra
The main reason there are tensions between language groups in Belgium is that the groups are divided politically, which fuels conflicts. There are no problems whatsoever with the Frisian-speaking minority (approx. 500,000 people) in the Netherlands, for example. Abolishing federalism and moving to one national parliament instead of five (?!) will resolve the conflict, over time.

Originally posted by Barts
Untrue, the separate political parties certainly don't help bringing the country back together, but they are not the reason for the divide. All major parties (Christian Democrat/Liberal/Socialist) have a history as Belgian parties and all were split in a Walloon and Flemish party during the 70's, long after the problems over language began.

Originally posted by Crowley
Fatal flaw in this post: Did you take in account the PR and distribution budgets of Hollywood studios with whatever was spent on the local film?