Linguistic Policy

1. THE COCMA

  1. The working language of the COCMA is French.
  2. During the meetings, discussions and actions leading to a vote may be translated into English by request.
  3. The agendas and minutes of the COCMA meetings will be written and available in both languages.
  4. All correspondence addressed to the COCMA will be answered in its original language. Upon request, such correspondence will be translated before being submitted at the COCMA, including the original copy attached.
  5. In case of misunderstanding or difficulty in interpretation, the French copy will be accepted.

2. HEADQUARTERS

  1. The working language of the international central office is French.
  2. The General director of the CMA 2014 must be fully bilingual.
  3. Communications from the central office which are intended for the media or the general public must be written in French in New Brunswick and Quebec, and in both languages in Maine. All job openings will be published in each region, in a newspaper or organization identified by the regional committees. Ads must be published in French or bilingual with French being in a priority position.
  4. Relationships with partners (federal, provincial, state of Maine, and private organizations, etc.) will be in French, or in English if necessary.
  5. Communications from the central office which are intended for the COCMA or the Executive, except for emails, will be presented in both languages with French being in a priority position.

3. REGIONAL COMMITTEES

  1. The working language of the regional committees of New-Brunswick and Québec will be French. The regional committee of Maine may use as a working language French and/or English.
  2. Regional coordinators of the three regions must be able to operate in French and English.
  3. Relationships with partners (federal, provincial, state of Maine, and private organizations, etc..) will be in French or in English if necessary.

4. MARKETING AND PROMOTION

  1. The marketing campaign must be able to reach both Anglophones and Francophones.
  2. Publications, pamphlets, and other promotional items will be produced in both languages with French being in a priority position.
  3. The advertisement placed in the French media will be in French; the advertisement placed in the English media will be in English or bilingual with French being in priority.
  4. The website, Facebook presence and other electronic media will be available in both languages.
  5. Before the congress, all signage will be in French or bilingual with French first.
  6. During the Congress, all road and traffic signs will be in both languages with French being in a priority position.

5. APPLICATION DURING THE WORLD ACADIAN CONGRESS 2014

 

 

 

a. Printed materials and signage

  • Any printed material to the attention of the public will be available at all times in both languages (EN and FR)
  • Signage and other information to the attention of the public will be available in both languages.

b. Speech in both languages (EN and FR)

  • At the time of official speeches, the speaker speaks in the language of his or her choice;
  • Where possible, the speaker may offer, in his address, a partial translation allowing his audience to grasp the essentials of communication;
  • The organization will maintain, wherever possible, the proportion of 80 percent French and 20 percent in English for speaking at the events.

c.  Use of two languages during the events

  • French is the priority in all events throughout the area.
  • Every effort will be made to maintain a proportion of 80 percent and 20 percent English speaking in all events and on the whole territory.
  • The family reunions and community events will take place in the language of choice of the organizers.
  • The programming available to the public will display a legend indicating the main language of use at each event.

d.    Display at points of entry

  • The display at points of entry and throughout the territory before the CMA 2014 will be bilingual with French in priority for Maine and New Brunswick, and French only for Témiscouata.1

Note :

  • Bilingual means French and English.
  • French being in a priority position means that the French text will be at the top of the document, on the left-hand side of the document or in first position.


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1. The issue of signage as government services is legislated in New Brunswick and Quebec. For Quebec, the display must be in French. For New Brunswick, the output is printed in both languages. For Maine, the committee believes that the priority to French corresponds well with the objectives of the CMA 2014.