Chinese-only sign reignites language debate in Richmond, B.C.

[DonLever]

A Chinese-language advertisement at a bus shelter in Richmond, B.C. has reignited a debate over the language used on signs in the Vancouver suburb.

The ad, which can be seen from Steveston Highway, targets its message at the Chinese community in Richmond, where almost half the population speaks Cantonese.

“In a nutshell, it’s a good thing this bride used Crest because now her teeth are shiny white,” the ad says in its Chinese-language message. The company’s name is the only word that appears in English.

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A Chinese-language advertisement at a bus shelter in Richmond, B.C. has reignited a debate over the language used on signs in the Vancouver suburb.

The toothpaste-maker said the ad is part of a Canada-wide ‘Oral Health Month’ campaign running throughout April, which includes ads in English, French and Chinese.

“We deeply value the rich diversity of Canadians and continuously strive to connect with all consumers in relevant ways,” Crest Canada spokesperson Victoria Maybee said in a statement to CTVNews.ca. “While the vast majority of our advertising remains in one or both of Canada's official languages, this unique ad was created to reach a new audience of diverse consumers."

But Richmond Councillor Chak Au says Chinese-only signs are disrespectful.

“They are not sensitive enough,” Au told CTV Vancouver, calling for signs in the area to be more “more inclusive and to be bilingual.”

Other Richmond residents agree. “I find it offensive, I’m a ninth-generation Canadian,” one woman told CTV Vancouver.

“How can I understand what they’re talking about or what they’re marketing,” said another.

Tensions over language have been building for many years in Richmond. Residents gathered more than 1,000 signatures on a petition last year, demanding that signs feature at least one of Canada’s official languages.

But Richmond city councillors rejected the call to crack down on businesses for using Chinese-only signs.

“I don’t think this problem will ever go away until we, as a community, have dealt with it by being more sensitive,” said Au.

With files from CTV Vancouver’s St. John Alexander

Read more: http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/chinese-only-sign-reignites-language-debate-in-richmond-b-c-1.1788427#ixzz2zk9tVfMS

[Sanj]

Ya well....I mean go to Surrey, how many Punjabi/Hindi only signs do you see there. This is just silly. Most people hate advertisements as it is...now they are complaining cause the advertisements they hate aren't in English.

[goalie13]

“How can I understand what they’re talking about or what they’re marketing,” said another.

If you can't understand it, then don't buy their product.

Companies should be able to advertise in whatever language they want. As long as warning labels and instructions include both of Canada's official languages, the advertising doesn't matter.

[Twilight Sparkle]

no issue if they had just taken the extra few seconds to add subtitles. i can see where some people would hate these ads-- they'd like to think they're still in canada

[Squeak]

no issue if they had just taken the extra few seconds to add subtitles. i can see where some people would hate these ads-- they'd like to think they're still in canada

They are... still in Canada.

[goalie13]

no issue if they had just taken the extra few seconds to add subtitles. i can see where some people would hate these ads-- they'd like to think they're still in canada

But they are in Canada. Part of being in most of Canada is that you are allowed to have advertisements in whatever language you want.

[drummer4now]

wow deja vu I was just thinking about the first time this topic was posted awhile back...

[DonLever]

I see no problem with the ad. Its is just marketing to reach a large demographic segment of the population. It is something you learn in Marketing 101 - Market Segmentation.

Chinese language only ads run all the time in Chinese Newspapers and TV channels. This is just an extension of that.

And why is some people claiming they don't understand the ad, it shows a picture of toothpaste there. Any moron can figure that out.

[Twilight Sparkle]

But they are in Canada. Part of being in most of Canada is that you are allowed to have advertisements in whatever language you want.

yeah, i get that. like, i really don't care about these certain lagnuage only ads, but some people do

[goalie13]

yeah, i get that. like, i really don't care about these certain lagnuage only ads, but some people do

I don't get it though. Do they think they are missing out on some special offer that they would only know about if they knew how to read the language on the sign? Or are they just racist?

[Down by the River]

Companies should be free to target whatever population they want.

It is not as if its a sign giving directions to a public park or something.

[Warhippy]

But they are in Canada. Part of being in most of Canada is that you are allowed to have advertisements in whatever language you want.

Nope

Because of Canada's language laws ALL advertising and store frontage needs to be recognizable in english. This is a serious source of issue in central and Eastern Quebec where the predominant language is french but they ALL have to be in english as well.

Honestly, we give up WAY to frigging much kow towing to every single frigging special interest or minority group out there.

My kid almost couldn't say Merry Christmas or Happy Halloween. Now no english speaking signs, single religion schools, exclusive stores that cater only to specific and recognized minority.

This is kind of frigging offensive really.

I refuse to be more "sensitive" to the issue

If you want to be Canadian, be Canadian. This includes our holidays our values or laws and our language laws.

[Watermelons]

If you can't understand it, then don't buy their product.

Companies should be able to advertise in whatever language they want. As long as warning labels and instructions include both of Canada's official languages, the advertising doesn't matter.

Exactly. People are making a big deal out of nothing as usual. If you don't understand the product and you don't like what the company is doing, then don't buy it. It's as simple as that.

Canada is supposed to be a diverse and multicultural place yet you see people trying to control how others express themselves.

[Down by the River]

The funny thing is that the people who usually take issues with these ads are the same people who are staunch pro laissez-faire capitalists who want the government to play no role in how a company operates. Good way to expose their hypocrisy.

[TheOgRook]

Nope

Because of Canada's language laws ALL advertising and store frontage needs to be recognizable in english. This is a serious source of issue in central and Eastern Quebec where the predominant language is french but they ALL have to be in english as well.

Honestly, we give up WAY to frigging much kow towing to every single frigging special interest or minority group out there.

My kid almost couldn't say Merry Christmas or Happy Halloween. Now no english speaking signs, single religion schools, exclusive stores that cater only to specific and recognized minority.

This is kind of frigging offensive really.

I refuse to be more "sensitive" to the issue

If you want to be Canadian, be Canadian. This includes our holidays our values or laws and our language laws.

Speaking as a son of a landed immigrant I totally agree. Yeah we are multicultural, but we have our own identity and rules too. Personally I'm sick of people playing the immigrant card. You are here now... Time to make some adjustments.

[Tortorella's Rant]

Is it too much to ask now to live in your own country and understand what people are trying to relay to you? I mean, it's kind of a pain in the ass when I go to Timmy's and the people at the till can barely speak English. I understand why people might have a problem with advertising like this if it continues to grow.

[Twilight Sparkle]

The funny thing is that the people who usually take issues with these ads are the same people who are staunch pro laissez-faire capitalists who want the government to play no role in how a company operates. Good way to expose their hypocrisy.

or it's just people who are, "hey, we live in an english speaking country here"

[Rypien37]

It doesn't come down to what kind of signs they are. Be it advertising or anything else. It is the principle of the matter.

English is the language in Canada.

Anyone planning on living or staying here long term should be able to speak it.

(This is coming from someone with immigrant parents FYI so for those going to call me racist etc etc staahp).

[Connauton]

This is just dumb. If you want to immigrate to a different country, at least partially segregate. As someone mentioned, abide by our laws, culture, and holidays. And that's not me trying to turn you into a complete 'white washed' individual. We have Chinatown, Little India, Little Italy, etc. for a reason. Those are some places I'd understand having only ethnic languages for signs/advertisements.

EDIT: Since everyone else is doing this, I'm the son of an immigrant as well, born here however. Good to see most of us agree!

[TOOMUCHINTERNET]

Well here's to a first cdc post. I love the canucks but haven't been found anything I could write in the hockey threads that hasn't already been said many times over.

Anyways, in regards to this sign, I was born in central BC and then moved to the lower mainland this fall. I love the diversity, and I live in an extremely Hindu region of vancouver. This does not bother me, nor does it bother me that Richmond is very Chinese. What bothers me is that I had been forced to learn French in school (and read it on signs my whole life) as it is the other official language BUT people who now migrate to Canada might NOT have to LEARN ENGLISH OR FRENCH. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEM. I CAN NOT LEARN EVERY DAM LANGUAGE THAT PEOPLE WHO MOVE HERE SPEAK. Sorry for the caps but this situation bothers me. I am the son of an immigrant to Canada so don't try saying I have zero idea what I'm talking about. IMO It's unacceptable to house a society of people who cannot communicate with one another. I also want to say I would be happy to learn Chinese or Punjabi or any other language. Its just that it should not be a requirement to live in certain parts of my own country.

TLDR- Be respectful when you move to another country.