Bilingual Canadians can’t read the writing on the wall
As a functionally bilingual Canadian I am never surprised to see someone flip a cereal box to the side on which they will read the ingredients in their language of choice, and I smile knowingly as they turn a government form over front to back to do the same.
But I didn’t realize how conditioned I myself have become. Typically, I read the language that I see first, unless of course it is a financing agreement or instructions for medicine or some other such legal document that I need to make sure that I understand.
I read the first language I see – be it English or French. Then I ignore the second language.
I didn’t think I’ve missed too much by ignoring the second language.
Now I wonder.
I made a discomforting discovery about myself while visiting Saskatoon’s Mendel Art Gallery this week.
I was appreciating Mary Longman’s funny money exhibit, wandering around the hall, reading the block lettering stenciled onto the wall in bold black chunks, learning a little more about Mary and her Saskatchewan roots.
“Why are they calling this a New York show?” I asked my art-lovin’ companion.
“Because she works out of New York.”
“How do you know THAT?”
“Because I read it on the wall.”
“Where?”
We doubled back. “Right here, … on the wall.”
In my ignorance, I had been cruising the gallery reading only the left side of the blocks of information stenciled on the wall, completely ignoring the right side.
I grimaced. Had I done the same thing at the Rembrandt exhibit in Chicago 4 years ago? Have I been doing it in every art gallery, museum, or theatre outside of Ottawa??????
Now I’ll read all of the writing on the wall.
Tags: bilingual Canadians, Canadian artists, cereal box, Saskatchewan artist Mary Longman’s, Saskatoon's Mendel Art Gallery