Language policies and politics in Québec's and Canada's political parties

What is it about?

In Canada and in Québec, language issues matter quite a bit. This article looks at the politics behind translation choices in key political speeches in the 1995 referendum in Québec. We find that 'bilingual' political parties, i.e. those which generally translate their speeches and websites into the other official language, show more effective translation strategies.

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Why is it important?

Bilingual and multilingual institutions such as Canada's present a site of power struggles which are closely linked with identity issues. Understanding these power struggles allows for a better understanding of national or group identity, in this case through translation discursive pratices.