Did you know that Canada has two official languages? They are English and French. The Official Languages Act states that: “the Constitution of Canada provides that English and French are the official languages of Canada and have equality of status and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament … Read more
L’HIVER (lee-VAYR* = the winter) HIVER (ee- VAYR) means winter in French. On this January day, winter is now in full force in the northern hemishere. At my home in Canada, the ground is covered with a dazzling layer of snow. Canada is famous for winter sports including skating, skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and hockey. Here is … Read more
L’HIVER (lee-VAYR* = the winter) L’HIVER (lee- VAYR) means winter in French. As I write, winter is now in full force in the northern hemishere, where France is located. At my home in Canada, the ground is covered with a dazzling layer of snow. Canada is famous for winter sports including skating, skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, … Read more
Bonhomme de neige, the French phrase for snowman, is a contraction of the words, BON (good) and HOMME (man) with NEIGE which, of course, means snow! This is often shortened to just BONHOMME. The English language uses the word bonhomie to describe a “good nature,” or a “pleasant manner.” Did you know that a snowman, … Read more
If you are in Canada in February, you will need a warm hat! In mostparts of Canada temperatures are regularly below freezing, zero degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit. French Canada has given us LA TUQUE(la TYOOK=the tuque), a warm knitted cap that can usually be folded double at the ears for extra protection. English … Read more
Because the nation of Canada has French and English as its two official languages, the capital city of Canada, Ottawa, is a great place to go to practise speaking, hearing, and reading French. Winter is especially beautiful in Ottawa. The National Capital Commission transforms the Rideau Canal into the world’s longest ice rink. There are … Read more