Language policy in Nova Scotia

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Language policy in Nova Scotia is defined by official monolingualism, certain services provided in French, recognition of indigenous languages, certain projects relating to Gaelic and certain services being provided in American Sign Language.

Contents

Official monolingualism

The only official language in the province is English. [1]

French language

The French-language Services Act was passed by the House of Assembly in 2004. [2] It requires that services in the French language be provided by "designated departments, offices, agencies of Government, Crown corporations and public institutions" to the Acadian and francophone community. [2] [3] The department responsible for administering the legislation is Acadian Affairs and Francophonie. [3]

Indigenous languages

The Mi'kmaw Language Act was passed by the House of Assembly in 2022 and it establishes a joint committee to create a multi-year strategy for protecting and promoting the Mi'kmaq language. [4] In February 2025, the Canadian federal government announced an investment of CA$7,100,000 in the revitalisation the Mi'kmaq language. [5]

Gaelic language

At its peak, there were approximately 250,000 speakers of Gaelic in Canada, and as of 2021 there were only 2,100 speakers. [6] Children were encouraged not to speak it through corporal punishment. [6]

The Nova Scotia government helped to fund several Gaelic-based projects. [6] The provincial government spent CA$1,900,000 to create a satellite campus of the Royal Cape Breton Gaelic College in Mabou. [6]

Sign language

Previously Maritime Sign Language was taught to children in school, but this was replaced by American Sign Language, which became the dominant sign language. [7]

American Sign Language interpretation is provided at hospitals through the LanguageLine App. [3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ MacGregor, Daniel (2021-09-30). "The Four Cardinal Languages: Nova Scotia's Four Main Languages". The SMU Journal. Archived from the original on 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
  2. 1 2 Comeau, Philip (2019-05-17). "Social change in Clare Acadian French: Regional variants in the 21st century". Linguistica Atlantica. Archived from the original on 2022-10-18.
  3. 1 2 3 Fraser, Sam (2023-09-18). "To understand and be understood". The Signal Halifax. Archived from the original on 2019-06-22. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
  4. ↑ Lau, Rebecca (2022-07-17). "Legislation recognizing Mi'kmaw as Nova Scotia's first language is proclaimed". Global News. Archived from the original on 2022-07-17. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
  5. ↑ Guenzler, Joseph (2025-02-28). "National Indigenous Times". National Indigenous Times. Archived from the original on 2025-03-31. Retrieved 2025-04-23.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Campbell, Meig (2024-07-01). "'This language belongs to us. I want it back': Scottish Gaelic revival spans North America". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2024-07-04. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
  7. ↑ Currie, Brooklyn (2024-05-29). "How this N.S. woman is working to revitalize Maritime Sign Language". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2024-05-30. Retrieved 2025-04-24.
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