Richmond bus shelter ads fuel language debate

[skiiipi]

Keep in mind, companie are allowed to discriminate to target their customer or employee as long as it does not violate the charter of rights, while some may argue having a Chinese only sign is a discrimination based on race (not allowed in the charter or rights), it is actually a discrimination based on language.

For example, a Chinese restaurant may post an ad saying "hiring, mandarin speaking required", but they may not say "hiring, chinese people only" Because the ability to speak mandarin does not mean you are Chinese.

So in the case of advertisement, having a Chinese only sign, is targeting Chinese reading customers, I myself is Chinese however I would not fit into the targeted marketing because I do not read Chinese, and likely will converse in English when visiting a business. However, if a caucasian customer can read Chinese, then the Ad would be targeting the as well.

[stewie]

Originally Posted by ae101

if ever come back & start a business here, im gonna make sure my bloody ads are fucking "CHINESE & FRENCH", screw english im gonna just gonna troll on everyone in richmond

As long as it has either English or French I'm happy. I may suck at French, but that would just give me more of a reason to learn our other national language. However, I will not even attempt to learn Chinese(or any other language for that matter). If I want to learn I'd either take a course or travel and learn a language first hand. Shouldn't have to be smothered in fully foreign ads on streets while minding my own buisness. Private ads or not, they should contain either English or French in my mind.

If they don't want my buisness that's fine, but this isn't your old country, so it's time to learn your new language.
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[trancehead]

she is probably as white as sliced bread and does not know even her own origins.

Nor does she even speak a second language i bet

[PiuYi]

如果我在這裡寫中文呢? 有人理嗎?

[PiuYi]

Originally Posted by twitchyzero

I remember in grade school the supervision aide would command us to speak English
what a miserable witch
if you aren't in the group or i'm not speaking directly at you why the fuck does it matter...as long as i'm not yelling/cursing

if the teachers say "ENGLISH ONLY", this i can understand simply because they're responsible for the kids in their class, they might be planning some dangerous prank or about to do something jeopardizing their safety.... like "let's go to that white van marked 'free candy' after school" the teacher's gotta know

also robs the teacher of authority if they don't know everything going on in their classroom

[Tone Loc]

Originally Posted by vafanculo

I think this is a tad too much. I'm fine with the larger portion being in Chinese, but they should still have English on there as well. If not for simply being out of respect, but just so non Chinese know what it means. For all I know it could be spreading propaganda against Canada.

Plus, things start with baby steps. First one sign, then 2, eventually it's the norm. This is Canada not (insert non Canadian country).
Posted via RS Mobile

Exactly this. It's a slippery slope, once we "let" a few Chinese-only ads run, it'll be only a matter of time before an area like Richmond caters exclusively to Chinese. Remember what Richmond was like 10, 15 years ago? Very very different from how it is now.

& FWIW Kerry Starchuk sounds racist as fuck, it's funny how being Caucasian essentially voids your right to voice your opinion in some cases. Whereas if I were to utter the same complaint people would (likely) applaud me for choosing to assimilate and join the greater Canadian culture

[320icar]

Originally Posted by skiiipi

Keep in mind, companie are allowed to discriminate to target their customer or employee as long as it does not violate the charter of rights, while some may argue having a Chinese only sign is a discrimination based on race (not allowed in the charter or rights), it is actually a discrimination based on language.

For example, a Chinese restaurant may post an ad saying "hiring, mandarin speaking required", but they may not say "hiring, chinese people only" Because the ability to speak mandarin does not mean you are Chinese.

So in the case of advertisement, having a Chinese only sign, is targeting Chinese reading customers, I myself is Chinese however I would not fit into the targeted marketing because I do not read Chinese, and likely will converse in English when visiting a business. However, if a caucasian customer can read Chinese, then the Ad would be targeting the as well.

From a Caucasian male living in Richmond for 25 years i couldn't have said it better myself.
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[Eff-1]

The context of the ad needs to be considered. They are promoting a service that is specifically designed for Chinese speaking people. So why not advertise in Chinese? Another example is say you're a company and you want to advertise to Indian people that you have Punjabi-speaking staff who can help you. Then of course it makes sense to advertise this message in Punjabi. That's why ethnic media exists like REDFM, OMNI TV, and Fairchild Radio, Sing Tao, etc...

I personally believe this is different when you hear about businesses that have signage in Chinese only. Or a restaurant doesn't have English menus. It sends a message that says if you don't speak Mandarin or Cantonese, you are not welcome in my business. I can see how some Canadians might be upset about that. The easy solution is bilingual signage.

Advertising in a certain language is not the same. What if you were in China and wanted to specifically sell a product or service to English speaking people, would you pay to advertise in Mandarin or English? English of course.

[Manic!]

Originally Posted by PARANOiA-R34

Exactly this. It's a slippery slope, once we "let" a few Chinese-only ads run, it'll be only a matter of time before an area like Richmond caters exclusively to Chinese. Remember what Richmond was like 10, 15 years ago? Very very different from how it is now.

https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-r...CSD&GC=5915015

49.4% of Richmond speak English at home. Businesses are not going to stop serving 49.4% of the market. If that number changes the market will follow accordingly.

[twdm]

To settle this dispute once and for all, ads shall be neither in English, French, nor Chinese, but in the mother tongue of the first nations. Thereby avoiding the "I was here first" argument and so that no one understands the ads except for the non-existent first nations in Richmond.

[Xu.Vi]

Originally Posted by twdm

To settle this dispute once and for all, ads shall be neither in English, French, nor Chinese, but in the mother tongue of the first nations. Thereby avoiding the "I was here first" argument and so that no one understands the ads except for the non-existent first nations in Richmond.

LOL.
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[J____]

Originally Posted by vafanculo

I think this is a tad too much. I'm fine with the larger portion being in Chinese, but they should still have English on there as well. If not for simply being out of respect, but just so non Chinese know what it means. For all I know it could be spreading propaganda against Canada.

Plus, things start with baby steps. First one sign, then 2, eventually it's the norm. This is Canada not (insert non Canadian country).
Posted via RS Mobile

I'm Chinese and I can't read this either but I don't see a problem with this. The ad placement was paid for by the business that put the ad there, so they can put whatever they want on it as long as it's not obscene or not suitable for a public place. Putting ads in all chinese is a smart advertising move because it targets their clientele which looks to be, chinese. I see ads in China and other foreign countries that's english only but I don't hear people complaining about not understanding it. IMO somethings should be regulated when out of hand, this however is not a problem in my eyes. So according to these protestors, should all signs in Canada be in every single language in the world, since there are canadians that were originally from every nation in the world?

On the other hand, it's a stupid advertising move and waste of money to put that ad at a bus stop. Since no chinese mainlander that's into gambling would ever take the bus...

[snails]

i see why there is concern about it. .the more socially acceptable the more often it will happen and before you know it large communities wont be "bilingual" they will be only accepting of certain races..

i dont think the "its their ad they can do what they want" thing flies here.. it their ad in a PUBLIC setting so it needs to be respectful to the public.

if i cant say Merry Christmas cuz some immigrants dont feel its accepting as they move into this country i dont think i should be able to walk past an ad i cant understand.

before i go off on the subject ill just make it simple. this is canada. the main language is English and if you dont wanna learn is then you shouldnt be here. i would not move to china (or any other country) unless i was planning to accept the culture and learn the language if i planned to build a life there.

[melloman]

Step 1: Learn Chinese
Step 2: Tell them to fuck off (In Chinese ) when they do things like this.

[Manic!]

Originally Posted by snails

if i cant say Merry Christmas cuz some immigrants dont feel its accepting as they move into this country i dont think i should be able to walk past an ad i cant understand.

That's B.S. no immigrant is telling you to stop saying Merry Christmas. The only people bringing it up are white people, manly atheists and republicans. Immigrants don't care except for the overtime they will be getting.

[Verdasco]

i seriously doubt china would give a fuck about ads in english if it was posted there....

[snails]

Originally Posted by Manic!

That's B.S. no immigrant is telling you to stop saying Merry Christmas. The only people bringing it up are white people, manly atheists and republicans. Immigrants don't care except for the overtime they will be getting.

quite the assumption, but ive actually heard it on the news and radio talk shows where callers say its unacceptable because they are Muslim (for example)and its not welcoming because Christmas is Christian. why even argue about it. the world is heading toward a more politically correct place and more multiculturl. i think if you go somewhere you should adapt to their language at the very least and not seclude yourself off

[vafanculo]

Originally Posted by J____

I'm Chinese and I can't read this either but I don't see a problem with this. The ad placement was paid for by the business that put the ad there, so they can put whatever they want on it as long as it's not obscene or not suitable for a public place. Putting ads in all chinese is a smart advertising move because it targets their clientele which looks to be, chinese. I see ads in China and other foreign countries that's english only but I don't hear people complaining about not understanding it. IMO somethings should be regulated when out of hand, this however is not a problem in my eyes. So according to these protestors, should all signs in Canada be in every single language in the world, since there are canadians that were originally from every nation in the world?

On the other hand, it's a stupid advertising move and waste of money to put that ad at a bus stop. Since no chinese mainlander that's into gambling would ever take the bus...

I'm not upset at the ad, but more at people that approved it. I love living in Richmond, it's great. It's funny how people say Canada is multicultural. However, Richmond to me is starting to feel like the Quebec of Canada.

North Vancouver has a huge Persian culture. Burnaby has Italians. Coquitlqm has Koreans. All those districts however have the same feel. Like you are in Canada but at the same time embracing different cultures. Living in Richmond on the other hand, I feel I can probably move to HK and feel at home.

Richmond is losing that Canadian "multicultural" feeling that Canada so proudly boasts. Its now become directed at one culture only.

Now this isn't coming from just an Italian guy living in richmond. My wife is flip and it bothers her way more than me. Its cool that richmond has lots of Chinese. Being Canada and all, you can live anywhere you want..but at least embrace multiculturalism and realize you aren't living in China.

(Typed on a phone so it probably reads a bit sloppy)
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[Manic!]

Originally Posted by snails

quite the assumption, but ive actually heard it on the news and radio talk shows where callers say its unacceptable because they are Muslim (for example)and its not welcoming because Christmas is Christian. why even argue about it. the world is heading toward a more politically correct place and more multiculturl. i think if you go somewhere you should adapt to their language at the very least and not seclude yourself off

Just because a person is a Muslim does not make them an immigrant. Also do you know the ethnicity of the caller for all I know it could have been some white convert. Again I state this is a white people problem, I'm not assuming just watch the news.

Atheist victory in California as surf city loses its nativity display | World news | The Observer

Lynch v. Donnelly - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_controversy

[Jet]

Originally Posted by Lomac

Someone should create a billboard ad with all 0 and 1's that spells out that they're recruiting a programmer or some such person. Or something that's so completely techno babble that no one but a hardcore computer person would understand.

Wonder what she'd think about that.

That reminds me of that time EA put a billboard ad right in front of Radical a few years back ...

[twitchyzero]

Originally Posted by PiuYi

if the teachers say "ENGLISH ONLY", this i can understand simply because they're responsible for the kids in their class, they might be planning some dangerous prank or about to do something jeopardizing their safety.... like "let's go to that white van marked 'free candy' after school" the teacher's gotta know

also robs the teacher of authority if they don't know everything going on in their classroom

it was during the break in the school yard...not in a classroom setting

[knight604]

public transit ?

[snails]

Originally Posted by Manic!

Just because a person is a Muslim does not make them an immigrant. Also do you know the ethnicity of the caller for all I know it could have been some white convert. Again I state this is a white people problem, I'm not assuming just watch the news.

Atheist victory in California as surf city loses its nativity display | World news | The Observer

Lynch v. Donnelly - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Christmas controversy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

well you could hear the accent in their conversation, lets not derail the thread over this. my point stands. this is canada. english speaking canada and entire cities should not be unwelcoming to other canadians. if they are that hard pressed on richmond being china then maybe they should go back to china, if they want the life here so bad then they need to adapt. i know what im saying is very exaggerated but it all starts somewhere. it should not be socially acceptable because before you know it there will be more and more examples of things like this until its actually a problem

[Manic!]

Originally Posted by snails

well you could hear the accent in their conversation, lets not derail the thread over this. my point stands. this is canada. english speaking canada and entire cities should not be unwelcoming to other canadians. if they are that hard pressed on richmond being china then maybe they should go back to china, if they want the life here so bad then they need to adapt. i know what im saying is very exaggerated but it all starts somewhere. it should not be socially acceptable because before you know it there will be more and more examples of things like this until its actually a problem

So you are basing this on one person who called a radio show. It's a free country I can talk and advertise in any language I want. You tell if ever in history when a bunch of white people have gone to a another country and tried to force to local population to learn English and become Christian. That's never happened.

Your just buthurt it's happening and not the other way around.

[snails]

i dont live in richmond and have no reason to go there so this dosnt effect my life at all. and i also dont live in other parts of the world, but if i did and i planned to have my life there i would sure as hell adapt to their language and cultures. other wise i should gtfo. kinda like going to someones house.

and if you wanna talk about "free speech" there is lots of stuff that is legal but is socially unacceptable. segregating communities should be unacceptable.