Language Matters: How Canadian Voluntary Associations Manage French and English

Cameron and Simeon (political science and law, U. of Toronto, Canada) assemble seven case studies that compare the use of French and English in business, farm, governmental, health, social development, and international voluntary associations in Canada from the mid-1960s to the late 1990s to understand how Canadians have responded to the country's duality and diversity. The studies were inspired by Meisel and Lemieux's Ethnic Relations in Canadian Voluntary Associations from the 1960s, and look at many of the same groups. Viewing these organizations as central elements of society, they explore similarities and differences in how they manage the complexities of language, institutions and practices developed to manage linguistic relationships, the roles played by the external political environment and internal organization in shaping linguistic capacities and behaviors, and how they contribute to social cohesion or its absence in society. Contributors are political science, globalization and public policy scholars and individuals who have served in government in Canada. The book is intended for scholars of sociolinguistics, political science, and management and conflict studies. Distributed by UTP Distribution. Annotation c2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

David R. Cameron is chair and professor of political science at the University of Toronto and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. Richard Simeon is professor of political science and law at the University of Toronto and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.