Communicating Among Linguistic Communities Onboard a Canadian Navy Ship

Abstract

The language policy implemented by the Canadian Forces corresponds to Canadian language laws as long as security and operationally are maintained (Department of National Defence and Canadian Forces 2004, Direction des langues officielles 2004). Over the years, linguistically defined units have been designed. This was done mainly to ensure recruitment maintenance and to comply with national language regulations (Bemier and Pariseau 1991, 1994; Letellier 1987; Pariseau and Bemier 1987, 1988). As defined by the Canadian Forces, up to 80% of the staff of an English or a French unit can be made of speakers of the language of the unit.

Fieldwork was conducted onboard a French unit in the navy. The HMCS Ville de Québec is stationed in Halifax, NS. Data was collected at dock in 2004, and at sea in 2005. Shadowing various crew members during their work activities enabled me to document language use in context (www.ualberta.ca/~mdaveluy). Several relevant issues were identified. They include challenges faced by (French or English) unilinguals in a bilingual work environment as well as opportunities to retrieve one’s native tongue through work. This paper describes the completion of tasks during emergency training at sea.

First, I summarize the Canadian Forces language policy. Then, I present the data collected on board, focusing mainly on matters pertaining to communicating through the public announcement system (the pipes, as referred to onboard). Finally, I discuss related theoretical issues pertaining to languages, communities, and language communities (Daveluy 2005). I argue that even if a clearly stated language agenda is overtly implemented, various ethnolinguistic groups collaborating as crew members have different expectations, and experiences. This is particularly sensitive when they share a given mother tongue (e.g., Québécois and Acadiens). These factors trigger distinct language behaviours and attitudes that influence the overall language situation onboard the ship.