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6-8
What’s in an Apostrophe?
Project type: Assignment
Related topic:
Fighting Words: Bill 101
Fighting Words: Bill 101
Subjects
Social Studies
English Language Arts
English Language Arts
Summary
Students will create a public or business sign before and after the passage of Bill 101.
Duration
2 lessons
Purpose
To describe the impact of Bill 101 on signs in Quebec
Materials
craft materials
Before Exploring
Ask students if they have ever been to a place where they couldn’t understand the street signs, business names, or advertisements on commercial businesses. How did they feel? Did they ask someone else to translate for them? Did they shop in the store anyway? Share responses.
Ask how many students speak more than one language. Discuss the benefits of being multi-lingual. Record student responses on chart paper.
Outline the Opportunity
Direct students to the topic Fighting Words: Bill 101 on the CBC Digital Archives website. In partners, have students browse the clips Master plan for a new French Quebec , Politics of smoked meat, Bill 101 is official , 'French in Quebec: it's a plus', Mr. Singer goes to court " and Three strikes against Bill 101 , and read the accompanying text. Specifically profile the case of Schwartz’s in the second clip, Politics of smoked meat , to understand the significance of language laws on business signs in Quebec. Under the new law, Schwartz’s would be asked to remove the apostrophe from its company name.
Ask students to create two illustrated versions of the same business sign of their choice: one before and one after the passage of Bill 101 in Quebec.
Revisit and Reflect
Display all the French posters first. Ask students to view the posters and try to explain the meaning of the signs. Do they have difficulty understanding the signs? As a class, have students collaborate to identify the meaning of the signs. Compare the French sign with the English sign. Summarize the types of changes that were made when preparing the French version of the English sign.
Assessment Tip
Look for students to articulate clearly the impact of Bill 101 on signs in Quebec.
Extension
In 1993, the Charter of the French Language was amended to allow for multilingual signs in Quebec. The government could ask for greater visibility of French on commercial signs, but they could no longer demand French only signs. Students can consider the pros and cons of this change. Compare student responses and create a class summary highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of bilingual signs.
