Baraka_Guru

I live in one of the most multicultural cities in the world. If you go out in public, you are all but guaranteed to hear something other than English. It's more a question of how many different languages you're going to hear.


Demographics of Toronto - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

That said, it's common for native speakers to talk amongst themselves in their native tongues. However, you will find that it's because they are all speaking the language. I think etiquette comes into play when you have those within a social group who aren't speakers and can't understand the conversation. I can't recall being in a situation where I found people being rude in this respect.

I think there is a general respect for languages here and that people know that English is the "common tongue."

Socially, language is largely accommodated here. You will find certain neighbourhoods with bilingualism that goes beyond the expected French/English in Quebec. In Chinatown, you have national banks with Cantonese in the signage. In Koreatown, you have Korean signage; in Greektown, Greek signage, etc. The same goes for street signage, etc.

Officially, Canada has two national languages, but the governments, businesses, etc., will accommodate communities they serve.

But it's not all rainbows and robins here. You will get racist mindsets and remarks: "This is Canada. Speak English!" I think that's unavoidable and unforch. The good thing, however, is that the Toronto community at large is vibrant and accepting of culture, language, etc.

There are no guarantees outside of the city. (I'm looking at you rural Canada.)

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Knowing that death is certain and that the time of death is uncertain, what's the most important thing?
—Bhikkhuni Pema Chödrön

Humankind cannot bear very much reality.
—From "Burnt Norton," Four Quartets (1936), T. S. Eliot