If Stephane Dion can't say it in French, who can?
A little gem from the video of Stephane Dion addressing the Chinese Canadian Liberal Assocation is how Stephane Dion struggled with the French translation of the name of the group, and listening to someone's comment on Dion's fumbling in French get picked up by the camera microphone.
There has been a lot of talk about Stephane Dion's gaffe in not giving credit to Douglas Jung, an MP in John Diefenbaker's 1957 Progressive Conservative government, for being the first Canadian of Chinese descent to be elected to the House of Commons. Instead, Stephane Dion unambiguously attributed that honour to Arthur Lee, elected in 1974 to sit in Pierre Trudeau's Liberal government.
But the speech Stephane Dion gave has an amusing moment. I noticed it when I first listened to it, and other people have picked up on it too, so I thought I'd draw attention to it.
At one point, Stephane Dion struggled mightily with the French version of the name of the group he was addressing, the Chinese Canadian Liberal Association.
If you listen carefully, you can hear someone comment, "He doesn't know how to say it in French."
Of course, whoever is saying it was refering to Stephane Dion struggling with the word order. Or at least that's how it sounds. Still, it makes for a chuckle to have Stephane Dion's mastery of the French language criticized.
At the very least, it is a refreshing change of pace from commenting on his English.
Here is the clip. I've added a caption to get you ready, and for the portion when the person makes his comment, the audio is jacked up, so be prepared.
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Now here's a question about the person who commented on Dion's struggle with the name of the group he was addressing. Was that person sitting at one of the tables near the camera setup, or is it the cameraman himself?
I ask because I'm surprised that the microphone would have picked up that comment so clearly from a nearby table, where a person was likely facing away from the camera and speaking to someone seated next to him.
In the future, though, Stephane Dion should try to avoid the whole problem by knowing the name of the group he is standing in front of in both official languages.
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Comments
I never thought it possible that a time would come when someone could make me long for the days of listening to Chretien garble a speech in English or French. Congrats Dion.
Posted by: Reid at July 25, 2007 01:41 PM
Dion speaks like this all the time, even in the House. It's just the first time I've noticed it in his native tongue.
It's the awful language skills AND the lack of personality that goes with it.
He reminds me of the special ed students we had in class growing up. Every time it's their turn to participate in a class exercise, everyone gives them a helping hand then applauds in relief when it's all over.
This is how the leader of the once great Liberal Party of Canada gets through question period every day.
Posted by: Dennis (Second Thots) at July 25, 2007 02:58 PM
This video is the gift that keeps on giving.
Dion reminds me of Alec Baldwin's French teacher from Saturday Night Live...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ9zzM3bLM8
I can't believe how condescending Dion is to his audience.
Posted by: alan at July 25, 2007 03:43 PM
Dion is a bit slow in the intellectual department (and his language skills are poor in any language).
Posted by: Werner Patels at July 25, 2007 04:32 PM
...le dog chaud?
Posted by: tomax7 at July 25, 2007 05:08 PM
Dion is actually quite good in his native tongue. Language problems never stopped Chretien from winning majority after majority, and it is certainly not helping Harper in the polls.
Posted by: at July 25, 2007 05:32 PM
Chretien won majorities because of the fractured right.
I feel the polls will improve in the fall.
Warren Kinsella's screw-up may even help. :)
Posted by: Louise at July 25, 2007 05:49 PM
"I can't believe how condescending Dion is to his audience."
First thing I thought too! It's like was leading a kindergarten class. Boy I wish I was as smart as Dion... er ..scratch that.
Posted by: at July 26, 2007 01:07 AM
The proof is the proof and the proof will be proven.....same linguistic teacher as the little guy...
Posted by: Squiggy at July 26, 2007 07:34 AM
Yes, Dion is extremely condescending. Notice how he was, as The Teacher, making them 'sing along' and repeat after him? He was behaving towards them as if they were a groupo of 'lesser intelligences', speaking slowly and in simple words. His focus was on them as a group (Chinese) not as individuals equal to him. And he was only interested in their vote, as Chinese, Not as Canadians.
Posted by: ET at July 26, 2007 09:19 AM
He's not ready for Prime Time any time soon with that pathetic display.
Watched it twice and still can't didn't get his message aside from his acting like a kindergarten teacher, repeat after me act. Wonder how many there could understand what he wanted them to repeat or sing?
In the end the message was most likely Liberals love Chinese people, vote for us.
Posted by: Libby at July 26, 2007 02:20 PM
 
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