Canada's Language Watchdog Issues Apology After Valentine's Day Post Backfires
The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada has issued a formal apology and removed a French-language Valentine's Day social media post that sparked widespread controversy and political criticism across the country. The incident highlights the delicate nature of government communications in Canada's official languages landscape.
A Valentine's Message With Unintended Implications
Last week, Canada's language watchdog posted a Valentine's Day card on social media featuring two dachshund dogs staring at each other with a heart between them. The post encouraged Canadians to practice their second official language with their Valentine, but the accompanying French text contained what many interpreted as a sexual double entendre.
The problematic sentence read: "Ma queue et mon cœur s'emballent quand tu t'exerces à parler ta deuxième langue officielle." While this roughly translates to "My tail and my heart get excited when you practise your second official language," the word "queue" in French carries additional slang meaning as a reference to male genitalia.
Political Reaction and Criticism
The post quickly drew criticism from prominent political figures. Federal Official Languages Minister Marc Miller publicly criticized the office, writing in French on social media platform X: "With Valentine's Day approaching, dachshunds and all, the joke might have been quite good if it worked in French ... but the Commissioner's Office needs to lead by example instead of simply 'translating.'"
Quebec Culture Minister Mathieu Lacombe also weighed in, sarcastically commenting: "Canadian bilingualism in all its sensitivity. I don't know whether to laugh or cry." The criticism from both federal and provincial politicians underscores the sensitivity surrounding language issues in Canada's political landscape.
Official Response and Removal
Following the backlash, the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages removed the post and issued a bilingual apology late Friday night. In their statement, the office acknowledged: "In light of the feedback we received on our French Facebook page today, we realized that our post did not have the intended impact. Recognizing that it may have disappointed some or caused confusion, we decided to remove it to avoid detracting from our important mandate."
The apology continued: "We acknowledge that the post may have been interpreted in different ways, and we sincerely regret the situation. The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages and its entire team are deeply committed to the French language and work every day to protect and promote it, including through our communications. We remain committed to doing better."
Mixed Public Reaction
Public response to the incident revealed divided opinions. Some social media users defended the post, with one Facebook commenter noting that the "double entendre" didn't bother her, adding: "People do far worse on social media. Why get worked up over a joke? It wasn't hurting anyone at all." Another user simply wrote: "I found it funny."
However, others were more critical, with some suggesting the office appeared to have used automated translation tools rather than proper French language expertise. This criticism touches on broader concerns about language quality in official government communications.
Broader Implications for Language Promotion
This incident raises important questions about how government agencies responsible for language promotion navigate social media communication. The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages has a mandate to protect and promote both English and French across Canada, making their communication choices particularly significant.
The Valentine's Day post controversy serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in creating engaging social media content while maintaining appropriate tone and accuracy in both official languages. It also highlights the ongoing challenges of cultural and linguistic nuance in bilingual communications.
As Canada continues to navigate its unique linguistic landscape, this incident demonstrates how even well-intentioned attempts at engaging the public can backfire when language nuances are not carefully considered. The office's commitment to "doing better" suggests this experience will inform their future communication strategies.
