Language dynamics in Ottawa highlight the challenges faced by Mark Carney in the PLC leadership race, particularly regarding the quality of his French website translations. Despite gaining support from key Quebec ministers, experts criticized the automated translations, suggesting they lack clarity and effort. In contrast, Chrystia Freeland has actively engaged with the French-speaking community, emphasizing the importance of the French language in her campaign and advocating for balanced debates in both languages.
Language Dynamics in Ottawa
There’s a popular saying that in Ottawa, two languages exist: English and its translation. This concept rings particularly true for Mark Carney, a candidate in the PLC leadership race. His French website appears to have been crafted using an automated translation service.
Support for Mark Carney Grows
Since kicking off his campaign, the former governor of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England has garnered backing from several key ministers in Quebec. Notably, François-Philippe Champagne has joined the ranks of supporters, standing alongside Steven Guilbeault, Mélanie Joly, and Steven MacKinnon as they prepare for an official event in Shawinigan this Sunday.
Besides his campaign launch in Edmonton, where he exhibited a decent grasp of the French language, and a spontaneous interview with TVA in Montreal, Carney has maintained a relatively low profile at the beginning of this race.
Concerns Over Website Translation
The situation regarding the French version of his website has raised eyebrows among linguistic experts. A review by specialists revealed that many of the translations appear to have been generated by Google Translate. While some sentences were adjusted, the quality leaves much to be desired, according to Rose-Hélène Côté, our linguistic revision director.
For instance, the phrase “Meet Mark” translates awkwardly to “Rencontrez Mark,” when more suitable options like “Découvrez Mark” or “Apprenez-en plus sur Mark” would have been preferable. Additionally, the statement about Carney managing the economy “during the Brexit crisis and the other subsequent economic and political crises” has been flagged as inaccurate.
One of the most glaring examples of inadequate translation comes from the phrase “Sign up to receive updates from Mark,” which experts believe lacks effort and clarity. They suggest alternatives like “Sign up to receive the latest news from Mark” or “Sign up for Mark’s newsletter.” Éric Lancelot-Dupuis, a reviewer, commented that the overall impression of the website’s French translation is subpar, indicating that it seems to be a low priority for the campaign.
In response to these concerns, Carney’s campaign asserts that the translation was not solely reliant on Google Translate or any similar automated service. However, a campaign staff member did mention that a revised version of the website would be launched soon after inquiries were made.
Chrystia Freeland’s Approach
In contrast, Chrystia Freeland has taken significant steps to connect with Quebec and emphasize the importance of the French language since the outset of her campaign. She notably chose TVA for her first interview, stating, “For me, Quebec, the French language, the distinct identity, the Quebec nation will be at the heart of my campaign.” Freeland expressed her concerns about the current state of the French language and identity in Quebec, emphasizing their vulnerability.
On Friday, she issued a statement advocating for four debates in the leadership race, proposing an equal split between English and French discussions. During his brief interview with TVA, Mark Carney also acknowledged the challenges facing the French language, asserting, “I know that French is in decline. It needs to be protected, it needs to be strengthened, and it needs to be promoted. And my campaign, my government, will do that.”