DCHP-3

bicultural

DCHP-2 (Oct 2016)

Spelling variants:
bi-cultural

adj. — French relations

relating to the cultural legacy of Canada’s two founding colonial powers, Britain and France.

Type: 4. Culturally Significant — The earliest Canadian attestation of this term is a reference in a speech by Graham Spry in 1929 to the "bi-cultural character of the nation" (see Canadian Encyclopedia reference). The Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism initiated in 1963 uses the term to refer to the existence of British and French cultures in Canada and their special role as the two "founding" nations (note that Aboriginal cultures are not considered in this interpretation). This term is intricately linked to language, although it also refers to cultural aspects such as literature, art and theatre. It is noted that although the term is relatively new, its concept has historical roots. See bilingualism.
See also Gage-3, s.v. "bicultural" (2), which is marked "Cdn.", ITP Nelson, s.v. "bicultural" (2), which is marked "Canadian".

Quotations

1944
The country had committed itself to a bi-cultural civilization, with the Union act of 1841, and the same principle was recognized in Confederation, he pointed out.
1957
Through some subtle process of identification Canadians of both cultures broadened the trial and execution of Louis Riel at Regina into a trial of bicultural society.
1963
Campus Canada, the bicultural national student magazine, will be at UBC in time for French-Canada Week.
1972
In order for English-speaking and French-speaking units and individuals to be connected in government, some key managers and senior units have to be truly bicultural as well bilingual -- a far subtler and more exigent requirement.
1985
The commissioners had been instructed to take into account the "contribution made by the other ethnic groups to the cultural enrichment of Canada" and to promote "more widespread appreciation of the basically bicultural character of the country and of the subsequent contribution made by the other cultures."
1995
But self-interest is also a theme, particularly in U.S. coverage. (The New Republic, a magazine that once concluded that Worthwhile Canadian Initiative was the most boring headline imaginable, has so far resisted the siren call of Canada's bicultural battle.)
2007
"We could choose to flourish by merely jettisoning the Ozymandian wreckage of a failed bicultural state ... Without Quebec a majority of Canadians would be electors of Ralph Klein and Michael Harris."
2013
He's actually pure-laine bicultural - his dad is an anglo, his late mom was franco-Quebecois. He went to school in English in Quebec City - Holland School for grade school and Quebec High School - and each parent spoke to him and his brother in their respective mother tongue.

References