Written languages still in their infancy
B.C.’s growing number of Indigenous languages’ place names printed alongside English signages in familiar sites presents a very real challenge for most of us.
Many people don’t even attempt to decipher the infrequently used symbols representing these places’ earlier references.
One letter writer thoughtfully suggested that yet a third line — a phonetic spelling in English — be added underneath them. That would certainly enable people to become far more familiar with the aural referencing used by Indigenous people and over time we would all eventually use traditional references with ease.
The fact that there seem to be no known visually crafted (written) symbols or hieroglyphics for the languages of B.C.’s Indigenous nations poses a dilemma.
The current solution to join this missing linguistic link is for Indigenous translators to borrow from the practical alphabets of the English typewriter keyboard and add a few diacritics when required.
That famous old colonialist, William Churchill, would probably have referred to a situation such as this as a bit of “a riddle wrapped up in a conundrum.”
Fortunately, languages aren’t static; they evolve. The written languages of the Indigenous peoples are still very much in their infancy.
Like most linguistic evolutions they are borrowing from other languages — in B.C.’s case, English — to finally develop a broader more usable, readable and relatable form of communication for all of us to learn, respect and enjoy.
Jocelyn Skrlac
Victoria
What lies behind scandals?
Re: “NDP looks helpless in dealing with housing scandal,” May 10.
It’s interesting how a government deals with scandal, even one that professes to hold high the values of democracy, transparency, and accountability.
Molière once said, “It is not only what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable.”
B.C. Housing’s failure to comply with its own conflict-of-interest policies and its unwillingness to ensure strict financial oversight of billions of taxpayer dollars reveals the depth of the problem that lies at the foundation of this para-public agency.
The forensic audit shows that B.C. Housing’s No. 1 social housing provider was for many years the primary beneficiary of sweetheart deals.
This accounting report reveals clearly how the game is played when it relies on key decision-makers who cultivate and enjoy the rewards of “special interest” relationships.
In an economic system that worships money over morals, that admires scoundrels as much as skinflints, it’s not surprising to see such scandals.
Accountability is just rhetoric. When misconduct and mismanagement are exposed, history shows that those with power and privilege suffer few consequences.
Constituents are treated like audience members invited to watch a public spectacle. Their only role is to acknowledge that human folly is inevitable and then politely applaud this form of ‘civilized’ entertainment.
In closing, perhaps we should all reflect on the words of Molière who also said, “Hypocrisy is a fashionable vice, and all fashionable vices pass for virtue.”
Victoria Adams
Victoria
Finding ways to reduce car kilometres
Re: “We must pay attention to our climate targets,” letter, May 5.
Much of western Canada is reeling from floods, fires, or both. Again.
Nearly 30,000 people in Alberta have been displaced from their homes by wildfires. Scientists warned us that extreme flood and fire events would become more frequent if we failed to meet our greenhouse-gas reduction targets.
We are in a climate emergency, as the Capital Regional District board unanimously acknowledged.
Over a year ago, the provincial government set a target for 25 per cent fewer vehicle kilometres traveled by 2030. The reduction is critical to reaching CleanBC goals.
But as the 2022 Report of the B.C. Climate Solutions Council notes: “There are not yet specific projections for how this reduction will be achieved.” 2030 is not far away.
Climate leadership means planning for a future with far fewer cars. It means creating bus lanes from the Legislature to downtown Langford so the new 95 rapid bus can be rapid and reliable.
It means reforming zoning so people don’t have to “drive till they qualify.” It means building safe bike and roll routes faster, and improving existing ones so more people feel safe using them.
It means creating walkable neighbourhoods. It means immediately cancelling expensive highway expansion projects like the Keating interchange – more capacity encourages more driving, not less.
As Brent Toderian says, we need fewer cars, less driving, more inviting mobility options, and better communities and cities.
Jim Mayer
Victoria
For improvement, vote for change
Re: “Accountability needed to deal with homeless and addiction challenges,” commentary, May 10.
Once again words of wisdom, this time by former Victoria councillor Stephen Andrew. Alas, former is the operative word.
This is unfortunate because his is the kind of mindset we need to implement constructive sustainable solutions. Yet the majority of people in Victoria, in the last election, voted for the status quo, which did not include Andrew.
How do we move forward with improvements if, as a society, we gripe about social issues but continue to vote for a council that is “business as usual”?
Dawn Devereaux
Victoria
Ban large pickups in urban areas
On Wednesday afternoon, just after 4:10 p.m., as I was sitting in the Westside Village Starbucks, a humongous pickup truck drove directly into me and nearly killed me.
I don’t know why or how that happened. I just know that a man driving a huge truck that is ill-suited to an urban environment didn’t stop at the curb while “parking” (I guess), and could have killed me had it not stopped mere centimetres ahead of the place where I was peacefully sitting down and enjoying a cup of tea.
I don’t know why we allow “vanity” trucks like these in our urban environment. They serve no purpose for the average urbanite and they are, very clearly, dangerous.
I would like to see Victoria and adjacent urban municipalities impose bans on these vehicles for the average person. I understand that some people need them for their work, but for those people we can issue permits after the owner (usually a corporation, not an individual) has proven a need and has paid a heavy “processing fee.”
All other people should not have access to these vehicles.
I am lucky that nothing happened to me, besides the terror I felt for a few seconds, and the trauma that will surely follow me for the rest of my life, but the next person who is sitting in the wrong place at the wrong time may not be so lucky.
We must act now. Please ban vanity trucks in our urban areas.
Alfredo Franco Cea
Victoria
Clarity is needed for all users of park trails
If you see a dog walker with no control “wreaking havoc” on the trails they should be held accountable. I drive a well-marked vehicle and am always wearing company branded apparel so that trail users know exactly who is responsible for my dogs.
Saanich’s parks department has told me “we plan to develop a policy/process to address commercial dog walkers use of parks as an outcome of the People, Pets and Parks Strategy,” which is currently under development.
At this time, they’re working on a case-by-case basis until they have a more formalized process in place.
I’m looking forward to the new policies being developed and hope they bring some clarity to the situation so that all trail users understand what is and is not allowed in parks.
Zoe Anderson
Owner/operator, Petiquette
Saanich
Build a second highway route instead
The Trans-Canada Highway Malahat Safety Improvements cannot go ahead as designed.
Encroaching into the riparian area of a live and thriving river goes against the government’s own rules (SPEA) of respecting a 30-metre buffer on each side of the river. No landowner would be allowed to do that.
Taking down about 800 trees and the canopy they provide to the river and the earth is counter-intuitive to what we know to be true today.
Steps away you have signs saying Environmental Restoration in Progress – not exactly accurate is it, if this goes ahead.
Yes, widening the Malahat at that spot would be safer today but the actual problem with that stretch is that it is overused. The population has grown and areas north of the Malahat have become bedroom communities for south of the Malahat.
The real need is a secondary connection from the South Island to the north. As a stopgap measure, make improvements that don’t encroach on the river (including the walkway) and only take out minimal canopy across from the river. Then pursue a secondary connection to the South Island, and do it without years of more studies.
There is no need for a megaproject here.
Linda Webb
Langford
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