International Perspective
Summary Table of the Countries Examined
Belgium
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|
|---|---|
| Designation in the country's official languages |
Belgique - België - Belgien |
| Area | 30,527km² (Canada: 9,976,140km²) |
| Population 2014 | 11.4 million (est. 2017) / Canada: 32.82 million (est. 2016)
Dutch: 55.7% |
| Official Languages | Dutch, French, and German |
| Capital City | Brussels |
| Main Language Laws | -Constitution(1994) -Law Governing the Use of Languages in Administrative Matters, coordinated on July 18, 1966. |
Switzerland
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|
|---|---|
| Designation in the country's official languages |
Suisse - Schweiz - Svizzera - Svizra |
| Area | 41,285km² (Canada: 9,976,140km²) |
| Population (2004) | 8.4 million (est. 2017) / Canada: 36.2 million (est. 2016)
German: 57.3% |
| Official languages | German, French, Italian, and Rumansh (regional) |
| Capital City | Bern |
| Language Laws | - Constitution (2000) - Federal Act on National Languages and Harmony Among Linguistic Communities (draft bill, March 2001) - Federal Act Respecting Financial Assistance for the Safeguard and Promotion of the Rumansh and Italian languages and Cultures (October 6, 1995) |
Finland
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|
|---|---|
| Designation in the country's official languages |
Suomi - Finland |
| Area | 337,032km² (Canada: 9,976,140km²) |
| Population (2017) | 5.5 million (est. 2017) / Canada: 36.2 million (est. 2016)
Finnish: 89.9% |
| Official languages | Finnish and Swedish |
| Capital City | Helsinki |
| Language Laws | - Constitution (2000) - Language Act (2004) |
Ireland
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|
|---|---|
| Designation in the country's official languages |
Héireann - Ireland |
| Area | 337,032km² (Canada: 9,976,140km²) |
| Population (2004) | 4.7 million (est. 2016) / Canada: 36.2million (est. 2016)
English: 83/6% |
| Official languages | English and Irish |
| Capital City | Dublin |
| Language Laws | - Constitution (2000) - Official Languages Act (2003) |
India
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|
|---|---|
| Designation in the country's official languages |
India - Bharât / भारत |
| Area | 3.2 million km² (Canada: 9,976,140km²) |
| Population (2004) | 1.342 billion (est. 2017) / Canada: 36.2 million (est. 2016)
English: 2 % |
| Official languages | English and Hindi |
| Capital City | New Delhi |
| Language Laws | - Constitution (1950) - Official Languages Act (1963-1967) - Official Languages Rules (1976-1987) |
Spain
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|
|---|---|
| Designation in the country's official languages |
España (off. Castillan); Espanya (Catalan), España (Galician), Espainia (Basque) |
| Area | 504,748 sq km (Canada: 9,976,140 sq km) |
| Population (2004) | 42.8 millions (est. 2004) / Canada: 31.8 millions (est. 2004)
Castillan: 72.8% |
| Official Languages | Castillan (central) Catalan, Basque, Galician (regional) |
| Capital City | Madrid |
| Language Laws | - Constitution (2000) - Laws of linguistic significance |
Cameroon
|
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|
|---|---|
| Name in the official languages of the country | Cameroun - Cameroon |
| Area | 475 442 km² (Canada : 9 976 140 km²) |
| Population (2017) | 25,2 millions (est. 2018) / Canada : 36,2 millions (est. 2016)
Français : 78 % |
| Official languages of the country | French and English |
| Capital | Yaoundé |
| Language laws | - Constitution (1996) - Circular No. 001/CAB/PM of 16 August relative to the practice of bilingualism (1991); - Decree No. 2017/013 of 23 January 2017 to lay down the establishment, organization and functioning of the National Commission on the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism |
Singapore
|
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|
|---|---|
|
Name in the official languages |
Republic of Singapore (in English) Republik Singapura (in Malay) Cingkappūrā Kudiyaracu (in Tamil: சிங்கப்பூர்) Xīnjīapō Gònghégúo (in Chinese: 新加坡共和国) |
| Area | 693 km² (Canada : 9 976 140 km²) |
| Population (2018) |
5.7 million (est. 2018) / Canada: 36.2 million (est. 2016) Mandarin Chinese: 24.8 % Malay: 6.7 % Tamil: 2.0 % English: 3.7 % Other languages: 3.72% (more than 40 other languages) |
| Official languages | English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil |
| Capital City | Singapore |
| Language Laws | - Constitution(1995) - Official Languages Act(2004) - Official Languages Rules(1957) |
Mauritiius
|
|
|
Names |
Republic of Mauritius (English) |
|
Surface area |
2040 km² (Canada: 9,976,140 km²) |
|
Population (2018) |
2.1 million (est. 2018) / Canada: 36.2 million (est. 2016) Mauritian Creole: 86.5 % |
|
Official languages |
English (de facto) French(de facto) |
|
Capital |
Port Louis (French: Port-Louis) |
|
Laws relating to language |
- Constitution (1968) |