Would that be a Freedom Dog?
A Quebecois blind man with a francophone guide dog was barred from an English immersion course at the University of New Brunswick.
A blind Quebec student, who was denied entry to English classes at a Canadian university because his guide dog responds only to French commands, will be allowed to attend class, the school said on Wednesday. Yvan Tessier was turned away from an English immersion course at the University of New Brunswick because he would be forced to give his dog, Pavot, instructions in French.
(Via Follow Me Here)
They reversed their position after a storm of outrage and mockery, so's you know. I think a good case could be made that the instructions given to the guide dog are not *language* (since dogs don't understand language), but arbitrary signs that happen to resemble words of French, but that could be any combination of sounds.
Posted by Zvi on July 10 2004 04:27
Oh, you know the separatists in Quebec have been having a field day with this one...
Posted by jen on July 10 2004 05:11
Was it a Freedom Poodle? And what do they call a Bichon Frise in Canada? Not to mention, say, a Dogue de Bordeaux (horreurs!) or a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen?
Posted by Mike Jones on July 10 2004 11:28