Be careful if you use pictures which specifically represent something purely American. Those of us who have lived here for years are accustomed to “translating” into Canadian when this happens, but newcomers may not realize there is a difference. In terminology, for instance, we do not have Miranda rights (although we see them in practice almost any night on TV). US money (as in the picture) is different from Canadian. The July 4 celebrations are not Canadian. Neither do we have “affirmative action” in Canada; the Canadian term is “employment equity.”

Some new Canadians have spent time in refugee camps, having survived war and social upheaval in their country of origin. Showing soldiers or police can trigger fears. So can pictures, however humorously meant, of prisoners in striped clothing.

Pictures in materials intended for people with English as a second language do not always need to be as literal as they do for people with developmental disabilities.

In many countries, people (especially women) do not appear in skimpy clothing. You don’t need to use pictures in which people are covered from head to toe, but bikinis are perhaps not a good choice for a lakeside picnic picture. Indeed, pictures of “sexy” women are offensive to many people whatever country they are from, as these are often used to objectify women.

Showing a man and a woman working together can lead to misunderstanding. In some cultures, the picture on the left would likely be interpreted as a married couple, rather than two business colleagues. This does not mean pictures like this should never be used, but decide how important it is for readers to get the main point.

Do show pictures of women in positions of authority at work, as that is finally, if slowly, becoming a reality in Canadian society.

[Doubtful picture choices are on the left, better ones on the right.]