Franglais? Frenglish?
The little battle between French and English Canadians is quite amusing. They criticize each other as a sport, political, social, cultural bashing. "We're better than you and you're worse than me". You can see it in the language issue, especially here in Québec where people are so protective of their Langue Française and if you speak a little bit of it, you better make your best efforts in order NOT to offend any of these Quebecois blurting some English words. And it goes the other way around, the English Canadians that won't accept French is the other official language of this country.
I don't know if I'm getting the whole picture wrong, but that's what I've been feeling since I got here. Originally, Canada (except BC) was a French colony, then France lost a war and the English took the territories; Québec maintained its French culture until these days and people here are proud of that. Just ask my neighbor, an Italian descendant, that picked a fight at the local deli because the owners answered in English when she spoke to them in French... ha ha! And she understands English! Isn't it silly? Entertainer? The deli owners are Italian (Bon Giorno is the name of the deli, ha ha!); they could've used their mother language. Anyway!
I have no idea what brings me to write this entry. I was discussing this with Elisa the other day; the whole culture-absorbing issue (we were even having Greek dessert). I guess it's because I think if this is a country, then live as a country. Or heck... We can have a Republic of Québec without being picked by the ROC. Even better, to solve the language issue, let's just use the before-colony language of the Aboriginals. That would be truly Canadian.
February 20th, 2003 - 13:01
I was surprised to find that they speak French in Nova Scotia, too. I remember driving off the Scotia Prince, and trying to find a radio station to listen to…and most of them were in French.
Although the Acadians were pretty much kicked out by the British, there is still an Acadian community there, and they definitely speak French. Sadly, we didn’t have time to stop in on our trip, but next time, we’ll stay longer and visit Clare.
I have four years of high school French under my belt…wonder how fast I could pick it up again! :smile:
February 20th, 2003 - 14:05
Well Bea, better come to New Brunswick, the only truly bilingual province in the country. Aside from that whole booting-out-the-French thingy, I thing we get along better than those in Quebec.
Some cities are primarily English, and some are primarily French. Awful fun going to Moncton to speak Franglais.
My French is limited to swearing and yelling at my kids. But I’m English so… If I were French, though, I would make darn sure my kids knew how to speak it. It is not often the case here.
this is a great discusssion! I could go on and on! Where’s Babs, she’ll know even more… :laugh:
February 20th, 2003 - 16:11
I don’t know Bea. I’m a Brit living right in the heart of it here in Quebec City and, my French is still abysmal. So I resort, quite often, to speaking in English and, have nevere had any problems with people, who have been very kind and accomodating. Maybe it’s different there, in Montreal, I don’t know? I know most people here are open and friendfly, whatever the language.
February 20th, 2003 - 16:52
I love the French language. Although I can’t speak a word of it LOL My son is in French Immersion and my “eastern” relatives all speak French (Prince Edward Island). Northern Ontario has a lot of French speaking people and did you know that Winnipeg is the second largest French speaking community outside of Quebec? I found that out last week when my daughter did a project on Winnipeg. I personally feel the media makes this French/English thing a lot bigger than it is.
February 21st, 2003 - 08:01
Well you just knew I’d have to throw my two cents in didn’t you Bea :wink: As a person who moved here to this 99% French-speaking city two and half years ago, the most difficult part was losing a salary of $50,000 a year because I didn’t speak French. The trouble with Canada is that French should be a mandatory subject throughout the country as well as English. When André had his heart attack a little over a year ago, no one in the hospital here could speak a word of English. Imagine how frightened I was going home that first night not knowing what was going on with him. We have a college here. Do you think they teach French there? NOT!! Children here do not have the right to go to an English school unless one of their parents is English. How’s that for being supressed? Have you ever tried to enter a contest in Canada? If you live here you are excluded from entering. What’s up with that? I love the French people, don’t get me wrong, I just find it incredible with my profession that this is the only province in Canada where I cannot use it. There is an unspoken hatred in many French for the English. What they don’t realize, is that it was England that they had the problem with ions ago. The Irish can tell you a few things about the English as well believe me. This is the only province where the funds for training in French go to the provincial government. In the rest of Canada, you could go to unemployment to learn the language. I personally took a course when I first arrived here through the provincial government. Well, I definitely learned the days of the week anyway. I suppose at least where you live Bea, there are many English-speaking residents as well. Not true here. I find it extremely lonely at the best of times. I talk André’s ear off when he gets home from work. Then there’s all the commerce that have left this province because of the language barrier leaving so many people out of work. Wow…guess I better shut up for now.