It's all about the accent...or is it...

I've taken some time to reflect on the language situation in Québec because it is a very complex situation - both for me personally and in the society. As an Anglophone Western Canadian, I have seen the conflict between Canada's two official languages from both sides: the perspective of a sometimes bitter French Canadian population who feels oppressed and dominated by English and cheated out of their rights, and from an English speaking population who thinks the French language should not be "forced" down their throats. I have felt the conflict personally as someone "on the outside" wanting to learn the language and become a part of the"group". Now I must say that living in Vancouver and Edmonton (the West), this attitude did not manifest itself on a daily basis, but once French began to count for something in my life and in my career, it certainly was evident that even Anglophones who could speak French were not held in equal esteem to the Francophone population. While I was a student at university, I had classes with a combination of professors: European (French, Romanian, British), Canadian Anglophones (including a certain Professor Allan Ballah) and French Canadians (both from Québec and Alberta). Tensions sometimes came from the French Canadian professors who insisted their expressions and ways of speaking were the "right" way, even though it may deviate from standard French. In general the French speaking academics co-existed harmoniously and tolerated differences in the language, but it was the students who had the disadvantage because what was allowed in Prof. Dubé's class was corrected and penalized in Prof. Thornberry's. One expression which was (maybe still is) the most contentious was the use of "Bienvenue". This expression means "Welcome". It is on the door mats in both France and Québec, but the French Canadians also use it to mean "you're welcome". This bothers many Europeans and Anglophones because (I'll say it) IT IS NOT CORRECT!! Okay, I got that out of my system. One European professor in my department would get extremely upset when students would use this expression in this way that he would yell out: "I've been here for 25 years, do not say "Welcome" to me". Needless to say, I still have this ringing in my ears and have not been using it here on this trip, but it is still alive and well and it doesn't freak me out like it used to. In fact I have a different take on it now and I am embracing these sorts of things as a language professional. As a teacher, it is incumbant on me to bring these differences to the attention of my students, rather than to deny them. This is what exists in the real world; languages change and evolve whether we like it or not due to all sorts of different influences. (I suddenly feel very evolved myself!)

All of this preamble serves as a background to my expectations about French in Québec this time around. When I have been here in the past, the reception has been mixed. As a student, when I was still mastering the language, in general, the people in Québec City were good. They were patient and encouraging for the most part, but still sometimes proprietory over "their" language. In Montréal however, things were different. Montréalers have the reputation of being intolerant, impatient and condescending to Anglophones speaking French - regardless of their fluency level. I experienced this back then and so have many of my students in Alberta in subsequent years when they went on immersion programs there. Rather than speak French with a non-Québecois, it is their habit to switch into English and "refuse" to speak French. Now while this may happen in Paris (I have never seen this personally but heard that it can), in Montréal it is quite commonplace, even today. We were prepared for this. As soon as we checked into the motel and Allan said "Bonjour", the hotelier began speaking English. We were taken aback and I admonished myself internally for not better practising my "drawl" and my "dts" before arriving. The accent always gives it away! Anyway, we refused to back down and finally at the end of the conversation, she returned to French. This can be very frustrating, even if you are expecting this. In my opinion, this is a big reason not to have a study abroad program in Montréal. Exchanges like this went on like this throughout the day, but I was happy to see that almost all of the time that I began in French, the conversation remained in French.

In Québec City this week, things were the opposite. Not only did I speak French all of the time, in every situation, but I was complimented several times on my French. To me this was a giant leap forward. Someone even asked if I was from France because of course I don't have l'accent québecois. Now, naturally, I am 20 years older and my language skills have improved. But, I sensed a more relaxed, confident French Canadian population this time who is ready to interact and share their language more readily with Anglophones. Sophie was able to speak French and not feel self-conscious as I was concerned she might be. I even had some discussions with people about expressions and accents and they were very open with me about their use of English words and structures often out of laziness. I have also noticed that the more informal "tu" is not used in public like it used to be. When I was here almost 20 years ago, it was normal to have a sales clerk or waiter address you in the informal "tu" instead of "vous" which is for people you do not know. I was surprised, but glad, to see that this had changed because it corresponds with what we teach in class as standard French. I feel much better now about language matters here both personally and on behalf of my future study abroad students.

Since arriving in la belle province, I have been on the look out for interesting expressions, translations and equivalences. I have some great photos of street signs and other written language samples as well as a nice little list of things I've heard this week. These will make wonderful additions to my language classes as well as some preparatory materials for the study abroad students.

Here's one that serves as a fitting end to this post: "Occupez-vous bien" - used here to mean: "Take care" This would not be used in France and might give some Académie members une crise cardiaque, but they say it here!