Is the French language declining in Quebec?

[Mendalla]

From the "Oh God, here we go again" file:

Angst around French language boils over in Quebec, as politicians warn of 'decline'

Once again, Quebec is getting angsty about language. The BQ is proposing to make French required for people taking Canadian citizenship in Quebec. The Quebec government themselves are looking into applying Bill 101 to Federally-regulated organizations (banks, Via, airlines, etc.). And they might get help with that, since PM Trudeau has spoken in support of Bill 101.

Is this really going to help Quebec or is it just another form of separation from the rest of Canada (and North America for that matter)? Past outbursts of linguistic nationalism and sovereignty have usually ended up hurting them, with businesses moving out and immigrants not from French-speaking regions choosing to go elsewhere. Apparently, French is more important than attracting business and skilled labour.

Thoughts?

 

[ninj]

There's a fear that the original language will degrade by the addition of English words into the popular culture instead of using French equivalents. Here in NB, it's a lively issue since we are are officially bilingual. In the neighbourhood of Shediac for example, a dialect know as "Chiac" is spoken. It uses many English words and is reviled by purists.
In Quebec, they don't want bilingual greetings such as is common here -- "Hello/bonjour", they will only recognize "bonjour". The issue is the "Hello" because it's an English word.

"Bonjour/wassup" has been proposed, but some think "wassup" is an English word too. (Tongue firmly in cheek!)

I think one rationale is that preserving the language, preserves the culture, and Quebec has traditionally enjoyed that protection by the federal government with funded separate schooling etc.

 

[Graeme Decarie]

this is a very painful subject for me. For over twenty years I was on the board of Alliance Quebec, the English rights group. Though I'm English, I grew up in the heavily French part of Montreal and half of my ancestry is French with the other have Scottish.. Thus a major highway of Montreal, Decarie Boulevard. But, oh, those twenty years of fighting separatism were horribly destructive. Quebec, like most of Canada, has a long history of racist hatreds. (I now live in Ottawa which seems to be one of Canada's more tolerant cities.)

 

[Luce NDs]

this is a very painful subject for me. For over twenty years I was on the board of Alliance Quebec, the English rights group. Though I'm English, I grew up in the heavily French part of Montreal and half of my ancestry is French with the other have Scottish.. Thus a major highway of Montreal, Decarie Boulevard. But, oh, those twenty years of fighting separatism were horribly destructive. Quebec, like most of Canada, has a long history of racist hatreds. (I now live in Ottawa which seems to be one of Canada's more tolerant cities.)

Yet is Ottawa any more governable or still NG?

 

[Graeme Decarie]

Point taken. Us humans are a sorry lot.

 

[Luce NDs]

Point taken. Us humans are a sorry lot.

Oh to be self aware as the books states ... know thyself! Yet this is denied as light (humor).

Some say satyr is a non existent donkey ... carries on in our dreams, imagination, etc. Mythical MU-el! Some say Moe-L ... subtle as that wee dark aye ...