French is in decline: OQLF
The OQLF has produced two new studies proving that French is in decline, nobody’s speaking it enough at home – but the trend can’t be blamed on allophone immigration. So now you know who the villains are – me and Shakespeare.
Thomas 21:35 on 2021-03-29 Permalink
I often wonder how French always seems to be in terminal decline as more and more English schools close every year. I would also be curious to know if these dire statistics include the entire metropolitan region, or just Montreal proper.
In any case, I live in Ahuntsic and the only place I ever hear or use English is inside my own head.
Ephraim 05:29 on 2021-03-30 Permalink
Oh, a surprise… a self serving organization has produced a study showing it’s need for existence. Can we fold them into the OIB? About as useful and just as self serving.
Mitchell 06:19 on 2021-03-30 Permalink
I’m not sure how to articulate this, but there are kind of odd resonances between this post and the one below about anti-Asian (and other) racism. Elevating one language above others is also elevating speakers of that language above those who don’t, won’t, or can’t speak it. But the most knee-jerk way to identify someone who “doesn’t speak my language” is their physical appearance. And since Montreal is filled with people who “don’t look Quebecois” (whatever a Quebecois looks like), well, then . . .
jeather 08:59 on 2021-03-30 Permalink
And yet, the decline in French spoken at home — which is “what will the numbers be like in 2036”, not “what are they like now” — is actually not balanced out by an increase in English spoken at home. And something like 94% of people will be able to speak French.
Uatu 10:21 on 2021-03-30 Permalink
Here’s a deal, I will quit seeing racism everywhere if they quit seeing everything as an assault on the Quebecois culture 😛
jeather 10:34 on 2021-03-30 Permalink
Asking for that sounds like an assault on Quebecois culture, Uatu.
Paul 11:37 on 2021-03-30 Permalink
The study doesn’t show French in decline, they show unilingual (or french only) households in decline. The actual comprehension of French is increasing as we transition from unilingual to bilingual.
This should be celebrated
Jack 11:52 on 2021-03-30 Permalink
I know this is another Quebec taboo but this issue is not about language. It is about ethnicity. The French origin majority have a current birth rate that makes immigration essential, yet many in that community are not comfortable with this reality. Unlike before Law 101 these immigrants want in, it’s the wanting in that fuels the angst of MBC and Quebecor. They can sell fear with this issue.
steph 12:42 on 2021-03-30 Permalink
can’t we just go back to the glory of the 50’s, when white people didn’t have to worry about racism? //s
Meezly 15:05 on 2021-03-30 Permalink
I’m curious as to why this such a Quebec taboo, does this explain why there is a serious lack of critical analysis at how Quebec nationalism is based on fear of the other?
Jack 21:10 on 2021-03-30 Permalink
Because it allows you to talk about what is an ethnic issue and ultimately a question of supremacy, using neutral language. Francophone, Anglophone, Allophone are words that break us down ethnically.