Olde Orchard story lumbers into TVA
TVA reports on the question of Ye Olde Orchard and whether it should change its name or at least respond to the OQLF’s demand for a corrective addition to the sign.
In none of these stories has it been noted that the Olde Orchard – at least, the original one on Monkland, since there are now several other branches – takes its name from the adjoining street called Old Orchard, so renaming the pub(s) Le Vieux Verger would be extra silly, unless the street is renamed as well.
(Why have streets like City Councillors and Old Orchard not had their names changed to French ones by now? I have no idea.)
Ephraim 10:29 on 2023-05-10 Permalink
They could just add “Le” and become Le Ye Olde Orchard. Though of course they could also add Pub Ye Old Orchard, which would be French, because in English the Pub would be at the end, not the start.
Kate 11:38 on 2023-05-10 Permalink
The “Ye” in “Ye Olde” type names is just “The”. There used to be a letter called thorn which stood for the “th” sound, and for some reason it was kept on some signs after it fell out of general orthography.
However, “Le Olde Orchard” is kind of a monstrosity.
DeWolf 12:30 on 2023-05-10 Permalink
We’re talking about a chain pub here, not some mom and pop operation struggling to get by. They can afford to print two vinyl words (“Restaurant-Bar”? “Pub Irlandais”?) and slap them above the existing sign to be in compliance with the law.
Even the OQLF is clear in the Gazette article: at no point will Ye Olde Orchard need to translate its trademarked name into French.
Ian 08:51 on 2023-05-11 Permalink
“Pub Ye Olde Orchard” is a tempest in a teapot but I can’t help but wonder why Couche-Tard, Renaud-Bray, Réno-Dépot or DeSerres don’t need additional descriptors …