Opinion: I'm fluent in French, so why does Quebec see me as a menace?

Article content material

In a dialogue hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal in early Might, French Language Minister Jean-François Roberge pointed the finger squarely at immigrants — and momentary overseas staff particularly — relating to the perceived decline of French in Quebec.

Article content material

Roberge stated momentary immigrants are one of many causes French is dropping floor and added “we can not tolerate that they’re anglicizing Quebec.”

Article content material

Later in Might, the Legault authorities tabled plans to require French of virtually all financial immigrants earlier than they transfer to Quebec. The plan makes no express point out of momentary immigration, however Roberge’s earlier feedback make it clear  this authorities views their language use as insupportable.

These are grossly unfair, deceptive assessments. For instance, the federal government typically cites statistics displaying fewer than 75 per cent of Quebecers named French as their mom tongue in 2021, down from 82 per cent in 1991. However not having French as your mom tongue doesn’t imply you don’t converse French fluently.

Article content material

Article content material

Over the identical interval, English-French bilingualism has elevated by greater than 11 proportion factors, in keeping with Statistics Canada. A number of French audio system are thus counted among the many 25 per cent — that’s to say, as a part of the issue — and never the 75 per cent.

Most Quebecers and practically 70 per cent of Montrealers can converse in two or extra languages, with multiple in 5 being trilingual. However this authorities appears to view multilingualism as a internet adverse somewhat than as an asset to be celebrated.

Because the early Nineties Quebec’s fertility price has declined to round 1.5 and by no means approached the pure alternative price of two.1. Quebecers are merely not having sufficient youngsters to construct on the variety of French audio system.

Article content material

Quebec has additionally seen a internet loss to interprovincial migration. But, worldwide migration has helped Quebec to develop its inhabitants, workforce and its ranks of French audio system.

French proficiency has elevated in absolute phrases partially because of, not regardless of, immigration. However as a result of “mom tongue” or “language spoken at house” metrics are offered — and infrequently “information of” or “fluency in” — the share seems to point out a lower in French. This divides folks and inflames tensions.

Like me, my associate additionally moved to Quebec on momentary standing — to check French. Immediately we’re each Canadian residents and fogeys of a toddler for whom French is turning into her major language. Had we been required to talk French earlier than bodily transferring to Quebec, we might not have moved right here and by no means have met. Quebec could be down three French audio system.

Article content material

After we name relations, we converse English or Spanish. After we go to the shop throughout the street, we work together with employees solely in French. Who’s threatened by this?

By studying French in Quebec, newcomers profit from years of every day micro-interactions, ensuing within the distinctive Québécois flavour that helps with longer-term settlement. It’s as a result of we study French proper right here that we’re in a position to make a extra holistic contribution to society. We choose up all of the nuances of how French is definitely spoken in real-life conditions, somewhat than studying in summary, tutorial environments overseas. In essence, our journey to turning into full-fledged members of society is grounded on this effort.

We study by cohabiting, socializing, working and even courting throughout linguistic traces. And after we finally turn out to be fluent, we’re nonetheless held up as a menace as a result of our mom tongue can’t be modified.

Article content material

To undergo the years-long means of studying a language from scratch to fluency, solely to be offered as a part of the issue and never the answer, is an affront to the huge, optimistic position newcomers play in shaping Quebec.

The opposite resolution? Have far more youngsters.

Hugo O’Doherty is the director of partnerships for Moving2Canada. A twin citizen of Canada and Eire, he lives in Montreal.