Quebec, the French Language, and Quebecois Identity

[New Brisavoine]

Originally Posted by le calmar

I'm quite moderate compared to many on this forum regarding our current situation with the US. But even I decided going to the US during the next 4 years is probably not a great idea.

"If you don't go to the US, the US will come to you." Texan saying.

[Loco101]

Originally Posted by Acajack

They pay attention enough and there is enough discussion around the watercooler or coffee for perceptions to form.

Here is Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly telling a francophone reporter yesterday that she'll answer questions in English first. Not sure why she did that - there is no official government or Liberal party policy on that to my knowledge.

https://x.com/1837patriotes/status/1899159334728208599

The reason why she probably did that is because she was likely being picked up by live US or other English language media outside Canada. If they are covering her live then they are much more likely to stay with her if it's in English. Once one French question is asked then they normally cut away. I don't ever remember seeing so many press conferences, scrums, etc with so much international media present for not just our PM but also cabinet ministers.

It's definitely not meant to make francophones and the French language seem inferior. Our government wants to be covered especially by US outlets and other English language ones for influence.

[New Brisavoine]

^^US media certainly don't turn away when Russian officials answer questions in Russian... I think it's mostly some excuse you're trying to find here.

[Loco101]

Originally Posted by New Brisavoine

^^US media certainly don't turn away when Russian officials answer questions in Russian... I think it's mostly some excuse you're trying to find here.

I've watched the US networks and they will often cut away from coverage once a question is asked in French because they don't have a translator. It's not set up with a translator at the site of the press conference or scrum.

Normally if it's in Russian they will have a translator on site since international media is very unlikely to understand Russian.

No I'm not making any type of excuse. I was observant. Why would the American media want to cover stuff in French without translation?

[Tvisforme]

Originally Posted by Loco101

I've watched the US networks and they will often cut away from coverage once a question is asked in French because they don't have a translator. It's not set up with a translator at the site of the press conference or scrum.

Normally if it's in Russian they will have a translator on site since international media is very unlikely to understand Russian.

No I'm not making any type of excuse. I was observant. Why would the American media want to cover stuff in French without translation?

I've also seen situations where the US commentators just talk over the French question/answer (not translating) and resume listening when it goes back to English.

[New Brisavoine]

Originally Posted by Loco101

I've watched the US networks and they will often cut away from coverage once a question is asked in French because they don't have a translator. It's not set up with a translator at the site of the press conference or scrum.

CNN has shown Macron live quite a few times in the past months, and each time they have someone in their studio doing a translation of his French.

[OldDartmouthMark]

Originally Posted by New Brisavoine

^^US media certainly don't turn away when Russian officials answer questions in Russian... I think it's mostly some excuse you're trying to find here.

Actually, I think you’re the one looking for a problem where one doesn’t exist. Loco101 is spot on.

[Loco101]

Originally Posted by Tvisforme

I've also seen situations where the US commentators just talk over the French question/answer (not translating) and resume listening when it goes back to English.

Yes I have noticed that as well.

Translation doesn't normally seem to be provided when it's a cabinet minister holding a press conference whereas it normally is for the PM. I guess normally international media is normally focusing exclusively on the PM but it isn't the case with the Trump trade war.

[MolsonExport]

If you dig hard enough, long enough, eventually you will find something resembling what you are looking for.

[New Brisavoine]

On the bright side of things, 'governor' Carney actually ended up speaking in (halting and awfully clumsy) French during his press conference at the Elysée Palace. Of course, my assumption remains he probably spoke only (or mostly) in English with Macron in private, but at least he made an effort in public (he was reading a pre-written text though, not improvising in French).

[harls]

NB suspiciously quiet on Press Secretary Barbie's remarks on his country, but that has nothing to do with Québec, so carry on.

[New Brisavoine]

Originally Posted by harls

but that has nothing to do with Québec

You're making questions and answers. That spares me some work.

PS: Her remark was obviously disgusting, but so typical of the American Right. If I had been Macron, I would have tweetted "freedom fries anyone?" just to mock them. What's happening right now is good for us Europeans anyway. It FINALLY removes the delusions our fellow Europeans had regarding the US (we in France have never had delusions regarding the Americans, and I think that goes back to the French and Indian Wars).

[New Brisavoine]

Bon sinon, last week for the first time (as far as I can remember) the entry of Canada in the EU was seriously mentioned, but there was also this:

[Docere]

Interesting to look at all the different French Canadian/Quebecois ethnic origin responses(and combinations thereof) in the 2021 census:


French 3,985,945
Quebecois 981,635
French Canadian 906,315
Acadian 305,170

Canadian, French mother tongue 2,449,365

French and Canadian 139,690
Canadian and Quebecois 76,890
French and Quebecois 65,190
French and Acadian 64,320
French and French Canadian 33,660
Canadian and French Canadian 31,685
Quebecois and French Canadian 24,600
Canadian and Acadian 22,690
French Canadian and Acadian 13,590
Quebecois and Acadian 13,530

https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/sip/index.cfm?Lang=E

[harls]

Originally Posted by New Brisavoine

You're making questions and answers. That spares me some work.

PS: Her remark was obviously disgusting, but so typical of the American Right. If I had been Macron, I would have tweetted "freedom fries anyone?" just to mock them. What's happening right now is good for us Europeans anyway. It FINALLY removes the delusions our fellow Europeans had regarding the US (we in France have never had delusions regarding the Americans, and I think that goes back to the French and Indian Wars).

Are you pissed off, a tiny bit? Just a little?

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Loco101

The reason why she probably did that is because she was likely being picked up by live US or other English language media outside Canada. If they are covering her live then they are much more likely to stay with her if it's in English. Once one French question is asked then they normally cut away. I don't ever remember seeing so many press conferences, scrums, etc with so much international media present for not just our PM but also cabinet ministers.

It's definitely not meant to make francophones and the French language seem inferior. Our government wants to be covered especially by US outlets and other English language ones for influence.

Thanks. This is the best explanation I have heard for this. And maybe one of the only logical ones.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Docere

Interesting to look at all the different French Canadian/Quebecois ethnic origin responses(and combinations thereof) in the 2021 census:


French 3,985,945
Quebecois 981,635
French Canadian 906,315
Acadian 305,170

Canadian, French mother tongue 2,449,365

French and Canadian 139,690
Canadian and Quebecois 76,890
French and Quebecois 65,190
French and Acadian 64,320
French and French Canadian 33,660
Canadian and French Canadian 31,685
Quebecois and French Canadian 24,600
Canadian and Acadian 22,690
French Canadian and Acadian 13,590
Quebecois and Acadian 13,530

https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/sip/index.cfm?Lang=E

This is a bit confusing, though yes a considerable number of French Canadians now check off "Canadian" (actually "Canadien") as opposed to French as their ethnic origin on the census. Likely because they consider themselves to be descendants of the original and true Canadie/ans.

It's quite conceivable that a number of them are hardcore PQ supporters and want independence, but still check off "Canadien" on the census.

I wouldn't expect the red and white maple leaf on flagpoles in front of all of their houses.

[dreambrother808]

Originally Posted by New Brisavoine

On the bright side of things, 'governor' Carney actually ended up speaking in (halting and awfully clumsy) French during his press conference at the Elysée Palace. Of course, my assumption remains he probably spoke only (or mostly) in English with Macron in private, but at least he made an effort in public (he was reading a pre-written text though, not improvising in French).

His French is painful to listen to but seems like it is improving somewhat with practice lately.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

His French is painful to listen to but seems like it is improving somewhat with practice lately.

Is it? I haven't noticed though admittedly I haven't been as hyper-attentive to the news as usual lately. (Though still more than the average person.)

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by dreambrother808

His French is painful to listen to but seems like it is improving somewhat with practice lately.

Hardly painful - it's much better than the Anglo-Canadian average. Some of the seeming hesitancy comes from the way he speaks in 3-4 word "bites". He does the same in English.