Language Tendencies in Quebec
1960 until 2000:
Is French going to remain the
predominant language in Quebec, or
are the first steps towards a
replacement by English already done?

American Cultural History
Proseminar "Canada Today"
WS 04/05

Susanne Schalch

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Outline

Thesis statement:
Is French going to remain the predominant language in Quebec, or are the first steps towards a replacement by English already done?

I. The number of the French speaking population in Quebec is a lot higher than the English one. But is it possible in today´s world not to be overrun by "anglicization"?
II. French Candians are very proud of their culture and language
1. Foreigners need to be able to talk in French in Quebec
2. French is at the core of Quebecois´ national culture
3. French is worth to be preserved
4. "Pollution" of the French language needs to be prevented
III. Quebecois define themselves by comparison to France and by opposition to the English language
1. Joual as a mixture between English and French as a sign of "distinctiveness"
2. Joual became popular in different layers of society
3. Joual faded in order to cure the Quebec language
4. Joual as a "variety of French spoken in Quebec"
5. Joual as a dialect spoken by Quebecers of Montreal
6. Joual as a deformed language
IV. French is the official language of Quebec
1. The development from Bill 63, over Bill 22, to Bill 101 in trying to promote French in Quebec
2. The three bills reflect the rising nationalist ideology

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V. English becomes more dominant as the language of work

1. English speaking corporations started to establish themselves in Quebec

2. "External faces" of businesses should be made more French

3. Food inscriptions should be exclusively in French

4. The right of workers is to use French on the working place

5. French is the second class language

6. English is a more common language in conversations with superiors

7. The average income of an English employee is much higher than the one of an French worker

8. The same trend can be found in comparing earnings and bilingualism

9. Discriminations of francophones in promotions

VI. Montreal is a city, where French is about to lose its majority status

1. Immigrants rather adopt the English than the French language and culture

2. There is a threat of immigrants who could align themselves with the English minority

3. English is played down as being one of the founding races of Quebec

4. There are governmental plans to integrate immigrants into the French society

5. English educational, social, cultural and economic institutions were established in Montreal

a) cultural activities were developed

b) English media can be found in Montreal

c) The language of anglophones in Montreal is different from the one in Canada

d) English speakers in Quebec have far more rights than francophones in the rest of Canada

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VII. Education is an important aspect in the "anglicization" of Quebec
1. Immigrants are much more attracted to the English speaking school system
2. The Bill 22 is a reaction to the "anglicization" of immigrant children
3. Through the Bill 101, all kids have to attend French schools except a few exceptions
4. Proposition of English as a second language in Quebec´s public schools
5. There are disadvantages in the economic sector as well
6. It is important for French speakers to learn English for the working place
VIII. Language tendencies in Quebec are unpredictable, because of all the influences