French Canadians have it rough!
I have a long list of peculiar, odd hobbies. Things like boarding airplanes with a solid metal business card and going to the mall to do stuff that has the general purpose of seriously freaking people out is what makes me who I am. I am a bit of a prankster at heart, but there comes a time when the laughter most stop and we must realize how tough other people have it.
Today, I was going around the mall, pretending to be able to speak French and only French. Fortunately, I know just enough French to do this. In fact, I went t a chocolate store in the mall to buy some chocolates for this girl that I like (not going to say her name, because I will respect her privacy). And I decided, for sweeps, to try to return it – unopened – considering that there was a sign marking their return policy. But it was only in English and you CAN’T pass this kind of opportunity up if you get it. So, I tried to return it and they pointed to the sign. I kept repeating “Non comprendez-vous” when it finally hit me. Is this what French Canadians go through?
Here in Alberta, it is primarily an English-centric community. Very FEW signs in this province are bi-lingual and if they are, they are usually attached to a government building or something. A federal government building, considering that this province doesn’t provide services in French either.
So, I can see how tough it would be for a French Canadian in English Canada. I can see how rough it would be to be swindled and robbed by innocents here in this province. So, I have the utmost empathy for French Canadians who come to English Canada. I have the utmost respect for immigrants who cannot speak a word of English that come to Alberta. Does this mean I’ll stop pranking people with stupid practical jokes that make no sense to everyone around me? No. It just means that I hold a much deeper respect for French Canadians now.
There NEEDS to be a more bi-lingual Canada and I hope someday, that is what we will begin to see.
February 14th, 2007 at 11:29 am
As an outsider who loves Canada, I think Canadian s should embrace the French & English languages & be bilingual. It is the best thing to do.
February 14th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
I think Canadian stores should embrace both official languages as well.
February 14th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
I love stumbling onto blogs like yours.
February 14th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Thanks.
February 15th, 2007 at 11:26 am
I agree some of them are annoying but, I think French Canadian girls are hot
February 15th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Thing is, all French Canadians speak English. If you don’t speak English, you live in Quebec or France. That’s just the way it is.
February 15th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
I’m by no means an expert, but I’ve found that signage throughout Canada typically represents the popular demographics in the area, hence the south asian languages seen frequently out here on the left coast. In fact, there are some stores that use signage that I (who can only speak English and has a very limited knowledge of French gained from highschool over 10 years ago) even have trouble with, due to the limited use of English or French.
Although it would be nice to have some form of universal ability to communicate, it’s actually interest to see the differences as I’ve travelled across Canada.