For Those Who Struggle With Quebec French
Nov 17th, 2015, 07:33 PM
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For Those Who Struggle With Quebec French
Hello Fodorites,
I ran across this video on youtube, which really hits upon a lot of key differences between European French and Quebec French. Solange, the speaker, having lived in France for awhile, despite having a Quebecois parent, retains a certain European French sound when she speaks... nevertheless, I think she explains quite well and in an entertaining way. I thought some of you planning a visit to la Belle Province, either coming from elsewhere in the French-speaking world or wishing to practice your French might enjoy a listen to attune your ears.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYm83H5TOMM
Best wishes, Daniel
I ran across this video on youtube, which really hits upon a lot of key differences between European French and Quebec French. Solange, the speaker, having lived in France for awhile, despite having a Quebecois parent, retains a certain European French sound when she speaks... nevertheless, I think she explains quite well and in an entertaining way. I thought some of you planning a visit to la Belle Province, either coming from elsewhere in the French-speaking world or wishing to practice your French might enjoy a listen to attune your ears.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYm83H5TOMM
Best wishes, Daniel
Apr 5th, 2016, 06:22 AM
#8
Entertaining and lots of information. (Too much for me to remember!)
Might explain something that has puzzled me. Although I have lost a lot of the little French I knew when I was living in Côte d'Ivoire, I've found the remnants still work in Paris and Morocco. When I was Montreal last, however, I usually got out only a few words before the waiter or shop keeper switched to English. Just as well, actually.
Might explain something that has puzzled me. Although I have lost a lot of the little French I knew when I was living in Côte d'Ivoire, I've found the remnants still work in Paris and Morocco. When I was Montreal last, however, I usually got out only a few words before the waiter or shop keeper switched to English. Just as well, actually.
Apr 7th, 2016, 07:05 AM
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Glad you enjoyed finding this, imelda72 and Fra_Diavolo!
Fra_Diavolo--The reasons why waiters or shopkeepers switch to English in Montreal are varied and complex. I think the differences between Quebec and European French only represents a part of that complex equation.
Quite a number of Montrealers are anglophones; many even that are not slip into a dual identity--equally comfortable in both French and English due to mixed heritage, having lived in more English-speaking areas of the city or country or through having many anglophone friends. Then you get people who are stronger in French, but like to practice speaking English. There's also likely a certain amount of pressure on service staff to have efficient interactions with customers, possibly due to concern from past interactions that some English-speakers won't understand the French spoken back to them. Amongst other reasons.
I have lived in Montreal for close to 20 years, have communicated regularly with friends, neighbours and people in the service industry in French, have watched and enjoyed Quebec-based French-language TV shows like I do shows in the English language so am quite conversant in Quebec French slang and idioms...Yet due to likely a slight English tinge to my accent or seeing my obviously English-speaker name, if I hesitate or am inattentive, service people even now occasionally switch to English.
Best wishes, Daniel
Fra_Diavolo--The reasons why waiters or shopkeepers switch to English in Montreal are varied and complex. I think the differences between Quebec and European French only represents a part of that complex equation.
Quite a number of Montrealers are anglophones; many even that are not slip into a dual identity--equally comfortable in both French and English due to mixed heritage, having lived in more English-speaking areas of the city or country or through having many anglophone friends. Then you get people who are stronger in French, but like to practice speaking English. There's also likely a certain amount of pressure on service staff to have efficient interactions with customers, possibly due to concern from past interactions that some English-speakers won't understand the French spoken back to them. Amongst other reasons.
I have lived in Montreal for close to 20 years, have communicated regularly with friends, neighbours and people in the service industry in French, have watched and enjoyed Quebec-based French-language TV shows like I do shows in the English language so am quite conversant in Quebec French slang and idioms...Yet due to likely a slight English tinge to my accent or seeing my obviously English-speaker name, if I hesitate or am inattentive, service people even now occasionally switch to English.
Best wishes, Daniel
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