language problem in Montreal?
 

I am going to Montreal next week on a business trip. I was in Montreal as a teenager on a high school band trip back in 1983 and remember that English was not widely spoken, so I was wondering if that is still the case. Just curious...

English is widely spoken in Montreal. I can't imagine that you will have any problem on your business trip.

Je ne parle pas francais and I have no trouble in Montreal.

I agree with the two previous posters, but knowing the most elementary salutations will show that you are well manners and not one of those arrogant "I expect you to speak to me in English" type.

So just practice your Bonjour, bonsoir, merci, s'il vous plait, pardon, and your trip will be enlighted. Bon voyage.

Thank you. I don't want to be known as the "ugly American" so I would like to be able to speak a little French at least. My trip is next Sunday so I can't imagine I can learn French in 6 days, but I'll try to learn basic phrases and see what happens. Thanks!

You don't need to be an ugly American. Just tell them you're from western Canada. They don't speak French out there either. ;)

Just got back tonight. English is spoken everywhere and I learned the first hour after arrival when I insulted someone by asking if they spoke English to not ask and just talk. We were at the airport and couldn't find the rental car agency. I asked someone if they spoke English and she said "of course silly." LOL Many folks are bi-lingual and as soon as you start talking they adapt.

I've lived in Montreal 9 years and while it's true that most people do speak English especialy in the service sector, there is a proportion (maybe 30%) that does not. The person who said "of course, silly" was ignorant. My landlady does not speak English, my downstairs and next-door neighbours do not, some friends and ex-coworkers of mine speak only a little.

Although demographics are changing, the west & downtown tend to be more anglophone and the east, north (more east esp.) & South Shore more francophone. Best suggestion I have is judge by situation; in most of the west/downtown, at an airport or train station, many customers are anglophone, so a customer-service employee will speak English. A random person walking however maybe not. If you're out of the main tourist areas in the east, "bonjour", "s'il vous plait" etc is appreciated.

Enjoy this great city! DAN