In the eyes of Benoît Dubreuil, Quebec’s French language commissioner, the language situation in 2024 is radically different from that which prevailed in 1974. It is no longer the same century: French speakers have taken control of the economy, they are no longer in a situation of inferiority socio-economic, but the interference of English remained.
The interference of English remains “because the economy has become globalized and tertiarized, and in a tertiary economy, everything is based on information and therefore on linguistic content,” indicates Benoît Dubreuil.
Also, the level of knowledge of French in the population has reached a level that is difficult to imagine compared to 1974, according to Jean-Pierre Corbeil, sociologist at Laval University and co-director of the book. French in decline? Rethinking the Quebec Francophonie. “The situation is even reversed. Nine out of ten immigrants go to French school, whereas they previously chose English school in the same proportions. And 75% of English speakers speak French, whereas it did not exceed 30% 50 years ago. »
The French Language Commissioner sees a lot of confusion regarding the criterion of language spoken at home. “It is interpreted as if we want to enter people’s homes, but we are obliged to question its repercussions on the preferences and behaviors of the speakers. »
Benoît Dubreuil agrees, however, that we must be wary of simplistic analyzes since the relationship with language has become more complex. “Many people now have multiple linguistic identities, and even among native French speakers like me, we can ask questions about the place of French in our personal and family activities. »
Risk of confusion
The question is whether the situation which prevails in 2024 is a new “zero point” of a society which has changed or a first shift which announces others. Statistics Canada data shows that French is used less often in almost all sectors, including public administration. The decrease is greater in the finance and professional services sector, but the French language has been consolidated in education, health, construction and the manufacturing sector. “I don’t think we want to live in a situation of diglossia where French would be reserved for certain activities, while others would be the preserve of English. »
Jean-Pierre Corbeil calls for caution in the diagnosis, particularly the reflex to bring everything back to CEGEPs — what he calls the “8% syndrome”. “Because there are 8% English speakers in Quebec, English-speaking CEGEPs and universities should be limited to 8% of resources and 8% of students. So let’s see! In Montreal, the English-speaking community has been around 30% for a long time. »
He deplores a certain tunnel vision which constantly leads the search for solutions back into the same ruts. “No, we will not solve problems in the labor market through education. That’s not what’s happening. Quebecers have built a globalized economy and play a key role in several key sectors. We use English to deal with partners or to serve English-speaking customers. It’s not the CEGEP that does that. »
The other factor that comes into play is the spectacular increase in temporary immigration since 2016, which has changed everything. “We won’t solve this by stopping temporary immigration: employers are demanding it. » He also jokes about the stated temptation to direct temporary immigration towards the French-speaking world, while the same political leaders are worried about the decrease in the number of native French speakers. “Most of the Africans or North Africans that we would like to bring in do not have French as their mother tongue. »
Social marketing
Jean-Pierre Corbeil believes that the Quebec government will have to intensify its social marketing to promote French in the job market. “It involves understanding the precise drivers of English use in today’s job market, not that of the 1970s.”
We find a good example in the work of Montreal’s new French language commissioner, Noémie Dansereau-Lavoie. While his colleague in Quebec is very involved in analyzing the situation, his main task concerns the implementation of article 1 of the Charter of the City of Montreal: “Montréal is a French-speaking city”. “Yes, the city has an exemplary role, and it is my first task to see to it, but it goes hand in hand with the promotion and influence of the language. »
She coordinates a whole bunch of initiatives, such as Marquage, a project of the Office for the Integration of Newcomers to promote the practice of French in their daily lives. “We must encourage all initiatives, such as this “I learn French” mentoring project from the Chamber of Commerce. » While working on a major campaign targeted among the business community, she reflected on how Montreal should fulfill its role as a French-speaking metropolis of the Americas. “We must give our 28,000 employees a taste and desire for the language and a sense of a collective mission. »
The new commissioner, appointed a year ago, is surprised by the strong receptivity of the public: negative reactions were rare when the City imposed French on its social networks or when it stopped translating the titles of its flagship initiatives such as Let’s Realize Montreal or Welcome Baby. “There is a space to occupy to talk to newcomers, young people, entrepreneurs. We must be resolutely and proudly French-speaking. »
Linguistic commissioners of all countries, unite!
This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Duty, relating to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part.