He says he trusts the “trial” and learned in the “slices”. Translation: the process and the trenches. Or “process” and “trenches”, in English.
Posted at 9:00 a.m.
Martin St-Louis was born in Laval. His roots are 100% Quebec, he was raised in French and he has never denied his origins. But he admits it bluntly: the language in which he expresses himself with the most ease is today English. It’s not a decision he made and certainly not a political posturing. Simply a state of affairs that explains the multiple layers that punctuate his speeches.
For almost 30 years he has been immersed in an English-speaking environment. He was 18 when he was admitted to the University of Vermont, where he met the one who became his wife. He began his NHL career in Calgary, then continued in Tampa and New York. Since his retirement, he resides in Connecticut.
However, for the past few days, not only has the coach been practicing his profession in Quebec, but he also has to speak French on a public forum daily, sometimes several times a day.
He does not take this responsibility lightly.
“I know it’s the people’s team, so I want to inform the people as best I can,” he said.
“I want to work on expressing myself the same way in French as in English, because I want people to know how I feel. I don’t want it to come out the wrong way: perception is reality. I have to choose my words, think about what I really want to say. »
In English, I don’t need to think about it. In French, I have to think about it a bit. I will improve myself.
Martin St Louis
Learning
Although he never completely stopped speaking French, his switch to English came at a pivotal time in his life, St-Louis points out.
“You don’t express yourself the same way when you’re 12 or 13 or as an adult,” he points out. As an adult, I learned to express myself in English. I know that people understand better how I feel in English. »
His children understand French, he says, but can’t really hold a sustained conversation. A recent interview with The Press with Ryan, the eldest, took place in English.
The ex-striker recalls that during his playing career, his boys were young and it was their mother who spent the many days, even weeks, of the father’s absence with them. “Dad wasn’t home much during the years when it was really important to learn a language,” he admits. According to him, the basics they have would allow them to get by quickly if they lived an immersion.
His wife Heather has not learned the language of René Lecavalier, but she understands it in part. “I have to be careful! reveals St-Louis with a laugh.
A certain effort
Its efforts to do better are already tangible. Within days, the trial has already become the process. During his press briefings, we see him humbly turn to the public relations officers of the Canadian to learn about the translation or the proper use of a word.
Several times, in interviews, he asked for help from representatives of The Press when he stumbled over a specific term. In the middle of a response, he even sought in silence, for long seconds, how to express his thoughts. Invited to switch to English, he continued his reflection before resolving to pronounce his sentence – the only one in the entire interview – in the language of Sam Pollock. His annoyance was obvious.
Giving up was never an option for him on the ice. Apparently it’s not behind a mic either.
With Guillaume Lefrancois, The Press