Tags
Canada, Charter of the French Language, French language, Gazette, Le Devoir, Le Monde diplomatique, Official Language Act, Quebec
the Quebec General Election: Information
The Charter of the French Language (La Charte de la langue française, Bill 101) “is a law in the Province of Quebec, Canada, defining French, as the official language and framing fundamental language rights. It is the central legislative piece in Quebec’s language policy.” (Wikipedia)
Bill 101 was passed by the National Assembly and granted Royal Assent by Lieutenant Governor Hugues Lapointe on August 26, 1977, under the government of Premier René Lévesque, the leader of the Parti Québécois. The bill was proposed by Camille Laurin, the Minister of Cultural Development.
Bill 101 had been preceded by the Official Language Act (Bill 22), passed in 1974 under the Liberal government of Premier Robert Bourassa. Bill 101 (1977) has been challenged and too rigid an interpretation can lead to dangerous situations.
When friends and I were trying to cross the Champlain bridge to leave Montreal, an island, the overhead traffic monitors gave information and instructions in French only. I told my friends that the information should be given in both French and English to protect all drivers, including French-speaking drivers.
Bill 101 also stipulates that the children of immigrants be educated in French, etc. For more information click on the Charter of the French Language. My main source of information in writing this post was Wikipedia’s entry of the Charter of the French Language.
However, yesterday, as reported in Le Devoir, Jean Charest stated he might expand Bill 101. Expansion could mean constructive amendments to the current law, but not necessarily. However, during a political campaign, leaders often attempt to win over support from undecided voters by making promises they cannot respect once they are in office. I could be wrong, but I believe monsieur Charest did not need to raise the issue, if indeed he raised it. He may have been compelled to address this subject.
The Canada Act of 1982
Moreover, Quebec has yet to sign the “patriated” (from England to Canada)Constitution of Canada or the Canada Act of 1982. One wonders. What is the status of Quebec? Might it be, to some extent, more closely linked to Britain than other provinces? I am being slightly facetious, but not altogether.
I would hate to see French Canadians swallowed up by an English-language majority, but choosing the appropriate means to protect the French language is a thorny matter. Language policy remains a central issue in the forthcoming election.
© Micheline Walker 28 August 2012 WordPress composer: Jean-Philippe Rameau (25 September 1683, Dijon – 12 September1764) piece: Les Indes galantes (Indes: North America) & chaconne
Related articles
- A PQ government would strengthen Quebec language laws within 100 days: Marois (news.nationalpost.com)
Thank you for your most interesting comments on the language question. There were once three pillars of ‘la survivance’ in Quebec, the French language, the Catholic faith, and the rural traditions and folkways inherited from 17th c. France. The industrialization and urbanization of Quebec, followed by the Quiet Revolution, burned off two chemical elements of this formula — the religiosity and the predominantly rural milieu. What was left was the precipitate: the French language. When the ultramontane, Catholic messianism of the 19th c. and the milieu of the habitant were no longer relevant to the culture what was left but La Langue? The language is the most visible and audible facet of what was once a much more complex set of identifiers, and this is why it is seized upon and protected with such fervor. This should not be read as a criticism but merely as a characterization. I see the reason behind Law 101 but I also I see that there can be an irrational extremism with regard to language, such as situations, like the one you cite, Micheline, regarding signage on the road, where it is dangerous to insist on a narrow unilingualism. To paraphrase my sister, if General Wolfe himself appeared on the streets of Quebec and spoke perfect French he would be more welcome than I whose first language was English, despite the fact that I am purely French-Canadian by blood and generations of my ancestors are buried beneath the soil of Quebec and were vrais habitants.
LikeLike
David, Intelligent comments. There is wisdom in flexibility. Matters are exactly as they are in Le Chêne et le Roseau. The reed bends and survive. The oak tree is felled by the wind. If someone is trying to leave Montreal and cannot read the unilingual monitors, there is danger. So, common sense should prevail in such matters. Extremism and rigidity will not get Quebecers anywhere, except, perhaps, the poorhouse. The spirit of Bill 101 is fine, but too rigid an application can easily turns into an extremism. Thank you for your comments. Comments my readers make help me. They keep me listening. Thank you and my best. Micheline
LikeLike
Very interesting post Micheline! One of my friend is in Montreal, he has an English band there. He was telling me about French importance in Quebec. May be India is the only place where more than 20 official languages work together. Now I wonder how we manage such difficult situation in every organization! Actually here people hardly have any idea about the thorny matter! 🙂
LikeLike
Vikram, if India can manage with some twenty languages, we Canadians can manage with the two we have. The two languages are official languages and French-speaking people are protected. Yet, it is entirely possible that on the 4th, Quebecers will elect an indépantiste party and that once again thousands of people will move away from Quebec. This means that fewer people will pay taxes, that services will suffer and unemployment rise. Why are they doing this to themselves?
This is very sad because it is a matter of prejudice. It’s not reasonable. Take care of yourself and thank you for writing.
Micheline
LikeLike