Bright Spark
Posts: 279 
Location: Ontario, Sadly
Location: Ontario, Sadly
May 25th, 2006, 07:52 PM
I love at least one Quebecer, the one I married. My in-laws ain't half bad either.
In my experience in Canada it's not about how people treat you it's about how you treat them. If I'm in Quebec and make an attempt to speak french. The other person usually switches to English to avoid my terrible accent. If I go around expecting people to speak english, they tend to treat me differently. If you come to Ontario and try to speak english most folks will welcome you warmly (there's the odd nasty tete-quare out there) but don't expect us to switch to french, most (like me) can't say much more than Bonjour et Il quelle huere?
Usually most larger communities have a francophone association and possibly a community centre. My wife worked in Maillardville at such a place. Maillardville is a neighbourhood in Coquitlam BC.
Ou va tu? (Now you know why people switch to english when I speak french)
I love at least one Quebecer, the one I married. My in-laws ain't half bad either.
In my experience in Canada it's not about how people treat you it's about how you treat them. If I'm in Quebec and make an attempt to speak french. The other person usually switches to English to avoid my terrible accent. If I go around expecting people to speak english, they tend to treat me differently. If you come to Ontario and try to speak english most folks will welcome you warmly (there's the odd nasty tete-quare out there) but don't expect us to switch to french, most (like me) can't say much more than Bonjour et Il quelle huere?
Usually most larger communities have a francophone association and possibly a community centre. My wife worked in Maillardville at such a place. Maillardville is a neighbourhood in Coquitlam BC.
Ou va tu? (Now you know why people switch to english when I speak french)
Newbie
Posts: 21
Location: quebec
Location: quebec
May 25th, 2006, 07:58 PM
Thanks for sharing your ideas!! I've been thinking about hamilton, barrie or maybe ottawa. If you guys say the only thing to do to avoid been discriminated is to speak english, well I'll just have to enjoy. I'm coming to see you cause I want to learn english so I'll have to speak it. I've no big problem with it except for my accent.
Thanks for sharing your ideas!! I've been thinking about hamilton, barrie or maybe ottawa. If you guys say the only thing to do to avoid been discriminated is to speak english, well I'll just have to enjoy. I'm coming to see you cause I want to learn english so I'll have to speak it. I've no big problem with it except for my accent.
Yo
Posts: 3,537
Location: Counting Flowers on the Wall
Location: Counting Flowers on the Wall
May 25th, 2006, 08:02 PM
The slang is terrible here though, TERRIBLE.
Quoting
I doubt you will run into many people who don't speak french in Ottawa - petit peu? Did I spell that right?
Thanks for sharing your ideas!! I've been thinking about hamilton, barrie or maybe ottawa. If you guys say the only thing to do to avoid been discriminated is to speak english, well I'll just have to enjoy. I'm coming to see you cause I want to learn english so I'll have to speak it. I've no big problem with it except for my accent.
The slang is terrible here though, TERRIBLE.
Newbie
Posts: 21
Location: quebec
Location: quebec
May 25th, 2006, 08:24 PM
yeah..my first choice was ottawa because of its proximity but everyone just kept on telling it ain't a good place to learn english. I might find myself choosing the easy way with everyone knowing french. Would you recommand some cities more than others? In the southern part cause my girlfriend wants to be close to or in big cities.
yeah..my first choice was ottawa because of its proximity but everyone just kept on telling it ain't a good place to learn english. I might find myself choosing the easy way with everyone knowing french. Would you recommand some cities more than others? In the southern part cause my girlfriend wants to be close to or in big cities.
Genius
Posts: 985
Location: CsL, Mtl, Qc, Ca, NA, Er, SS,MW, Un
Location: CsL, Mtl, Qc, Ca, NA, Er, SS,MW, Un
May 26th, 2006, 12:20 AM
Others will try to speak in English with their beautiful accent.
Quoting
it's not always the case. Once in the bus I asked, in English, the bus driver about the direction. She asked me why wasn't I talking French. There are people like this as well. Unfortunately you don't encouter them rarely.
I love at least one Quebecer, the one I married. My in-laws ain't half bad either.
In my experience in Canada it's not about how people treat you it's about how you treat them. If I'm in Quebec and make an attempt to speak french. The other person usually switches to English to avoid my terrible accent. ...
.
In my experience in Canada it's not about how people treat you it's about how you treat them. If I'm in Quebec and make an attempt to speak french. The other person usually switches to English to avoid my terrible accent. ...
.
Others will try to speak in English with their beautiful accent.
Yo
Posts: 3,537
Location: Counting Flowers on the Wall
Location: Counting Flowers on the Wall
May 26th, 2006, 07:14 AM
Quoting
It's fine place for learning both languages. I don't know why anyone would say it wouldn't be?
yeah..my first choice was ottawa because of its proximity but everyone just kept on telling it ain't a good place to learn english. I might find myself choosing the easy way with everyone knowing french. Would you recommand some cities more than others? In the southern part cause my girlfriend wants to be close to or in big cities.
Mostly myths that you'll hear... you sound pretty concerned. Don't be!
sick and twisted
Posts: 2,335 
Location: Backwater, Ontario.
Location: Backwater, Ontario.
June 1st, 2006, 07:04 AM
Justin:
If you move to Ottawa, you will do well in both languages. The majority of people in Ottawa who work in retail, i.e., the ones you are most likely to meet on a day to day basis, speak both languages.
You will be able to practise English, and be able to fall back on French when you need to.
You ARE going to meet some rednecks who are down on everybody, even themselves, so don't let them worry you. They are a minority.
There ya go:
Justin:If you move to Ottawa, you will do well in both languages. The majority of people in Ottawa who work in retail, i.e., the ones you are most likely to meet on a day to day basis, speak both languages.
You will be able to practise English, and be able to fall back on French when you need to.
You ARE going to meet some rednecks who are down on everybody, even themselves, so don't let them worry you. They are a minority.
There ya go:
