Living in Montreal with no French

Living in Montreal with no French

amourmontreal

#31

Re: Living in Montreal with no French

Apr 1st, 2010

Hi there, as reading the replies, it won;t be so bad if you know English. But at the end of the day, French is an asset. LIving in Quebec, it's important to know French, not for the sake of employment but for the culture. If you are willing to pick up a new language then move to Montreal. I write a blog about Montreal, and my latest entry is about the Francisation program that Quebec offers. They are willing to pay immigrants and Canadians to learn French through their intensive courses. I took them for 6 months and my french drastically improved. I would say I rate myself at 8 of 10 on my French. So to wrap it up, there are incentive in moving to Montreal, for what the city has to offer, but at the end of time take time to learn the language.

Check out my blog , for more information.
SPAM Link to French Language Lessons Removed.

Last edited by Ron in Regina; Apr 1st, 2010 at 10:36 AM..Reason: SPAM Link to French Language Lessons Removed.

barbara30

#32

Re: Living in Montreal with no French

Apr 13th, 2010

Just back from vacation so sorry for the late reply

Just like to thank everyone who replied to my post the information provided has been very helpful and helped to ease the doubts that we had over the language . I have heard so very positive things about Canadians and french Canadians and see no reason to doubt this.
We are very polite, respectful couple so believe we will settle in just fine.

MarceTou

#33

Re: Living in Montreal with no French

Apr 28th, 2010

Barbara! YOU CAN DO IT! if I can learn English, you can sure as hell learn French lol

being polite and respecful will get you a lot further than Any language skills

I will have to side with the comments that you should look in teh west island. Assuming your husband will work in Dorval if it's for the IATA, look for a place around Kirkland, Dollard Des Ormeaux, Pointe Claire, and the likes. I would not move much further west than the island however, as the French dominance really picks up in the outskirts (you can't even ask for a glass of water in english where I'm from lol )

I know of one friends mom who never learned a word of french, and she's been here for some 40 years. I wouldn't suggest that however, since she's been limited for her work, you should take some lessons. If you know spanish, or some other latin language, you may find it easy to pick up !

barbara30

#34

Re: Living in Montreal with no French

Apr 29th, 2010

Thanks for that much appreciated.

I believe that the IATA offices are at 800 Victoria square so would those areas still be ok? my husband doesn't mind to travel 30 mins or so each way and as i said i wont be working.

Are there any good apartment rentals close to Victoria square for around 6 months?

Thanks

MarceTou

#35

Re: Living in Montreal with no French

Apr 29th, 2010

I never lived in that area, so don't really know. I seem to recall there being a metro nearby tho, so you can basically live anywhere along the metro line and get to work in no time. Or anywhere on teh train line, will take longer though, but you can get a house with some land that way.
There's tons of appartments however, and I'm sure you can find something that you like, just don't limit yourself too much to where you go if it's only to be really close to work.

MarceTou

#36

Re: Living in Montreal with no French

Apr 29th, 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by Liberalman

Apprendre le français ou aller ailleurs
Linguistiques du Québec et de la culture doit être protégée.
Le Canada est un pays bilingue et le Québec doit rester français, peu importe ce que le Parti conservateur croit.

Holy cow, I just read this. Are you for real, this is one couple, not a population.
Accept a little diversity, and at the same time we can encourage them to understand and appreciate the Quebecois culture that has been in place for centuries. I have faith that they will, I love Quebec for what it is, but that doesn't mean I'll go marching into parliament singing le quebec aux quebecois...Anyways, I guess that's a discussion best left for another thread lol

barbara30

#37

Re: Living in Montreal with no French

Apr 30th, 2010

Thanks MarceTou sadly it appears that there are not so nice people everywhere be assured it wont spoil our enjoyment off experiencing Montreal and Quebec we are made of sterner stuff than that.

Liberalman perhaps if you don't have a valid response you might not bother to reply at all. If you want to talk politics may i suggest you go to an appropriate forum.

Oh and as i said i have every intention of learning french

Dessolution

#38

Re: Living in Montreal with no French

Apr 30th, 2010

I'm starting to really regret cheating through my french in high school xD

Ron in Regina

#39

Living in Montreal with no French

Apr 30th, 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by Dessolution

I'm starting to really regret cheating through my french in high school xD

Then continue cheating with a translation program like I do....so:

Quote: Originally Posted by Liberalman

Apprendre le français ou aller ailleurs
Linguistiques du Québec et de la culture doit être protégée.
Le Canada est un pays bilingue et le Québec doit rester français, peu importe ce que le Parti conservateur croit.

Translates roughly as:

To learn French or to go elsewhere Linguistics of Quebec and the culture must be protected.
Canada is a bilingual country and Quebec must remain French, it does not matter what the
Conservative party believes.

barbara30

#40

Re: Living in Montreal with no French

Apr 30th, 2010

Google translation is pretty good too

Learn French or go elsewhere
Quebec language and culture must be protected.
Canada is a bilingual country and Quebec must remain French, no matter what the Conservative Party believes.

El Barto

#41

Re: Living in Montreal with no French

Apr 30th, 2010

Some of us could teach you the ol Quebecer 'twang'

pizzaghetti

#42

Re: Living in Montreal with no French

Oct 1st, 2010

Montreal, quite simply is a sh!t hole, especially when compared to other North American cities of similar size.

Taxes are outrageous, people are ignorant (as the example from Liberalman points out), the weather is awful (it rains for 7 months a year, snows for the other 5 , the summers are unbearably humid), freeways are crumbling, public transit is not air conditioned, product selection is limited (if it's not in French, it aint here) the list goes on ...

I spend more money driving to Ontario, New York state or Vermont every weekend to buy things that have been banned in "la belle province" than Montreal's low cost of living will ever save me. "Joie de vivre" is apparently a trip to Plattsburgh to buy cheese that wasn't **** out of a goat last Wednesday. They don't mention this in the brochures.

The Quebecois (English- and French-speakers alike) have no clue how the outside world works. Indifferent service in restaurants, terrible pizza (plastic cheese, wagon-wheel pepperoni placed under said cheese with no sauce) and "expresso" are a way of life and everyone tells you "c'est normale". It is a very frustrating place for anyone who is used to the rest of the world. It's fun to think of all this as distinct society or a novelty for a while, but it gets tired after the first few months. It doesn't take long before you that this place seriously screwed up.

The one upside might be that because so few people want to live here, real estate is actually quite affordable. Your money, however, could get a better rate of return elsewhere.

I notice from the date of your post, you've probably either decided to stay put or accept the position with IATA in Montreal. Whatever your decision, I hope it has worked out for you. Some might notice that IATA is a quasi-governmental organization (UN). Most free enterprise has move elsewhere in Canada. Most of what remains in Quebec are government bodies (VIA Rail) or Quebecois banks such as National and Desjardins. This is certainly a place on the decline.

For anyone else considering a move to Montreal: stay away, stay far away.

Ron in Regina

#43 Top Rated Post

Re: Living in Montreal with no French

Oct 1st, 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by barbara30

Google translation is pretty good too

Learn French or go elsewhere
Quebec language and culture must be protected.
Canada is a bilingual country and Quebec must remain French, no matter what the Conservative Party believes.

Hmmm....interesting double standard. Why? Why must Quebec remain French,
and the rest of Canada be Bilingual?

no color

#44

Re: Living in Montreal with no French

Oct 2nd, 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by barbara30

Google translation is pretty good too

Learn French or go elsewhere
Quebec language and culture must be protected.
Canada is a bilingual country and Quebec must remain French, no matter what the Conservative Party believes.

Quebec must remain French? Since when was it entirely French? Has France taken over?

I was born, bred and schooled in Montreal and don't speak French. My inner circle of friends that I grew up with include a cook, mechanic, school teacher and software developer neither of whom speak any French. So how can anyone say that Quebec must remain French if it never was? That's nonsense.

s_lone

#45

Re: Living in Montreal with no French

Oct 3rd, 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by pizzaghetti

Montreal, quite simply is a sh!t hole, especially when compared to other North American cities of similar size.
Taxes are outrageous, people are ignorant (as the example from Liberalman points out), the weather is awful (it rains for 7 months a year, snows for the other 5 , the summers are unbearably humid), freeways are crumbling, public transit is not air conditioned, product selection is limited (if it's not in French, it aint here) the list goes on ...
I spend more money driving to Ontario, New York state or Vermont every weekend to buy things that have been banned in "la belle province" than Montreal's low cost of living will ever save me. "Joie de vivre" is apparently a trip to Plattsburgh to buy cheese that wasn't **** out of a goat last Wednesday. They don't mention this in the brochures.
The Quebecois (English- and French-speakers alike) have no clue how the outside world works. Indifferent service in restaurants, terrible pizza (plastic cheese, wagon-wheel pepperoni placed under said cheese with no sauce) and "expresso" are a way of life and everyone tells you "c'est normale". It is a very frustrating place for anyone who is used to the rest of the world. It's fun to think of all this as distinct society or a novelty for a while, but it gets tired after the first few months. It doesn't take long before you that this place seriously screwed up.
The one upside might be that because so few people want to...
Quote has been trimmed, See full post:

Do you live here? If you do why don't you leave if it's that bad?

barbara30

#46

Re: Living in Montreal with no French

Jan 13th, 2011

Just a quick update

We made the move to Montreal and are now living in a nice big house out south shore. We are very happy and have found most people to be friendly and polite despite my lack of french. We are very happy and loving our new life. It does seem a little odd that so many rules exist concerning the language as if everyone wants to speak French i don't understand why It's necessary to have so many enforced rules and regulations about it, and if people don't really want to speak it then who has the right to force it on people.

Anyway so far it's no problem if ever we feel unwelcome or it is a big issue for us then we will pack up and move on to experience another new country and all it has to offer. Life is too short to worry about such stuff and perhaps those that enjoy giving other a hard time over such trivial things have too much time on there hands.

Happy new year to you all

CurioToo

#47

Re: Living in Montreal with no French

Jan 13th, 2011

I'm surprised nobody mentioned.......

....how terrific to have a great opportunity to learn a second language - whether of necessity or preference or more acceptance by the new friendships. It may sound like an "order or enforcement"
of language rules - but some people like to preserve their heritage and maintain a population with whom
they can converse.

Little children learn to speak dual languages even before they start school and it can get harder as we get older, but don't let fear of failure make your decision - admit you are a beginner and find some people willing to become your "mentors".

Learning a new language from the people who are proud to speak it is a great way to make new friendships. I love your idea that moving to a new nation is an adventure you are willing to take on - and with a positive attitude, you will prosper if your life and your husband's work take you on international visits around the globe - with IATA it is entirely possible. and I believe they are familiar with people wishing to learn new local languages - it assists their employees and families as well.

Go on your new adventures with curiosity and interest and willingness to question everything you can
about places where you live - people puff with pride when speaking of their homeland or nation to a
newcomer.

Last edited by CurioToo; Jan 13th, 2011 at 01:56 PM..

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