How do you rank in your emotional level towards Quebec sovereignty?

[s_lone]

My one bugaboo with Quebec French will always be the variations in language from one part to another. Sure.... Protect the language - but which variant? Lawyer French or Joual?

There aren't a thousand ways to translate ''Lone Wolf''... That would be ''Loup Solitaire'' or ''Loup Seul''

That's French.

That being said, all spoken languages have a virtually infinite spectrum of variations, English included. From academic language to street language there's always a whole world. Written language is of course much more standardized and the same applies in Quebec.

 

[relic]

I'd like to thing that there are enough level headed people in PQ that know which side their bread is buttered on.The rest can rant amoung themselves,bang their cookwear and cost the province and the rest of us millions for their brainless vandalism.

 

[lone wolf]

There aren't a thousand ways to translate ''Lone Wolf''... That would be ''Loup Solitaire'' or ''Loup Seul''

That's French.

That being said, all spoken languages have a virtually infinite spectrum of variations, English included. From academic language to street language there's always a whole world. Written language is of course much more standardized and the same applies in Quebec.

I didn't write formal letters to order poutine in that railroad car food joint in Témiscaming. I didn't order in local slang either - just the Paris French they taught us in High School

 

[s_lone]

I didn't write formal letters to order poutine in that railroad car food joint in Témiscaming. I didn't order in local slang either - just the Paris French they taught us in High School

Did you get your poutine?

I once had a hard time understanding a clerk at Burger King's in New York. Wasn't used to his New York accent. Yet I'll never go as far as saying the fellow didn't speak English.

 

[lone wolf]

Did you get your poutine?

I once had a hard time understanding a clerk at Burger King's in New York. Wasn't used to his New York accent. Yet I'll never go as far as saying the fellow didn't speak English.

Yup ... in Sturgeon Falls - a predominantly French-speaking community where HOW I spoke my French didn't matter

 

[Cabbagesandking]

The reason why I can say it's paranoid to think anglophones would be left to ''the tender mercies of a gang of xenophobes who are determined to eradicate English in Quebec'' is that I myself am a anglo-Quebecer. To tell the truth, I'm a ''Franglo'' because I come from bilingual family. The fact is that while measures to protect French are indeed strict, there is nothing in the way for English to thrive in Quebec. Come and take a stroll with me downtown Montreal and prove me otherwise!

I went to elementary school in English as all people of the anglophone community of Quebec have the right to do. I've now been living in Montreal for 8 years and know enough about the city to say that the English language is here to stay no matter what. French Quebecers are pretty hot-blooded when it comes to protecting French and the culture that comes with it. But they're not the frickin' nazis some like to believe! Based on the Cabbagesandking's tone, Quebec would become like this if it was a country:

THE FOURTH REICH - YouTube

The language laws in Quebec don't have as a goal to eradicate English, they have as a goal to protect French and that's a whole different affair. Taking the necessary means to defend oneself doesn't mean you're out to destroy others.

If you really want this, I will deal with that later. You clearly have no clue as to what Bill 101 does. Just one little bit of eradication for now: The Department of Toponymy set up to change the names of towns and villages and streets in Quebec from French to English.

But, I do not have time for more at the moment and do not actually want to get into this. However, if it will dispel some of the ignorance I will.

 

[Sparrow]

Well I wasn't sure how to vote so I decided on "0" meaning that as a Quebecer I am against separation.

 

[wulfie68]

The language laws in Quebec don't have as a goal to eradicate English, they have as a goal to protect French and that's a whole different affair. Taking the necessary means to defend oneself doesn't mean you're out to destroy others.

And you're wrong. Quebec's language laws are discriminatory and do target English over other languages (such as Chinese, Vietnamese or others). English businesses are subject to fines and other punishments because of the language of their signs. This is not a case of "self defense" it IS a case of going on the offense. These laws have repeatedly been found to be unconstitutional but Quebec has invoked the notwithstanding clause of the constitution to uphold these laws more times than the rest of the provinces have used it on all other issues combined.

Now add in the Quebec provincial government's attitude towards native groups (remember that little incident at Oka?), the semi-open racism of PQ bigshots like Parizeau (remember him blaming the Jews and ethnics for losing the last referendum?) , and the general heavy handedness of the provincial police force, and yes I would say there is good reason for non-French minorities and especially English to worry if Quebec ever does become sovereign.

Ultimately, Quebec will do what its populace desires, but don't try and cover up the fact that on language and cultural issues, Quebec is far more discriminatory than any other area of the country to a point they are almost totalitarian.

 

[CDNBear]

Now add in the Quebec provincial government's attitude towards native groups (remember that little incident at Oka?)...

ROCKS AT WHISKEY TRENCH,police allow francophones to stone women and children and elders. - YouTube

 

[Machjo]

Strange thing, CDNBear: you appear to be defending French Canadians more than I am, and I'm French-Canadian! Or am i misreading you somewhere in this thread?

As for my position, I actually object to many of the "rights" granted to French and English Canadians in the Charter, especially the right to minority-official-language education. Though of course i'd argue this for both official language communities (i.e. an Englishs-speaking family living in Quebec city ought to be on its own jsut like the french-speaking family in Victoria BC). Honestly, if you care so much about your language identity, move to where it's spoken.

I make an exception for indigenous language communities just because our actions are at least partially responsible for their weakened state today, not to mention that they actually are indigenous to the land(it's not like an Innuit has anywhere else in the world to go to preserve his culture).

Not totally useless, gives a good indication about how many are willing to stir up sh*t over it, so you know how secure to build your bunker!

You hit the purpose of the question head on. The purpose of the pool was not so much which side a person took, but just how fanatically he took it either way.

 

[damngrumpy]

Every now and then, we have the urge to bait Canadians with the Quebec Issue.
Quebec is not going to leave confederation whether or not we give them something.
The reason is, no matter how we twist the facts Quebec residents will know they are
better off inside confederation. Pining for a French enclave in the New World is a
vision for some true. However for the majority especially young families they want
education for kids, and housing and especially good quality jobs.
Quebec is not going anywhere in our lifetime

 

[L Gilbert]

If a 0 is a "don't care either way, and have no interest in either bribing them to stay or kicking them out" attitude, and a 9 is "would fight to the death to keep them in the country or would be willing to kick them out pronto and hope the door doesn't hit them in the butt on their way out" attitude, where would you rank in your emotional intensity towards Quebec.

Depends, is 10 high or low.
If 10 is high, I'm about 1 - slightly amused when someone or some group brings the issue up again.

 

[CDNBear]

Strange thing, CDNBear: you appear to be defending French Canadians more than I am, and I'm French-Canadian! Or am i misreading you somewhere in this thread?

I'm not sure what ones cultural heritage has to do with the fundamental human right of self determination.

 

[Toro]

I don't care.