A while back, you may
have seen those lovely looking people on Montreal bus panels - their faces smiling over
this message: “La langue française, c’est la langue Quebécoise” – something
like that – with a ‘vrai’ in there; or, written on French classroom walls saying, Le
francaise, c’est la meilleur langue.”
It also appears on local
French TV stations using a seductive voice-over in an haut-art ad, showing
contented, successful people in several professions and trades (note that very
few ‘Québecois’ blacks or Asians are presented). Both of these ‘enlightened’
ads are sponsored by l’Office de la langue française. I find it all deceptive.
Everyone looks so happy and carefree. The ad with its soft, diffuse lighting
looks like it was created by a cinematic art director. But what lies beneath
the glow? The Office is actually sending a succinct message, telling all
native-born Anglophones and thousands of immigrants that French is the magic
bullet. It’s clever subliminal advertising.
We all know that French is the operative language in the province. Isn’t this a
platitude, so why did ‘le Grand Frère’ spend lots of money on such an ad
campaign? You don’t see in Argentina - where there is a massive mix of
languages and cultures – an ad saying: “Espaňol, es la lengua de la Argentina;
nor in Germany, Greece, Spain, France or Turkey.’. So what’s up?
I believe any "Speak French" ad is a highly visible attempt to remind all ‘outsiders’ that the
‘acceptable’ language is French. Unfortunately, this inference contains a
subtext of exclusion: the ad devalues and even debases all other languages and
their speakers. If you don't speak it, you don't belong here.
What I find appalling is the fact that this is the same kind of insidious
knee-jerk reaction we get in racism. I say we ought never to judge a person by
the colour of his/her skin or the language he or she speaks. This is not the
way to go. It’s time we went past this. Intolerance is as easy to promote as
lighting a match. Clearly, the intrinsic message in the ad is insensitive, and
a tad incendiary, since it subliminally and subtly encourages us to think that
we ought to disdain those who don’t use French every day in their lives here.
It’s high time we begin to use our brains and a tempered heart to seize and
appreciate every individual’s uniqueness. This is what defines
humanity’s progress. Why can’t we have this message: «Le Québec, c’est la
province ou chaque culture et chaque langue sont célébrées: un québécois traverse
le monde ici; utilsant le français, ça va plus vite.» (The last part of this line is my conciliation to Bill
101).
When I was 16, I roomed with a francophone while studying Québecois French at Laval University
one summer – a great experience. The following summer, I went to Glendon College to study ‘Continental French’. I
learned French varies - not just the accent, but expressions here and overseas.
My Haitian friend Marie from Snowdon claims
that her French is the ‘real’ one; she’s a ‘vraie’ Quebecer.
I was nominated for a Mr. Christie award for my children’s book, ‘Les Cinq Sens
en Folie’. Bilingual, even degreed to teach, I taught French in Ontario. My first job
was in French here. I even taught drama and ESL at the French School,
École Mont Royale, many years ago. But an incident taught me that exclusion is
not based on language. I was invited by the Quebecois publisher to celebrate at
a party. I made a comment (in French) that this is the way it should be: Anglophones
and francophones having fun together, though I seemed to be the only anglais
there. The cute fellow I was talking to yelled at me I would never be a
Quebecer, I wasn’t wanted here. I persisted as I laid into a litany of my
‘French’ accomplishments, including my education, employment and Ottawa friends who were
francophone. But I was a tête carrée according to this fellow. He had also
written a kid’s book so I thought we had something in common – something to
share. I felt rejected and discouraged, and left the party as an outcast. Maybe
this incident was an anomaly, but this chap was refined, ‘educated’- Quebec’s pride.
Maybe
l’Office needs a second ad that states: «La langue française, on vous admire pour
l’apprendre, mais d’être accepté, ça c’est autre
chose.»
Please Quebec, it’s time you started
educating your own about tolerance, since you do have a generous immigration
policy here (though the agenda smacks of ‘francisiation’: in numbers there is
strength).
Quebec is uniquely great because of its diversity.
Legislating culture and language threatens the most priceless language of all:
democracy.