Francophones and Their Cultures

Explore the rich culture and heritage of Francophones through Desklib's collection of articles and essays. Learn about the impact of French culture in Quebec, Toronto, France, Spain, and Dakar.

Running head: FRANCOPHONES AND THEIR CULTURES
FRANCOPHONES AND THEIR CULTURES
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1FRANCOPHONES AND THEIR CULTURES
Table of Contents
Quebec.............................................................................................................................................2
Article 1.......................................................................................................................................2
Toronto............................................................................................................................................3
Article 2.......................................................................................................................................3
France..............................................................................................................................................4
Article 1.......................................................................................................................................4
Spain................................................................................................................................................5
Article 2.......................................................................................................................................5
Dakar................................................................................................................................................7
Article 1.......................................................................................................................................7
Article 2.......................................................................................................................................8

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Quebec
Article 1
Title: In Montreal, a Berlin Wall of the Mind?
Author: Dan Bilefsky
Publication: The New York Times
Date: March 5th, 2018
Reference: The New York Times (2018). In Montreal, a Berlin Wall of the Mind?. [online]
Nytimes.com. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/05/world/canada/montreal-
french-english-divide.html [Accessed 11 Mar. 2019].
Who? – The Francophone and Anglophones of Quebec.
What? – The sculptures near the Old Port of the city (Two Solitudes).
Where? – The Quebec Province of Canada
When? – British colonial rule 1847
Why? – A symbol of cultural difference between the Francophone and Anglophone in habiting
the Quebec province of Canada.
Personal Review:
Montreal is the largest city in the Quebec province of Canada and since ages it has been
an epitome that hold the distinct cultures of the francophone in the province. Near the old Port of
the city there is a sculpture that signifies a woman who is dressed in a suit and is constantly
sneering at the bank of Montreal holding a French poodle in her hand. On the other side of the

3FRANCOPHONES AND THEIR CULTURES
road there stands an Anglophone who is in his dapper English suits hold and English pub in his
hand. This phenomenon of the sculptures on the old Port road of Montreal is just a representation
of the language and cultures differences have always been in the lime light in the city of
Montreal due to the ideological differences between the Francophone and the Anglophone. The
separation of the sculpture on the two sides of the road is just a metaphorical representation of
how the Anglophones and the Francophone historically lived on the two different sides of the
Boulevard Street. Language has always been a barrier due to which the two populations residing
in the same city could never live easily with each other. This phenomena also aggravated since
the time French was made one of the official languages in the Quebec province of Canada.
Toronto
Article 2
Tittle: Celebrating French culture and heritage benefits Ontario
Author: Guy Breton
Publication: The Star
Date: November 26th, 2018
Reference: The Star. (2018). Celebrating French culture and heritage benefits Ontario | The Star.
Retrieved from https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/2018/11/26/celebrating-french-
culture-and-heritage-benefits-ontario.html
Who? – The Francophone of Canada
What? – Heritage and cultural benefits of Ontario, Canada.

4FRANCOPHONES AND THEIR CULTURES
Where? – Toronto, Canada
When? – Since the French invasion in Canada in the 16th Century.
Why? – Cultural tolerance of French heritage and culture in Canada.
Personal Review:
Canada has been a country that was been serving a wide range of francophone in their country
since centuries and still show a very humble approach to them regardless of the oppressions that
the native Canadians once faced being a French colony. The world has witnessed how Canadians
still respect the French culture and they are extremely open to sharing their space with the non-
natives. Though, there are few individuals who still cannot accept the intervention of the French
individuals in their mother –land nut the government has done enough uphold brotherhood and
fraternity. The constant disregard of language between the Anglophone and the Francophone
also cannot be looked over yet constantly attempt of maintain peace within the territory has been
so far successful by the Canadian government. This article also states that point that the people
of Canada are aware of the French philosophies and they highly regard the mindset of the great
French philosophers but that however does not intend the Canada has ever disregarded the idea
of the Anglophones at any point of time. Moreover, Canada is the only country in the world that
can proudly boast about how they are the only country in the entire world who have read
William Shakespeare and Victor Hugo at the same time.
France
Article 1
Tittle: Lyon: Lively city where art and culture are streets ahead

5FRANCOPHONES AND THEIR CULTURES
Author: Geoff Ho
Publication: Express
Date: March 10th, 2019
Reference: Express. (2019). Lyon: Lively city where art and culture are streets ahead. Retrieved
from https://www.express.co.uk/travel/shortbreaks/1098197/lyon-france-travel-art-culture
Who? – Citizens of the Lyon city of France.
What? – The aesthetical view of art and creativity on the walls and streets of Lyon.
Where? – Lyon, France
When? – During the local tour of the Lyon city.
Why? – The beauty of the cultural representation through art.
Personal Review:
Lyon is a city that is considered to be ahead then the streets of the city when consider from the
point of art and culture. One example of this in the tunnel known as the Le Tube that stretches
under the Croix-Rousse hill which is located in the center of Lyon. The best experience can be
drawn by cyclists and pedestrians or even on bike tours that are primarily provided by the Lyon
Bike Tour. The Parc de la Tete d’Or, is also another reason which makes Lyon a city of wonder
as it provides a feeling of serenity amidst the busy hustle of the city. The best experience for both
pedestrians and cyclists is the wide paths and cycle lanes that would encourage any individual to
explore the park in the best way possible. The surprise that comes with the park is that it is a host
to the Lyon Zoo and one can have an exciting journey of watching all the different animals
around that have been brought from the thick jungles of Asia and South America. Every corner

6FRANCOPHONES AND THEIR CULTURES
of the city has some reference of the French which consists of the multi-colored bear or some
notable figures from the rich history of France. The essence of the beautiful art of the city can
also be seen while on the banks of the majestic river Rhone. The building f the city is as such
that if an individual keep staring at the building then the person would release that the people
who seem to be coming out from the building or even relaxing on the balconies are actually
painted. This shows how the artistic talent of the city dwellers is well ahead from other French
cities. Therefore, this article shows how Lyon is a city has celebrated a very rich taste of art ad
culture.
Spain
Article 2
Tittle: Seafood and cider: a foodie's guide to France and Spain
Author: Joe Woodman
Publication: The Telegraph
Date: February 10th, 2017
Reference: The Telegraph. (2017). Seafood and cider: a foodie's guide to France and Spain.
Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/spain-france-driving-routes/local-french-and-
spanish-food-and-drink/
Who? – Restaurants in France and Spain.
What? – Similar seafood cuisine in France and Spain.
Where? – Spain

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When? – During seafood cuisine orders in the restaurants of France and Spain.
Why? – To perpetuate the similarity in the taste of seafood lovers in both the countries.
Personal Review:
France and Spain are significantly identical in serving their world class cuisines and they have
few things in common which attract different food lovers from all around the world. The
similarity between French and Spanish cuisine is that they both serve some exotic collection of
seafood. Fresh and nutrient rich sea food is gathered from the wash offs of the sandy shores
which only not only bring a rich collection of sea fish but also a variety of shellfish. The
countries have been serving an exotic collection of food since time immemorial and they have
been providing a these two edible items for ages now; namely, cheese and cider. The French
people have been producers of ciders since centuries now and main serving is always with an
array of pork dishes and camembert cheese. Now this cider is referred to as sidra that is produced
in the Spanish Asturias which is enhanced by the sidra being poured from a significant height
that provides a fine addition to tapas. Lush pastures in France, enjoy an equal amount of billing
as compared to the ocean of natural larder. The shores of Normandy and Brittany are a place
where oysters, scallops and mussels are grown which mostly found of the tariff card of various
seafood restaurants. Such kind of delicious seafood items are identical in the list of seafood
restaurants in Spain. Spanish traders like the French seafood gatherers also have similar methods
of rearing such seafood items for their consumers. Therefore, from this article it can be
understood that the people of France and Spain share a similar taste of seafood. Cheese on the
other hand is one of the major manufactures of France and it is consumed with several dishes
which make it an exotic cuisine in the French territory. Similarly the Blue cheeses are also a

8FRANCOPHONES AND THEIR CULTURES
famous manufacture of the Spanish people which is known to the entire world for the
mesmerizing taste it possesses.
Dakar
Article 1
Tittle: Conflicting Modernities: Battles over France’s Policy of Adapted Education in French
West Africa. In France's Modernising Mission
Author: Tony Chafer
Publication: Palgrave Macmillan, London.
Date: 2018
Reference: Chafer, T. (2018). Conflicting modernities: battles over France’s policy of adapted
education in French West Africa. In France's Modernising Mission (pp. 3-30). Palgrave
Macmillan, London.
Who – The people of Dakar.
What – Educational policies
Where – In Dakar in Senegal, West Africa
When – After independence of the region
Why – In order to perpetuate the French culture in the region
Personal Review:
Senegal, one of the countries in West Africa, was a French territory during the period of
colonization. As a result, the influences of French culture in the capital of Senegal. Known as

9FRANCOPHONES AND THEIR CULTURES
Dakar, even in the present contemporary world, is quite remarkable. Senegal achieved its
independence from the Government of France only very recently. As a consequence, the last
vestiges of French culture has become a legacy within this city. There is a conscious effort made
by the population of Dakar to ensure that the French culture is kept very much alive by the
people of this city. The authors of this article focuses on the aspect of education in order to
determine how the French culture is kept alive within Dakar. If analyzed from close quarters,
then it is revealed that the system of public education in Dakar still manages to imbibe the
influence of France within its elementary education. The young minds attending such schools are
made to learn about the importance of French culture, their way of dressing, their standard of
living and the food they eat. Most importantly, the children are taught about the importance and
significance of the customs and traditions which are unique to France. This proves that the city
still suffers from colonial hangover. If the young minds are trained to respect a country which
plundered and colonized its people, then it will become very difficult for the said country to
achieve its real independence. The strategy of the government to teach the young children to be
loyal to France is also significant as they will grow up to respect the French culture and its
values. The strength of this article lies in the fact that it analyses the importance of education in
shaping the minds of people. The authors look in to the factor of education and how it influences
people to keep a culture alive. The weakness of this article is that it overlooks the desire by the
native people of Dakar to follow the cultures and traditions of France. France might have been a
colonizer, but the acceptance of a particular culture is solely a private affair of an individual.
Article 2
Tittle: In Hip Hop Time: Music, Memory, and Social Change in Urban Senegal
Author: C. M. Appert

10FRANCOPHONES AND THEIR CULTURES
Publication: Oxford University Press
Date: 2018
Reference: Appert, C. M. (2018). In Hip Hop Time: Music, Memory, and Social Change in
Urban Senegal. Oxford University Press.
Who – The people in Dakar.
What – The changes in the society
Where – In Dakar in in Senegal, West Africa
When – After independence from French control
Why – In order to perpetuate the French culture
Personal Review:
This article looks in to the preponderance of the French culture within the familial life of
the people living in urban Dakar, the capital of Senegal, located in West Africa. The author,
Appert (2018) does a survey on the neighbourhood of Ouakam in Dakar in order to understand
the extent to which the culture of France is still followed within the city. The survey reveals that
the people of Senegal still talks in the language of French. This is significant because it is the
language which often influences the social changes within the society. The author is of the
opinion that if a person talks in a particular language, then the individual automatically becomes
emotionally attached to that particular culture. The society of Ouakam also has certain historical
roots within the French culture. The people there were initially hired by the French colonizers in
order to work in civilian jobs and often in certain military posts. The strength of the article lies in

11FRANCOPHONES AND THEIR CULTURES
the fact that the author analyzes the historical basis of the influence of French culture within the
surveyed society. However, the drawback is that the other communities are ignored.