Sociology Report: French Language and Culture Issues in Montreal

This sociology report delves into the multifaceted issues confronting the French-speaking population in Montreal, examining the tensions between Anglophones and Francophones, the impact of language policies, and the preservation of French language and culture. Through analysis of various articles, the report highlights the debates surrounding bilingualism, the role of language police, and the concerns of local shopkeepers navigating linguistic complexities. It further explores the political dimensions of language, the challenges of integrating French immigrants, and the importance of maintaining cultural diversity while ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents. The report concludes by emphasizing the need for effective policies and communication strategies to address these issues and foster a harmonious society in Montreal. Desklib offers a platform to access this and similar solved assignments for students.

Running head- SOCIOLOGY
Issues of French speaking population in Montreal
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author note

1
SOCIOLOGY
Table of contents
Part A.........................................................................................................................................2
Article summaries..................................................................................................................2
Part B..........................................................................................................................................3
Article discussion...................................................................................................................3
Part C..........................................................................................................................................5
Analysis..................................................................................................................................5
References..................................................................................................................................7

2
SOCIOLOGY
Part A
Article summaries
Source 1- Bbc.com (2019). Rebelling against Quebec's 'language police'. Retrieved 17th
March 2019 from https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-22408248
This article enhances the awareness of the issues on resurgence with the Canadian
police regarding the bitter language used by the Francophone naturalists. As per the current
affairs, the English speakers are revolting against the language police. One of the positive
connotations from this issue is the implementation of new laws for reducing the use of
English dialects in schools, hospitals and shops (Bbc.com, 2019). This has added
vulnerability into the power of the Anglophones. The local shop owners find a commonality
in this issue. He favours multilingualism is reflected in his shop window, an attraction from
the critics. This relates with the aspect of language police.
Source 2- Bbc.com (2019). Canada province urges shopkeepers to stop saying 'Bonjour-
Hi'. Retrieved 17th March 2019 from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-
42200730 The article highlights the issue of unofficial greeting in case of the bilingual
customers by the Montreal shopkeepers. The contradictory phrase in question is “Bonjour,
Hi”. According to the legislation, the phrase can only be used for greeting the natives. The
legislation affirms French as an official language, aggravating the complexities regarding the
use of English language. Unanimous verdict for the issue adds the status of “ridiculous” to
the debate (Bbc.com, 2019). The article traces the origin of the motion by Francophile Parti
Quebecois, luring the businesspersons to indulge into contract with the local and foreign
clients through the utterance of the word bonjour.
Source 3- Nationalpost.com (2019). Ignore the alarmists, there is no language crisis in
Quebec, economists say. Retrieved 17th March 2019 from

3
SOCIOLOGY
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/ignore-the-alarmists-there-is-no-language-crisis-
in-quebec-economists-say
The article nullifies the concept of conflict in the threshold of Quebec. Parades,
concerts and bonfires gain a major position in the article in terms of preserving the sanctity of
French language. Media coverage of these protests reported a decline in the proportion of the
Quebecers as compared to the French. In this, the major focus was laid on the merchants from
Montreal reflecting their courtesy through greeting the foreigners (Nationalpost.com, 2019).
The article equates the Quebecers with language issues. However, the critics are of the
opinion that the legislative requirements have sufficed the need for maintaining the order,
harmony and decorum within the country.
Part B
Article discussion
The first and the third article can be placed as a compare and contrast. This is in terms
of the opinions about the language crisis. The police are ought to look after the order and
harmony of the countries, which the alarmist tend to oppose. This is on the basis of religious
sentiments and individual viewpoints, compelling them to expose restraint towards
transformations (Cardinal, 2015). The immediate result of this are protests, parades and
revolts against the laws passed. In comparison to this, the second article highlights the impact
of the revolts and protests on the common public, like the local shopkeepers. The case of
shopkeepers in Montreal greeting the foreigners in their native language attains the status of a
conflicting issue.
Common public are the puppets in the hands of the government, who mould them
according to the current trends. On the other hand, the public are instructed to align with the
customs, traditions and culture. Typical evidence of this lies in use of the phrase Bonjour hi

4
SOCIOLOGY
for greeting the foreigners. Conflicting viewpoints regarding the language can be considered
as a compromise with the Right to Speech, adding interrogative parameter to the freedom of
the individuals. On the other hand, Bale, (2016) emphasis on the fact of giving privileges to
the influential people generates biases within the culture, dissecting the public into groups.
The minority group is the most affected ones from these biases, who encounter suppression
from the Francophones.
Mention can also be made of the intervention of the French immigrants, who added to
the tension of the language problems in Montreal. The French expats discovered that
language is exempted from transforming the living standards of the community people. This
issue adds concerns over the safety and security of the locals, like the shopkeepers mentioned
in the second article. The foreigners express that they do not find Montreal as beautiful as
their native land. This is against the essence and connotation of culture. Reflection of the
political tensions in the magazines added an ombre shade to the future of French in the
Montreal (Morton, 2015). These instabilities add to the power and authority of the alarmist,
intending to ignite a spark to the revolts regarding the language crisis in Montreal.
The government is entrusted with the responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing
of the public. In such a situation, protests and revolts indicate problematic approach towards
security. Delving deep into the issue, these revolts are directed towards adding flexibility to
the rights of the people regarding language. In this, involvement of the locals is fruitful in
terms of achieving positive results. However, sideparting with the influential and political
groups acts as a compromise for the living standards of the community people. In this
context, Montreal is just a country in terms of the intensified form of political instabilities,
which has entrapped the existence of the common public. Gasher et al. (2016) is of the view
that Agendas and policies are needed in terms of controlling these issues in terms of
stabilizing the aspect of order and harmony.

5
SOCIOLOGY
Part C
Analysis
According to Pocock, (2016), maintenance of diversity in the health is one of the
biggest challenges for Quebec. In this, the most victimized are the minority groups.
Partnership approach is productive in terms of enhancing the standards of living for these
groups. However, Bale, (2016) argues that if the government does noyt have flexible policies,
they cannot ensure the safety and security of the people. This includes proper and authentic
Agenda, policies, defense measures among others. The critics are of the opinion that bilingual
rights prove effective for the local and foreigners in terms of averting the illegal instances. In
this, mention can be made of involving the locals in briefing them about the latest revisions in
the verdicts.
Conflicting viewpoints regarding the intervention of French intensifies the crisis in
terms of language. Morton, (2015) highlights the crisis of 1971, which traces the history of
such issues since the ancient ages. On the contrary, Gasher et al., (2016) takes up the issue of
media coverage of the issue, which degrades the culture of both Montreal and France. This
issue particularly sheds light on the democratic theories and practices, revolving around
language crisis, adding an interrogative parameter to the existence of the locals. As per the
arguments of Brandusescu, Sieber and Jochems, (2016), the technique of crisis mapping is
useful in terms of detecting the areas, where the conflicts are likely to happen. This is
assistance in terms of issuing warnings, an initiative for enhancing the living standards of the
community people.
Crisis reflects a degradation of the religious sentiments and values. Deliberate
approach towards revolts and crisis acts as a deviation towards the customs, traditions and
values. On the contrary, being a victim of the cultural issues, adds an ombre shade to the
sanctity of the nation and its pride (Hall, 2019). This is a matter of shame in terms of

6
SOCIOLOGY
preserving cultural values, customs and traditions, raising doubts over the role of the
government in terms of maintaining order, harmony and decorum of the state. If the officials
are not conscious towards the communication skills, they would fail to attract the mass in
terms of establishing strong roots for the cultural dimension of language.

7
SOCIOLOGY
References
Bale, J. (2016). In defense of language rights: Rethinking the rights orientation from a
political economy perspective. Bilingual Research Journal, 39(3-4), 231-247.
Bbc.com (2019). Canada province urges shopkeepers to stop saying 'Bonjour-Hi'. Retrieved
17th March 2019 from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42200730
Bbc.com (2019). Rebelling against Quebec's 'language police'. Retrieved 17th March 2019
from https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-22408248
Brandusescu, A., Sieber, R. E., & Jochems, S. (2016). Confronting the hype: The use of crisis
mapping for community development. Convergence, 22(6), 616-632.
Cardinal, L. (2015). State Tradition and Language Regime in Canada¹. State traditions and
language regimes, 29.
Gasher, M., Brin, C., Crowther, C., KIng, G., Salamon, E., & Thibault, S. (Eds.).
(2016). Journalism in crisis: Bridging theory and practice for democratic media
strategies in Canada. University of Toronto Press.
Hall, D. J. (2019). The Canada Crisis: A Christian Perspective. Wipf and Stock Publishers.
Morton, D. (2015). Did the French Canadians Cause the Conscription Crisis of
1917?. Canadian Military History, 24(1), 3.
Nationalpost.com (2019). Ignore the alarmists, there is no language crisis in Quebec,
economists say. Retrieved 17th March 2019 from
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/ignore-the-alarmists-there-is-no-language-
crisis-in-quebec-economists-say

8
SOCIOLOGY
Pocock, J. (2016). Meeting the challenge of diversity in health: the networking and
partnership approach of quebec’s english-speaking minority. Journal of Eastern
Townships Studies/Revue d'études des Cantons-de-l'Est (JETS/RECE), (46).