Differences between Canadian and British people
Jul 4th 2014, 1:07 pm
#106
Stand-up Philosopher
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Regina Saskatchewan
Posts: 16,344
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
What I experienced in my short stay in Quebec (mostly Montreal) was that they want you to try to speak French. When I used my high-school French and it wasn't enough they would often relent and speak English (when they could) with no hard feelings. They don't come here and assume everyone is going to speak French so it seems fair that Anglos make an effort to speak their language when in Quebec.
Edit: iirc I dropped French after grade 9 or 10 because I was failing anyway so 'high-school French' is incorrect. It was taught from grade 7 on, I think. And so we were introduced to French, sex education, and puberty all at the same time.
Edit: iirc I dropped French after grade 9 or 10 because I was failing anyway so 'high-school French' is incorrect. It was taught from grade 7 on, I think. And so we were introduced to French, sex education, and puberty all at the same time.
Last edited by caretaker; Jul 4th 2014 at 1:58 pm.
Jul 4th 2014, 1:58 pm
#107
Slob
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Ottineau
Posts: 6,342
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
What I experienced in my short stay in Quebec (mostly Montreal) was that they want you to try to speak French. When I used my high-school French and it wasn't enough they would often relent and speak English (when they could) with no hard feelings. They don't come here and assume everyone is going to speak French so it seems fair that Anglos make an effort to speak their language when in Quebec.
The francos very much like it when you speak French, even if you cock it up badly. It's the effort that counts. They will switch to English if they know that their English is better than your French. I had a guy the other day switch to English mid-conversation.
<disclaimer: My opinion is based solely on the fact that I live in QC, am married to a franco woman and have been around French Canadians for the last 18 years. Other posters on here may well be far more informed on the subject than I am.>
Jul 4th 2014, 3:35 pm
#108
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 50
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
That is interesting to me....I moved here 'specifically' because it's 'bi-lingual New Brunswick' and whilst it's not as French ad I'd like, it is at least French in many respects. Our son, born and bred in France, who is now 13 is doing well, has learned to speak 'English other than with my mother' and is flourishing.
Where are you? I am assuming? That you have never been to Quebec?
I work in engineering and have to phone Montreal lots...if I start off in French (I lived there for a long Time so it's not bad) I get on well...if you can't speak it, it's easy to put them down...but if you can't speak it they will put you down faster....quite correctly
Where are you? I am assuming? That you have never been to Quebec?
I work in engineering and have to phone Montreal lots...if I start off in French (I lived there for a long Time so it's not bad) I get on well...if you can't speak it, it's easy to put them down...but if you can't speak it they will put you down faster....quite correctly
Jul 4th 2014, 3:44 pm
#109
Lowering the tone
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Here and there
Posts: 7,351
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
So, your son was born in France and speaks the version of French from the original Country of the language. You say he has learned to speak English but not with your Mother! Is she not English speaking? Didn't your Son learn English automatically from yourself? Well, I know a person who teaches French in a High School in Windsor (I live in Belle River) just outside of Windsor Ontario. Well, this person went to France for a holiday and thought Great I will speak French. Well, the people of France were speaking to this person in English as they could not understand the version of French she was speaking!! No, I have never been to Quebec and I have no desire to either.Let's face it the British have never liked the French and vice-versa. Look at the protests when our Royals visit Canada from the "French" contingency it's atrocious. I would never give up my British Citizenship for the world. I go Home at least twice a year and to sit on that airline for 7hrs listening to everything repeated in French drives me crazy. For goodness sake 99% of the people speak English anyway so what's with that? If you like French so much Why not move to France and have done with it?
Jul 4th 2014, 3:49 pm
#110
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
So, your son was born in France and speaks the version of French from the original Country of the language. You say he has learned to speak English but not with your Mother! Is she not English speaking? Didn't your Son learn English automatically from yourself? Well, I know a person who teaches French in a High School in Windsor (I live in Belle River) just outside of Windsor Ontario. Well, this person went to France for a holiday and thought Great I will speak French. Well, the people of France were speaking to this person in English as they could not understand the version of French she was speaking!! No, I have never been to Quebec and I have no desire to either.Let's face it the British have never liked the French and vice-versa. Look at the protests when our Royals visit Canada from the "French" contingency it's atrocious. I would never give up my British Citizenship for the world. I go Home at least twice a year and to sit on that airline for 7hrs listening to everything repeated in French drives me crazy. For goodness sake 99% of the people speak English anyway so what's with that? If you like French so much Why not move to France and have done with it?
Jul 4th 2014, 3:52 pm
#111
Slob
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Ottineau
Posts: 6,342
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
So, your son was born in France and speaks the version of French from the original Country of the language. You say he has learned to speak English but not with your Mother! Is she not English speaking? Didn't your Son learn English automatically from yourself? Well, I know a person who teaches French in a High School in Windsor (I live in Belle River) just outside of Windsor Ontario. Well, this person went to France for a holiday and thought Great I will speak French. Well, the people of France were speaking to this person in English as they could not understand the version of French she was speaking!! No, I have never been to Quebec and I have no desire to either.Let's face it the British have never liked the French and vice-versa. Look at the protests when our Royals visit Canada from the "French" contingency it's atrocious. I would never give up my British Citizenship for the world. I go Home at least twice a year and to sit on that airline for 7hrs listening to everything repeated in French drives me crazy. For goodness sake 99% of the people speak English anyway so what's with that? If you like French so much Why not move to France and have done with it?
a) monumentally stupid
b) a UKIP founder
c) a troll
Jul 4th 2014, 3:54 pm
#112
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
So, your son was born in France and speaks the version of French from the original Country of the language. You say he has learned to speak English but not with your Mother! Is she not English speaking? Didn't your Son learn English automatically from yourself? Well, I know a person who teaches French in a High School in Windsor (I live in Belle River) just outside of Windsor Ontario. Well, this person went to France for a holiday and thought Great I will speak French. Well, the people of France were speaking to this person in English as they could not understand the version of French she was speaking!! No, I have never been to Quebec and I have no desire to either.Let's face it the British have never liked the French and vice-versa. Look at the protests when our Royals visit Canada from the "French" contingency it's atrocious. I would never give up my British Citizenship for the world. I go Home at least twice a year and to sit on that airline for 7hrs listening to everything repeated in French drives me crazy. For goodness sake 99% of the people speak English anyway so what's with that? If you like French so much Why not move to France and have done with it?
Jul 4th 2014, 4:20 pm
#114
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 50
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
No, and I am not particularly interested. If people who Post statements on this site are not prepared to read remarks which are unfavourable to them then don't bother! As for your remarks in "that" language I'm afraid it fell on "not deaf ears" but "blind eyes". This site I thought is for peoples' opinions.
Jul 4th 2014, 4:36 pm
#115
"In cruce vincam"
Joined: May 2010
Location: Mill Bay, Vancouver Island
Posts: 3,232
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
No, and I am not particularly interested. If people who Post statements on this site are not prepared to read remarks which are unfavourable to them then don't bother! As for your remarks in "that" language I'm afraid it fell on "not deaf ears" but "blind eyes". This site I thought is for peoples' opinions.
Jul 4th 2014, 4:39 pm
#116
BE user by choice
Joined: Oct 2010
Location: A Briton, married to a Canadian, now in Fredericton.
Posts: 4,854
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
It's not really bi-lingual at all Souvy. There are areas that are mostly French, like Dieppe, near Moncton, and lots of the Arcadian peninsula and then areas that are totally English. I know several companies in Fredericton that speak mostly French, but they are few and far between. They 'teach' proper French in my son's French school, but in the playground the kids speak mostly English I believe or some dreadful mixture, which my son says is 'langue populaire'!
Jul 4th 2014, 4:48 pm
#118
BE user by choice
Joined: Oct 2010
Location: A Briton, married to a Canadian, now in Fredericton.
Posts: 4,854
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
I realised that we have been amiss Porthcawl, nobody wished you "Welcome to British Expats" - so here goes! Delightful to have you in our friendly forum
Jul 4th 2014, 4:52 pm
#119
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 50
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
Jul 4th 2014, 4:55 pm
#120
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 50
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
Well Thank You Millie F. How much do you miss Home? or not.! Nice to know somebody hasn't forgotten there British etiquette!
Last edited by Porthcawl; Jul 4th 2014 at 5:09 pm. Reason: Just wanted to add something