From: beaurega@ireq.hydro.qc.ca (Denis Beauregard)
Subject: Re: Americans on English schools in Quebec (Was: Quebec)
Organization: Institut de recherche d'Hydro-Quebec, Varennes, Canada
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 14:44:53 GMT

In article <1992Nov16.101432.5291@spxtech.qc.ca> steven@spxtech.qc.ca (Steve Potter) writes:
>
>There is another office whose work is to find ways to replace English place
>names with French ones (we've discussed that one before).

And after discussion, we find it was not true.  They actually made a work
of standardization.

>English language films are permitted in Quebec for a limited period until
>a French dubbed sound track version is available (I think - correct me if
>i'm wrong).

Many movies are never translated.  The same on TV.  Star Trek Next Generation
is in its 6th (?) season and we are still waiting for the French version.
The same way for the Simpson (looks like they will play the 1st series
3 or 4 more times before broadcasting the next one).  The same for many other
series.  You are privileged and you are complaining.  Did you know it?

>There are some very positive measures that could be taken to encourage and
>develop the use of French in Quebec WITHOUT resorting to repressive and
>unacceptable violations of civil liberties and human rights and freedoms.

NO WAY.  Compare the pre-1976 era and today.  There is NO INDICATION that
putting the law in the pre-1976 state will not bring the language in
the same inaceptable pre-1976 state.  Proof: an Anglophone minister
of the Boubou gov. was saying that we shall abolish the 101 and 178 law
because doing business in English only will make the business stronger.
If such stupid statements are still used by a minister, what will happen
with all the other aspect of the 101 law?

>It is believed to be politically beneficial for a prospective election
>candidate in Quebec to be seen to be anglo-bashing or exacting revenge
>on the English of today for the "sins" of the English of the past.

This is typical pro-French bashing.  Pro-French is not good because
it is anti-English.  Ridiculous.  In a given language space, in a long
extent (and this is universal), one language will take all the place.
We (the French-speaking in Quebec) prefer it to be French.  You prefer
it to be English because, as a newcomer, you pretend to have more
rights (privilege) than local people.

>The fact that there are some positive steps being taken to encourage the
>use of French in Quebec does not change the fact that there are some
>repressive measures also being taken that are undesirable and unacceptable
>in a civilized democracy (which Quebec is not :-( )

Is Canada a civilized democracy?  Is Britain a civilized democracy?
Please give us an example.  Canada which is spending billions on
make-upping a constitution to bullshit everybody instead of paying
attention to economy, Britain which is continuing civil war state in
Northern Ireland intead of recognizing the better step would be to move out.

>Not least for people coming here whose roots are already firmly established
>as English!

Still again : more rights to newcomers who voluntarily selected Quebec.

>>  Il faut faire clairement comprendre
>> que le francais est necessaire pour survivre et s'epanouir au Quebec.

>That French is needed to do well in Quebec should be reason enough to have
>one's children learn the language - and learn it well.

So, if French is needed in Quebec, why not making it only language in
schools?  

-- 
  \_\    Denis Beauregard  *  internet:beaurega@ireq.hydro.qc.ca
 /   \   Ge'ne'alogiste des familles : Beauregard/Jarret/Jarest/Vincent
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