This isn't just ethnic pride talking. Jedwab compared the number of respondents who reported learning those languages as children and the number who reported still speaking the language at home on a regular basis. And he said Greeks tend to marry outside their community less often than other ethnic-minority Montrealers, which also makes it easier to pass on language and traditions. The existence of English and French as dominant languages in Montreal has also been a factor in the flourishing of minority languages like Greek. In Spiro Theodosiou's house, speaking English is a no-no, just as it was when he was a child.
Family ties are really important, too.
Theodosiou lives in the duplex upstairs from his mother in the house in Park Extension where he grew up. Like many Greek youths, he lived at home until he married. Never forget your culture. When his father died four years ago, Theodosiou took over his stake in the Village Grec restaurant on Jean Talon and left behind a successful and gratifying career in cabinet-making. He and his partner, Terry Moukas, who also took over the business from his father, have renovated the old restaurant, sprucing it up with Theodosiou's custom-built woodwork, enlarging the kitchen and expanding delivery as far as St. Leonard.