So Quebec “has at times taken provocative steps to preserve French as its official language” (Pardon my French: dismay in Quebec as francophones fail language test, 6 April). You bet. But there is a good reason for that. Quebec has been forced to take unusual measures to protect its official language – such as regulating store signage and creating an agency dedicated to the protection of French – because its situation is completely out of the ordinary. Quebec is the only jurisdiction in North America, apart from some aboriginal communities, where the official language is not English or declared bilingual (only one small province).
After more than 200 years of forced and passive assimilation attempts, the province is trying to provide a normal linguistic environment to its French-speaking majority, where immigrants adopt the language of the land and locals use French in their daily life. Unfortunately, what is normal in most countries is seen as provocative, laughable, close-minded, foolish and divisive. Not sure the criticisms addressed against Quebec’s language policy would be mentioned against aboriginal communities who are trying their best in Canada to follow in Quebec’s footsteps.
Yves Goulet
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
