The survival of the language at the beginning of the century.
In my opinion, the survival of the French language is simple, have more children, increase Francophone emigration to Montreal and improve the francization program for new arrivals at school and in business.
The phenomenon of assimilation follows the following path:
- Language of use of English at work;
- Language of use of English in public places;
- Language of use of English at school;
- Home language of English.
Contrary to political discourse, the law is not an effective solution to improve the protection of the French language in Quebec. The Official Languages Act at the federal level and Bill 101 in Quebec is a good example. It slows down assimilation without touching the root of the problem. It depends on the time scale we are talking about. We would have to look at the figures on each generation. In addition, economic reasons are determining factors in assimilation.
The phenomenon of the assimilation of francophones outside Quebec can help us understand the situation in Quebec.
Imagine a person from Chicoutimi in 1891
- Language of use of English at work;
- Language of use of French in public places;
- Language of use of English at school;
- Home language of English.
Statistics on the decline of French in Canada
Source: Statistics Canada
To be continued...
Article Quebec