The majority of 18- to 34-year-olds in Quebec regularly use English to post messages on social networks, play video games, listen to podcasts or shop online. Most of them favor using English in work or businesses.
There is indeed a generation gap. Younger people are shifting more towards English
In an interview, Minister Jean-François Roberge emphasizes the latest report from the Office Québécois de la Langue Française (OQLF) on the evolution of Quebec’s linguistic situation.
Submitted every five years, this document is based on data from Statistics Canada’s censuses or surveys.OQLF. As French language minister, Jean-Francois Roberge will present to the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Social networks, a scourge for the French?
We are becoming anglicized, we are becoming Americanized. This is what we as a government need to slow down
Mr. Roberge adds.
The Minister specifically points to social networks such as Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) or Snapchat, where only 44% of 18-34 year olds post their messages in French. The majority mix the two languages or use only English.
Jean-François Roberge, young people prefer English for their publications on social networks because they think they will have better visibility or reach a wider audience.
A young Quebecer who does not have global influence, but simply posts his weekend news on Facebook or Instagram, will use English. It would be a mistake to think that the story of my visit to Mount Royal will reach many more people! In fact, it is a kind of fashion! To bring back the pride of speaking French to each other.
Additionally, he notes that the use of French in businesses does not appear to be an issue for 18-34 year olds. Unlike older cohorts, a significant proportion of 18-34 year olds find service in French to be moderately or not very important.
Véronique Prince reports
Young people want to work in English
Minister Roberge says he is particularly concerned that a third of Quebecers between the ages of 18 and 34 say they want to work in a bilingual environment or in English only.
Surveys carried out in 2010 showed that fewer and fewer of these young workers mainly use French in the office (64%). In 2023, 58% work primarily in French, meaning they use French at least 90% of the time.
They have a Quebec identity and an attachment to the French language, but they have an openness to the world, and they tell themselves that the best way to be open is to speak English. We agree with that; We teach English in all our schools
Mr. Roberge points out.
The minister apparently wants employers to favor French. The reform of the French language obliges all SMEs Employees between 25 and 49 must go through the franchise process and registerOQLF.
Montreal and Gatineau in view of Quebec
Minister Roberge is particularly monitoring the situation in Montreal, where the share of people who mainly use French outside the home is very low, only 60%.
Although the number of adults who speak both languages or English in particular is a minority across Quebec (between 4 and 9%), this proportion is significantly higher in Montreal (32%) and Cateno (37%). , notes Jean-François Roberge.
Gatineau’s proximity to Ontario may be a deciding factor, but in the case of the metropolis, I will tell you that there is a lot of temporary immigration
Supporting the minister.
Quebec therefore reiterates its request to the central government to better distribute asylum seekers among other provinces. François Legault and Justin Trudeau also have until June 30 to discuss immigration issues.
The effects of the reform are still unknown
The government has yet to gauge all the effects of the recent reform of the French language charter. An action plan for the future of France was published only a month ago.
Law 101 applies to CEGEP this year for the first time. It does not apply in the same way as primary or secondary education, but before 2019, there was no mention of CEGEP in our French Language Charter. Now it has been identified. The number of students in the English-speaking network is limited; English-speaking CEGEPs have compulsory French courses and exams, and enrollments are limited. It builds and transforms the college network.
Regarding the possibility of further extending Bill 101 to CEGEP, as requested by the Parti Québécois, the Minister emphasizes: 1.”,”Text”:”From this we draw conclusions. We’ll see if we want to go later, but for now, this is year 1 of the application.”}}”>From this we will draw conclusions. We’ll see if we have to go later, but for now, this is year 1 of the application.
Report onceOQLF Submitted to the National Assembly, the French Language Commissioner will take note of it. He will prepare his own report within six months, in which he will present his analysis and recommendations for strengthening the French language. If we have to go further, let’s go further. Let’s do whatever it takes to reverse the decline
Mr. Roberge notes.
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