Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Official bilingualism in Canada was a government policy introduced in the early 1970's. I mention this because some people assume that Canada, from its inception, always had two official languages and that French has seeped into all corners of the country. The reality is that, unless you head to Quebec (Ottawa, or New Brunnswick), English is the major language spoken. In the west, this is even more the case as Vancouver never had a history of French speakers; the area was colonized by the British and the pioneers that moved here were from English-speaking Europe (Scotland, England predominantly), China, Japan, and India. Anybody that speaks French in Vancouver moved here from Quebec, France, or other French speaking countries. They're in the rare minority. There's probably equal amounts of people speaking French in Vancouver as there are wherever you live, especially if you live close to Vancouver.
If the USA made Spanish its secondary official language today, it wouldn't mean that Seattle would automatically become a better place to learn Spanish. You'd still want to head to Arizona, New Mexico, or San Diego.
Last edited by Robynator; 08-29-2012 at 04:23 PM..
Official bilingualism in Canada was a government policy introduced in the early 1970's. I mention this because some people assume that Canada, from its inception, always had two official languages and that French has seeped into all corners of the country. The reality is that, unless you head to Quebec (Ottawa, or New Brunnswick), English is the major language spoken. In the west, this is even more the case as Vancouver never had a history of French speakers; the area was colonized by the British and the pioneers that moved here were from English-speaking Europe (Scotland, England predominantly), China, Japan, and India. Anybody that speaks French in Vancouver moved here from Quebec, France, or other French speaking countries. They're in the rare minority. There's probably equal amounts of people speaking French in Vancouver as there are wherever you live, especially if you live close to Vancouver.
If the USA made Spanish its secondary official language today, it wouldn't mean that Seattle would automatically become a better place to learn Spanish. You'd still want to head to Arizona, New Mexico, or San Diego.
What is said here is very true, and certainly in BC there is no real historical French presence. That said, in much of Canada including parts of the West the French presence would be a lot stronger today had anglo-hegemonic policies not been put in place with measures such as banning teaching in French in French Canadian communities, switching over French hospitals and colleges to English, etc.
Manitoba in the 1870s was actually a majority French-speaking province, for example. Also, I believe the oldest hospital in Calgary is called the Holy Cross. It used to be called Hôpital Sainte-Croix. Founded by guess who?
So I don't think that the Prairies would be mainly French today had none of this deliberate assimilation not occurred, but certainly they would have much larger and vibrant francophone communities than they do today.
Location: Moose Jaw, in between the Moose's butt and nose.
5,152 posts, read 8,530,192 times
Reputation: 2038
If Montreal is too far for the OP and he wants to learn French, well, even though it's still a small French population, Winnipeg would be a better bet for that, than Vancouver is.
I actually believe that Vancouver might now have more francophones in sheer numbers than Winnipeg does. Of course, Winnipeg's community is more organized, established and cohesive it is true.
In the interest of the discussion, I was going to make a list of what is actually available in French in Vancouver:
- a local community that as others have mentioned that is in the 30,000-40,000 range
- in addition to the local francophones, Vancouver also has 125,000 people who are not francophones (mostly anglos) but who can speak French
- as has been said, Canada is federally bilingual which means federal government documents and forms are available in French, as are some services; at the provincial and municipal levels stuff French is quite rare though
- several public libraries would likely have a small section with books in French
- all consumer products would have bilingual labelling in English and French as per federal laws
- many DVDs you rent or buy would have the option of the French soundtrack
- depending on your cable package you would have 2 or 3 TV stations in French, you can probably get a whole lot more if you subscribe to a satellite service and choose a francophone package as there are tons of channels available out there
- 2 or 3 local radio stations broadcast in French; again, via satellite on a stereo or on your TV you can probably get a whole lot more
- if you have kids there is a small French-first school system, and the main English school system also offers French immersion within some of its schools
- the existence of the francophone community means that you get francophone artists who occasionally visit BC to give shows in Vancouver (you have to keep an eye open for them, although the French media will promote them heavily), and also there will be festivals and other events for the francophone community organized every year.
Vancouver is in British Columbia, and you are more apt to use your acquired language skills further east, where the French were more active, historically. Of course, Quebec is the French province, but I am certain there are others.
That said, Vancouver is a marvelously diverse city and you could probably find, or form a group of French-speaking individuals and make a lot of great new friends, besides practicing your French.
Official bilingualism in Canada was a government policy introduced in the early 1970's. I mention this because some people assume that Canada, from its inception, always had two official languages and that French has seeped into all corners of the country. The reality is that, unless you head to Quebec (Ottawa, or New Brunnswick), English is the major language spoken. In the west, this is even more the case as Vancouver never had a history of French speakers; the area was colonized by the British and the pioneers that moved here were from English-speaking Europe (Scotland, England predominantly), China, Japan, and India. Anybody that speaks French in Vancouver moved here from Quebec, France, or other French speaking countries. They're in the rare minority. There's probably equal amounts of people speaking French in Vancouver as there are wherever you live, especially if you live close to Vancouver. www.thevancitypack.com vancouver dog walkers Precision Painting - Vancouver House Painters Vancouver house painters
If the USA made Spanish its secondary official language today, it wouldn't mean that Seattle would automatically become a better place to learn Spanish. You'd still want to head to Arizona, New Mexico, or San Diego.
Yes excatly, if their were to be a official second language in Vancouver it most likely would NOT be french. The Chinese language is almost as dominant as ENGLISH here in Vancouver/Hongcouver.
Just to show how little french is here in my home city!
I am a US college student majoring in French. I want to move to Montreal because I want to maintain fluency in the language, but it looks like Vancouver might be a more realistic goal for me right now. From my understanding, Vancouver is not the mecca of French Canada, but that there are some speakers.
It's not entirely true. BC has SOME French heritage. Maillardville in Coquitlam was French and 8% of British Columbians report their ancestry as French. But yes, it's probably the least French part of Canada, aside from Nunavut.
It's not entirely true. BC has SOME French heritage. Maillardville in Coquitlam was French and 8% of British Columbians report their ancestry as French. But yes, it's probably the least French part of Canada, aside from Nunavut.
Just to show how little french is here in my home city!
Sounds like a mark of pride!
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
