My friend has relatives who are immigrating to Quebec.  His relatives say they have no obligation to learn the French language and have no plans to learn the language.\n\nShould immigrants (to any country or region) learn the local language and customs?
133320
You have no obligation to learn English of French I assume but wouldn't it make sense to make an effort? \n\nCanada has two official languages. It is not a bilingual country where population evenly speaks both languages. French is spoken in Quebec. Large pockets of english speakers exist in Montreal. Immigrants who only speak english usually live in those areas but why don't they go live elsewhere in CAnada if they are not interested in Quebec's culture?\n\nQuebec has a very different culture than the rest of Canada. It's French-speaking populion grew up with different cultural refences than English-Canadian or Americans. (Even though it truly offends English Canadians to be compared to Americans). Making an effort to understand it really pays off. Wouldn't it be better not to be confined to small neighborhoods on montreal?
574452
not just the Italians.  My Mum, 100% French Canadian, always uses her hands when she speaks.  FYI, if you grab their hands when they are talking, they stutter.
188768
NO ITS OK ...\n\ni was there once for one month (even i speak french )....and most they speak english ...so don't worry much ...\n\nbut why not u start to learn somthing about the french language b4 going there ..its cool to learn .... and thats 2 months it will be great for learn more about french language ....\n\n\ngood luck and good stay in FRANCE
141148
HELLLOOOOO??? Am I the only American answering this question??? I was born here and I have lived here my whole life and I ABSOLUTELY SHOULD NOT have to learn another language to communicate with people in MY OWN COUNTRY! If I moved to India or S. America or Mexico or whatever I would not expect people to learn English so I would feel at home and comfortable! I would not move there until I knew at least the minimum appropriate language to speak to the people of that land with respect. If you go to another country at least have respect enough for the people of that land to learn thier language...and maybe even a bit about thier history. I understand that people come here to get away from poverty and find a better life, I don't disagree with the USA giving that to them but as far as not being able to afford to learn English...that's a crock! It's spoken everday all day everywhere you go! Your kids go to school and learn and are taught in English.....learn from them! To say that someone is unqualified for a job because they only speak the language of the country in which they live speaks that is the dumbest and stuck - up thing I have ever heard!! Just like Gearge Carlin says..."If you are going to take my order of french fries and a double cheeseburger, do it in English" PERIOD! I am living proof of respect for people in those countries...just so you know I am not talking "out of the side of my neck" I was actually thinking about moving to Italy and in the process of researching that option I also looked up a few local places where I could take basic Italian. It's just respect for the country in which you live to learn the language....not ask the country to learn yours!!\n\n\nP.S.......blondie....a mispell does not mean that someone does not know english...and stereotyping is probably not in your best interest...I mean you are a blonde!!
154420
It was not our choice for them to come here, so why should it be our responsibility to accomodate them because they do not speak english. If you come to the US knowing that English is the primary language you should be prepared to learn it.
603928
Isn't it a personal choice? And anyway, If a person (immigrant or citizen) cannot communicate in the most common language of the country he resides in, who's at loss? Then why does one (who can communicate) make such a big deal if other person cannot communicate in national language (unless earlier is providing services to later).\n\nThe argument about immigration is not as much about a common language as it is about legal v/s illegal status. \n\nThat said, immigrants (as well as citizens) have to accept & respect the culture &  values of the country where they (with personal choice of their own) decide to reside (legally as well as illegally). And in my opinon that includes the national LANGUAGE as well. \nNo question about it.
577096
What type of studying are you talking about?  Like at a university?  I doubt it unless you have one hell of a scholarship.  And I've never heard of a scholarship that is given simply because you learn to speak French.  If you're going to France to study, I think it's kind of implied that you'd have to learn to speak French to do so.
218444
Absolutely! All immigrants should learn the local language and customs and obey their new country's laws. What people do in their own homes is their own business, but "when in Rome, do as the Romans do"
676713
Good God, NO! We'll take the sane English-speaking provinces, not the lunatic French one. Those people are insufferable and have nearly ruined Canada.\n\nI'm just trying to figure out why so many non-Quebecois want to keep those loonies as part of your country? I'd have let those deranged semi-frogs loose long ago.
640752
Part of the issue is ignorance, another part is ego-centrism.  People seem to always assume when they hear two people talking in another language that the speakers must be somehow talking about the non-speakers.\n\nAnother part is that many people here feel put off  and less 'superior' if there are people speaking other languages around them.  I speak three languages other than English.  I am a LEGAL immigrant.  I take every chance to speak any of my languages as a chance to share, develop and practice skills.\n\nIt also gives me an understanding of how people think from other cultures.  If you refuse to learn other languages/deal with non-English speakers, you limit yourself.\n\nEnglish, for the most part will always be 'under attack' and will also always be the common language in the US.  As new groups come here from other countries (not just South America and the Carribean) those languages will be heard as well.  Give the current group of immigrants two generations and let's see how many still can't speak English.
53817
I believe all should be done.  We are in a bilingual community, and I work with children, one of which is in Kindergarten right now.  They are taught to read in english in kindergarten, and to write so that they get the basics in their own language.  They are taught how to interact with each other, respect each other, share, and so on, and are still given lots of time to play.  Children are such sponges at this age for information, that I think it's great when they can be taught as much as they can.  In grade one they can take on French only classes for the rest of their school years {except for one English class a day}.  During this time they do all their classes in French, which is our second language, and learn all their subjects in French.  No English is allowed to be taught in the classrooms after the first few months of grade one.  By the time they graduate, even slow learners are bilingual.  Most are able to speak the language quite frequently by grad 6 or 8, but are completely bilingual by graduation.  I hope this helps.
300005
This is probably the most intelligent question I've seen on here all night. I agree with you. I'm a foreign language teacher and my take has always been that when you travel to another country you should at least pick up a little of the language to use with the locals. When you decide to LIVE in a country, you need to learn the language. Language and culture are so closely related that you can't fully assimilate unless you learn the language.
482858
Forced to?  If seeking British citizenship, or permanent residency, then it would be sensible to make having a reasonable degree of fluency compulsory.  If they are temporarily resident and have no intention of making this permanent, then I don't really see the long-term value.\n\nBut the responsibility should lie with the government to provide free appropriate language courses for those who wish to comply.\n\nAs someone who studied another language (French) at university (and German at A-Level), I am in favour of being able to communicate.  Doesn't mean that everyone will find it easy, but proper immersion into a culture and society should facilitate the learning process.
461426
Hi! I also live in Quebec, in a francophone city and French is my first language. First of all, as someone pointed, reading the dictionary won't help you learn the language. Have you considered taking private lessons? It really helps when someone only has to focus on your difficulties to make you progress. Watching television in French is also a good thing, though it might be frustrating not to understand what people say, at least you hear some French. From time to time, watch a movie in English subtitled in French, or the other way around. even a french movie with French subtitles is a good way to lear, you get to hear AND see! Look for language schools and conversation groups in the phone book. Oh, reading the paper could also be good. Eventually, you'll be able to recognized the most frequently used words.\nDo you live near Montreal? Quebec city?\nGo see web sites from universities around you, most of them have programs in French as a Second Language. Like http://www.fep.umontreal.ca/langues/eng/coursfrint.html\nAnd you can always try to look for the basics online!\nGood luck!
361951
It's pure semantics, while Quebec is not a nation within a united Canada it is not legally a nation.  Not even legally a nation within Canada.   What this effectively accomplished was giving Quebec a fancy title and a new distinction.\n\n\nEven as such I am offended that the government would bestow a higher status on some of it's citizen than others.   Creating a division in the country will only serve to offend most Canadians while pacifying a few.  \n\nI think we should all be a little upset that out government recognizes some it it's citizens as more unique or important than other.\n\nI have nothing against french Canadians,  they are a unique culture, just as the first nations, just as some east coast communities. Canada is full of varying cultures.   \n\nI also wonder how this applies to the french Canadian communities outside of Quebec.   There are many scattered throughout Canada, should they be granted nation status as well?\nShould they secede from their current province and join Quebec?\n\nHow will this be handled within Quebec's large anglophone community.   Is their status being diminished because they are not members of the french community?  Many have ancestry dating back to the inception of Quebec and Canada.  \n\nNot to mention First Nations persons.  Will they have diminished recognition withing Quebec regardless of them being unquestionably the first inhabitants of the land.  Also with them having a drastically unique and beautiful culture, will this make it difficult for them to carry on tradition and have recognition through the "nation" of Quebec?.    Is there room to celebrate other cultures within a Franco centric Quebec?\n\nI am a little troubled by how ill though out this bill was and what little time the government gave the Canadian population for voice their opinion on such an important matter.   Today I am one annoyed Canadian.
105426
Immigrants usually have to prove that they are educated enough  and with good job prospects in order to prove that they won't be a burden on the country's social services. Therefore, I find it difficult to believe that once they are approved, they would immediately be on welfare, etc. The only situation in which immigrants consume more social services relative to "regular citizens" is through the language learning services that Canada offers. \n\nI have found in my years as a volunteer in several "welfare-support" organizations, that the vast majority of people on welfare and other social programs are those who have parents on welfare. Thus, it appears that these programs do not work as they are intended -- help people get back on their feet -- but rather create a "welfare culture."\n\nIn Canada and the USA, it is very important that families stay together. This is clear because both countries make it very easy for the immediate families of a citizen to migrate (relative to other immigrants who have no relatives in the country). Therefore, I find it hard to believe that immigrants are sending "home" money since their families are likely taking advantage of this opportunity to move to the US or Canada.\n\nI am not sure what increases the crime rate. I suppose one could make an argument for poverty, but I believe that this is a less than popular viewpoint. I think crimes are related to a lack of values that parents fail to pass on to their children. However, this opinion is not based on any sort of empirical study.\n\nI think that Canada recognizes that immigrants make up a huge and important part of our culture. We treat our immigrants with respect, and indeed you will find our political landscape littered with people from around the world. Our Governor General came from Haiti (in the Caribbean), the wife of NDP party leader is a Chinese expat, our previous Energy minister is Indian (from India), etc. This reflects the fact that immigrants get a lot of help here in Canada in order to make it easier to call Canada their new home. We want immigrants to help Canada, but we understand that it is wrong for us to ask them to denounce their own. We have Caribana for people from the Caribbean, the CHIN festival for South Asians, and of course, Quebec celebrates their unique French Canadian culture everyday. By making Canada more like home, we help our immigrants to feel like they are building a new culture when they come here -- one that is part of a constantly evolving Canadian identity.
459752
I'm Canadian, and we seem to be taking a huge variety of immigrants.   Quebec of course chooses its own immigrants and wants them from francophone countries, mostly from former French colonies in Africa.\n\nI think immigrants from the U.S., the U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand should be favored because they can fit into our workforce very fast and our countries are closely related, so the standard xenophobic reasons for restricting immigration don't apply so much.