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July 22, 2007
Parlez-vous français?
**MASON ENTRY**
I'm sitting on VIA Rail right now headed back home to Toronto after spending a few days in Montreal for a client trip to experience Just for Laughs Festival. Spent some great time with our clients who turned out to be a ton of fun. They all got to experience "The Mason" Byrne complete with me handing out autographs to complete strangers in line ups. Then the night ended with my autographing one of our client's TaTas and in turn, she signed my right ass cheek - while waiting in line in front of a hundred or so people. It was pretty damn fun.
But the most interesting part of this visit for me is the incredible influence of French in Montreal. When I visited a few years ago for the Black and Blue Festival, I was aware of all the French, but now being a resident of Canada it's been interesting experiencing it now - especially since while we're exposed to French in Toronto and Canada as a whole, it always seems like one of those odd requirements that doesn't make sense, but rather just part of inclusion. Then visit Quebec. It's not even inclusionary, it's truly a way of life.
You always hear that you don't need to speak/understand French to visit and while that's true, I can certainly see how important it is to those that live and work in the province. While English and French are the two languages of Canada, if you just materialized in Montreal, you would be hard-pressed to find any English. Subway signs, printed materials, advertising and most television stations are all in French. In fact, looking for English subway directions, etc. was fruitless.
I felt my "Americanism" start to surface as I was getting frustrated at times trying to deal with the French, but then when I took a deep breath the realization overwhelmed me that I live in a multi-language country and felt so BIG - so intense and I was a very proud Canadian. Outside of the separatist thoughts and emotions, I really felt that Quebec is just another element that makes Canada the wonderful and diverse place it is and makes it so great.
I remember during my first visit dealing with not only being in another country, with a "foreign" language, but also this "funny money" that included one and two dollar coins. This trip was different - as I pulled out my red fives and green twenties and fiddled through Loonies and Toonies on this trip, it was that subtie reminder that, yeah - while I'm hearing and reading French everywhere, I am still in my own country.
Thank you Montreal for solidifying my belief that moving here was the right move and to the right country. In true Quebecois attitude, I'm sure you probably don't care, (but deep down, I know you do - I won't tell anyone!) :-)
I know it's probably going to be an effort in futility, but I think I was to at least attempt to learn some basic French. There was one interesting moment at the greasy, Greek diner Saturday morning when I did my best to order in French "Omellette su bacon n' frommage," but then said "ephadiso" Σας ευχαριστούμε (thank you in Greek) to the waiter! I felt so grown up.
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Comments
Ah, Montreal . . . One of my favourite cities! Your multi-lingual abilities is impressive, Mason!
Posted by: West End Bound at July 22, 2007 04:37 PM
Yes, I had a great time in Montreal last summer! It's a terrific place. BTW, did you know that New Brunswick is the only officially bilingual province? Although official signage is bilingual throughout the province, the Anglophone and Francophone regions are really obvious. While in Shediac servers, at least where we ate, spoke French first and you hear French a lot. Over in Fredericton, however, English dominates. I love Canada! J'aime le Canada!
Posted by: Melissa at July 23, 2007 12:06 PM
I've always loved Montreal, but visiting it now that we live in Canada is such a trip! I can never quite get over that it only feels like a different country, but is still Canada. It's beautiful. Glad you had a great trip.
Posted by: L-girl at July 29, 2007 06:47 PM
