Teach, Don't Preach !

Inscrit le : 11 Mar 2008 Messages : 68

Teach, don’t preach !!! --for french education by bilingual and francophone separtists

If we can demand of others to learn to French, we can demand of ourselves to teach it.
Separatists serious about protecting our language and culture must stop looking to the government to fix the problem. Each and every sovereignist is morally obligated to aid this preservation by teaching French, even if it’s only once a week at the kitchen table.
Independentists have different points of view, but they always agree on the need to preserve our language and culture. Many see the rise of allophones entering the province as a real threat, and many more view anglophones with suspicion, because few ever learn the language.

The government once again in their bureaucratic wisdom has failed Quebec. Sure they claim to offer French language classes. But the only free (or affordable) French language program is closed to everyone but immigrants demonstrating financial need. Furthermore, outside of the metropolises of Montreal and Québec city, these classes are virtually non-existent. The argument is that there are just not enough people, at the same level of study, coming into an area to organize a class. (Too bad they aren’t open Anglophones already in the community, or from other parts of Canada). The system that exists is grossly inadequate. And it has yet to be seen if new proposals for employer tax rebates (for French training programs) will have widespread availability, or be exclusive to large corporations.

We must not view the immigrant as the enemy; immigration is a lengthy bureaucratic nightmare. Migrants are all motivated to improve their situation, but they aren’t always aware of what resources are available, and given the length of the process, many sit in limbo ineligible for the programs that exist. He wants nothing, and maybe knows nothing of the political tension that Ottawa, does it’s best to internationally downplay or discredit. So instead of forcing him to choose sides, by our misplaced anger or suspicions, we should make every interaction count. When we encounter someone new to the community, or someone for example having trouble saying the name of a street: smile, welcome him, offer the correct pronunciation, and wish him a nice day.
It’s really hard for a newcomer to listen to the intolerant rhetoric of the Anglophone minority, when you make his francophone experience positive.

As a proud Québecois/e, we must act! Bi-lingualism is not the problem, it’s the Anglicisation to the determent of our French culture. And to count on the government, from whom we wish to separate, whom many view as oppressive, to spread our language and culture is ludicrous. Our strength is in our numbers, in our diligence, and everyone with a French education can teach another the language, from high school students to retirees. So, put up ads, on craigslist or at the supermarket, and meet at the library, Tim Horton’s or your home, it doesn’t really matter. It doesn’t have to be complicated; it just has to be done. And gradually, the word of mouth will be “Québeçois”.
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La connaissance conduit à l'unité comme l'ignorance mène à la diversité. [ Râmakrishna ]

Rien n'est plus dangeureux que lorsque l'ignorance et l'intolérance sont armés de pouvoir. [ Voltaire ]

L'ignorance ressemble à un appétit; comme nous pouvons nous remplir des tambouilles, nous pouvons renforcer le mensonge et le préjudice de la propagande; aucun ne nourrit - mais les deux laissent celui sentant gonflé.

Wise words, MJS.

That is indeed a very good way to promote the french language without having to wait for a new french-sensible government to seat again in the national assembly. Plus it's accessible to everyone. Too often people are not insisting on the importance of the national language when speaking with new commers. It happens here in Germany as well. I say don't try to look over-accomodating nor bite if they can't understand a word you babble. But show that french is important to you, and be ready to give some of your time as a proof of it.

(ahah, hilarious we're actually promoting french in english!)
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Inscrit le : 11 Mar 2008 Messages : 68