la nation Québécoise
Now that I’ve posted my interview with Bernard Landry, I think the time is right to revisit the whole topic of la nation Québécoise. A number of other blogs have been reacting to and debating the stance that Michael Igniatief and other Liberal leadership candidates have taken concerning the possible recognition of Quebec as a nation or distinct society. This is not a political blog. Never has been. But since I live in Quebec right now, I thought I would weigh in.
A nation is a group of people that share a common language, history and typically the same geographic space. This history and language, as well as cultural elements, like art, music, and pastimes, contribute to a sense of identity. There’s a feeling of connection between members of this nation… one can relate to other members of it. So in this way, Quebec is most certainly a nation. Now I won’t go so far as to say they’re more unique than other provinces and territories, but I can see how they could feel like less and less a part of Canada.
If we look back on some of the major events in this country’s history, we see there’s a pretty major difference in perceptions between the Anglophones and the Francophones. In both world wars, Quebec staunchly opposed conscription, having no interest in fighting what they considered to be a British war. During the FLQ crisis in the 1970s, the rest of Canada cheered Trudeau’s use of the War Measures Act to stop the terrorists, but mention of that still elicits strong feelings of betrayal amongst les Montréalais who were around at that time. Though we collectively experienced the same events, the perceptions were significantly different.
On a cultural level, we only seem to recognize the Quebecois in athletics, but there’s a very definite star system here. When Bon Cop, Bad Cop was released in English Canada, I can guarantee you that the principle star (and writer), Patrick Huard, was a complete unknown. But here in Quebec, he wouldn’t have been able to walk down the street without being hounded for autographs every 10 meters. There’s something wrong with this picture, isn’t there? Quebecois cultural offerings are largely ignored until they, inevitably, end up being recognized on the world stage through Academy Award nominations or something like that. Then we seem to rediscover our “Canadian pride” and pound our chests at how creative and funny “we” are.
English Canada ignores Quebecois culture because it can’t understand the language and can’t relate to it. But in my opinion, this is a conscious choice on our parts. I know several parents in my hometown of London, Ontario who have decided against putting their children into French immersion programs. Why? Because they can’t see it actually being useful long-term. And perhaps they have a point.
The thing that frustrates me to no end is the dismissive attitude Anglophones seem to have towards learning French. I don’t believe it’s possible to create a fully bilingual nation, but I don’t think it’s too much to ask for people to open their minds to our own history and culture. Francophones have contributed to making this country what it is (good and bad) and I believe it’s about time they get recognized for it.
Bernard Landry told me that independence was a matter of dignity and I’m starting to see his point. If we truly consider the Quebecois a valuable part of Canada, then we should acknowledge them for what they bring to the table. Otherwise, we may as well just let them go. Til next time…
Labels: la nation quebecoise, Quebec
posted by Al B Here @ 2:17 PM
18 comments
18 Comments:
"A nation is a group of people that share a common language, history and typically the same geographic space."
So by your definition, Compton would be a nation, a hip hop nation. Church.
hey, if the baggy trousers and sideways ballcap fit, then wear it. :-P
"in world wars, Quebec staunchly opposed conscription"
They refused to go to war more than just in the last 2 world wars. The Québécois are profoundly opposed to war. Maybe not that much they are pacifists than they are profoundly humanists and value that a man should have the choice to go to war or not. Maybe because the fights they won had no meaning in the peace negociation between the old France and UK and they was abandoned by France. Québec was a land of liberty and Québécois from the beginning and many admired the indians for that.
"English Canada ignores Quebecois culture because it can’t understand the language..."
If you define ignore as a failure to acknowledge, how can one ignore something they can't understand? There must be some notion of understanding first should there not? I hope you'll consider my point carefullee.
"If you define ignore as a failure to acknowledge, how can one ignore something they can't understand?"
By tuning it out completely and deciding not to make any effort to understand.
The only way to do so would be to know French in which case you've already shown some form of appreciation or to be learning French. Are you saying that anyone not fluent in French and not attempting to become fluent in French is responsible for the problems in Quebec?
No, I'm not. However, I do believe that dismissive attitudes contribute to the problem. They want to be recognized for who they are and, for the most part, we don't bother.
We don't bother? Let's take a closer look. What are the main reasons fancophones learn English? What are the main reasons anglophones not living in Quebec learn French?
Survival.
For both? There are far more tangible benefits for francophones to learn English than anglophone Canadians outside of Quebec to learn French. In spite of this, thousands of anglophones across Canada make some type of effort to learn French. I would say that that is a rather nice tribute. It's unfortunate many in Quebec aren't even willing to acknowledge the gesture.
There's where you're blowing Anglophone efforts out of proportion. In the Ontario school systems, French is a requirement for the OSSD and is often dropped after grade 9. I imagine they've adjusted the curriculum since either of us were that age, but I recall having a very limited vocabulary and nearly non-existant knowledge of verb tenses. And I most certainly wasn't able to express myself in French.
I agree that the effort shown through immersion programs should be acknowledged, but the fact remains that Quebecois are forced to use another language the moment they cross the provincial border. The same can be said of those travelling to Quebec, of course, but the fact remains that we can communicate very well in each of the other provinces (yes, I'll even include Newfoundland in that list).
I believe the word I used was "gesture." In no way did I imply any degree of fluency. However, an attempt is made to expose people French. I won't speak to your academic record in earlier days, but maybe the lack of opportunity to practice the language in everday life was the reason you felt your French skills were deficient. Even living in Montreal, you have said that you have to make an effort to stay up on your language skills. I'm assuming you meant your French skills when you said it.
My message is that there is a portion of Quebec that is simply manufacturing excuses to promote their own separatist agenda.
I don't doubt that there are agendas, but when I discuss this topic, the views of politicians are on the backburner. I think more of the people from Trois-Pistoles and what they've expressed to me about how they feel.
Good point, but how much of their argument is based on emotion rather than reason?
You aren't such a P. Lee after all. Psych.
Here's an observation: I suspect that if Quebec ever separated, contrary to Al's assertion that it's not possible, they may well find themselves as a bilingual state. Would that be ironic, or an asset?
I think it's about a lot more than language. We learn French in school but are always told that Canada is this big happy country where lots of different cultures live harmoniously together, including the French. If we're going to talk education, the schools should make an effort to show how learning French opens you up to this whole other culture - show some Quebec cinema, artists, music. All I learned about Quebec in my French immersion program was how the roof of the Chateau Frontenac is green because of oxidization and a few other touristy things. But really, that is so boring! Most of us were just there because we were nerds and the opportunity to learn another language was just too cool to pass up or else figured it might come in handy if we wanted to work for the government or something.
"A nation is a group of people that share a common language, history and typically the same geographic space."
Come to think of it, your definition of nation would also classify those that have done Paris Hilton as a nation. By now, it wouldn't even be the smallest nation in the world.
The thing is, they may already identify themselves as members of a larger nation... I would prefer to think of Paris' ever-growing list of party-favours as more a multinational conglomerate.
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