The true enemy of the French language

The catastrophic decline of the French language in Quebec and Canada provokes various reactions that, in general, avoid pointing out the real culprit of this rapid Anglicization: the United States.

Many English Canadians observe with satisfaction the gradual disappearance of French in Quebec and Canada and, in general, are happy for anything that weakens Quebec.

But these people miss the crux of the matter: Canada has been Americanized. The alarm was sounded decades ago by writers like George Grant in his bestseller Lament for a nation.

Alberta, this Texas of Canada, has also become a center of Trumpism.

The voicing that attacks Canadian institutions is a pure product of American cultural imperialism.

Quebec, which with its French culture had long prevented Canada from fully Americanizing, is now closer to the United States.

A few examples illustrate this well.

Americanization of Quebec

The musical universe of young Quebecers is more composed of American singers than it was in the 70s or 80s.

Cultural references by hosts and columnists, especially on radio, in sports, culture or politics are predominantly American.

Books and scientific articles used in French-speaking universities are mostly in English.

Broadcast platforms such as Netflix or Disney Plus offer programming that is often culturally American and rarely dubbed in French.

American decline

Yet, paradoxically, American power is declining.

Moreover, French-speaking universities have never before awarded so many diplomas. Excellent foreign writers adopted Quebec as their homeland and wrote in French. International influences from all continents are also greater than before, in gastronomy, sport, music, etc.

But we keep leaning towards English.

English friendly policies

In Montreal and elsewhere, the massive immigration Quebec is experiencing is overwhelming young Quebecers in classes with students who are less proficient in French. French is generally taught more like a second language than a mother tongue.

The Quebec government will continue to speak only in English to Quebecers who request it.

Anglophone firms receive more money per capita than Francophone firms.

Possession

Some rightly point out that France’s loss of power and the Anglophilia of some French elites set a very poor example for the rest of the world.

They are right.

However, despite the limitations of the powers imposed by the Canadian Constitution, it is possible to regain control of our language.

We realize that the danger that awaits us is not English, but cultural Americanization.

Our elites set an example.

We understand very well the enormous advantage that French culture offers, among other things, when combined with other international cultures.

Unfortunately, this French culture that many envy us, we are replacing it with the superficial and cheap American culture.