I’m not only sexy because a very big fan is blowing my hair all around, I’m also sexy because I learned French in Montréal.
There are lots of reasons to learn to speak like the Québécois. Here are just five.
1. It’s delicious
You have to admit there’s something cool about learning to speak in a way that’s different to the larger majority of French speakers in the world. The farther you go into the québécois variety, the more you discover that there’s a deliciousness about it that makes you keep coming back for more. It’s kind of like the difference between Apple and Dell.
2. Endear yourself to the Québécois
You’ll endear yourself to the Québécois, who’ll take pleasure in hearing you use a typically québécois word or expression. It sends the message that you’ve made Québec your home, or that the French of Québec is your point of reference, or that you simply like the Québécois. Don’t go overboard with the accent and expressions though, trying to be ultra-québécois! Just be yourself.
3. Rise above the nonsense
Have you ever been told that the French of Québec isn’t real French, maybe even by a school teacher? Some people who have difficulty understanding the Québécois cover up their anxiety about it by denigrating it. By learning the French of Québec, you rise above this nonsense and aren’t held back by other people’s limitations.
4. Dazzle the French
Travel to France and people will be intensely curious about you and your accent! You’ll be asked all kinds of questions, like where you’re from and where you learned French. If your accent is a blended one, like québécois plus the accent associated with your native language, then you’re even more exotic and sexy to the French.
5. Because the sky’s the limit
The French of Québec has loads of different vowel sounds in it. It isn’t necessary to reproduce all of them exactly to make yourself understood. But if you do manage to master the entire québécois vowel system, there’s not much else stopping you in life!
Dead on! Why come to Quebec and lock yourself out of this wonderful culture?
A very short, depth less but nonetheless interesting read.
Too bad bullet point 3 is a load of nonsense (to stay polite).
“Some people who have difficulty understanding the Québécois cover up their anxiety about it by denigrating it”.
Anxiety? Really? Are you some kind of qualified therapist to ascertain such idiotic arguments? Sure, Quebecois (and not “the” Quebecois) would never be taught in France – but there is no such thing as “real french”. You need to distinguish between Quebec French and France French (or Belgian French and the list goes on) – just as there is US English and UK English. Would you say US english is false English? Just learn the language used where you want to stay/live/spend some time in. Sure, when you’ll go to France or some other place, some people might comment on the accent – but most of the time people will enjoy an original and interesting accent and there starts the opportunity to practice further your skills!
Sorry, Anon, I agree with Felix! I’m on a couple of forums to get help with phrases — almost no Quebecois are on these and I’ve heard some little digs if I ask for the “Quebecois way of saying that”. Even a fairly major player who has a well-visited site which teaches French has done this.
The only way people could be more dismissive is if I ask about Cajun French. Trust me, I know.