Bilingualism- Article from the Montreal Gazette, July 9, 2009

[Marianopolita]

Here is a brief but interesting article about bilingualism posted in yesterday’s Montreal Gazette (BTW- this is a long standing and the only English newspaper in Quebec, a French-speaking province).

For those of you from Montreal or who live in Montreal we know it. Bilingualism and/ or trilingualism are the norm around here. Some of us from day one have been speaking two or three languages without even thinking twice about it (no pun intended). Our environment demands bilingualism (at least in the city of Montreal) plus most of have us have a heritage language which makes a considerable number of the population of Montrealers trilingual. I once read a statistic that Montreal is the largest trilingual city in the world. And a recent article also in the Gazette posted a few days ago reveals that Montreal has more allophones than francophone speakers which is a concern for the French language 'watchers' because the numbers of French speakers has actually decreased since the beginning of the decade. Therefore, once again the language pot has begun to stir in the province. There has been an article about language in the Gazette every week for the past few weeks.

For those who question bilingualism, its pros and cons at an early age, this may help frame your thought a bit about the ability of a bilingual vs. a unilingual child and their skills to learn and speak a language. In general, Canada is a pro multilingualism country. In its two largest cities Toronto and Montreal respectively, you will hear an array of languages on a daily basis. I also tell people who visit for the first time 'if you have not heard xxx language in TO and MTL you will not hear it'. Yes, these two cities are that diverse. In Montreal a part from the French and English bilingualism, Arabic and Spanish are two very strong languages. Haitian creole as well cannot be overlooked since Montreal has the third largest Haitian-speaking population outside of Haiti. Toronto does not have as many French speakers; actually a very small population but Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Mandarin and various Indian languages equally compete and are heard daily in the city.

Here is the article: Bilingual kids are more efficient learners: study

Here are some Canadian linguistic definitions that are worthy to note from the Canadian bilingualism dictionary and other sources:

1/ allophone: In Canada, allophone means a person whose first language is neither of Canada's official languages of English and French.

2/ Mother tongue: Definition: Mother tongue is the first language a person learns to speak. ...

-just to add to this if a child learns Spanish in the home first, that’s considered their mother tongue even if s/he was born in Montreal, Toronto etc. in other words Canada. This issue comes up when deciding what school your child will attend etc. However, children of immigrants in Montreal go to French school. That’s the standard.

3/ Francophone: Definition: In general in Canada the word francophone means a French-speaking person. ...

canadian bilingualism glossary - About.com : Canada Online

4/ bilingualism: 1/ the ability to speak two languages 2/ the frequent use (as by a community) of two languages 3/ the political or institutional recognition of two languages


source: Merriam Webster dictionary


-Marianopolita

[suarezn]

I just visited Montreal last weekend for the first time in my life and while I was expecting to find many people unable or unwilling to speak English I didn't find one lace where they didn't speak both languages and many places with Spanish as well.

I couldn't see why anyone would argue against multilingualism except for those case of people where they are afraid of seeing their own language disappear. Even then it is obvious that there are plenty of benefits of speaking more than one language.

[À bientôt]

I'm on my sixth language: I gave up on the other five.

[Alyonka]

It is a very interesting article. Thanks! I used to work for an organization where most people spoke at least 2-3 languages fluently. I don't find anything unusual about it. I tried learning language of each office I worked in, so that I understand what people around me are talking about, and eventually it became too much.

A lot of people from Western Europe speak at least German, English and French. Once you learn one foreign language - it becomes much easier to figure out another one. Most languages are related. Just like beats and patterns in music.

[El_Uruguayo]

Bilingualism is great, except when it is wrongly set as a prequesite for a job, where really the 2nd language is not needed that much. Ok, I am a little bias, I'm waiting for french language testing results for a government job in Canada. In fact I do speak 4, but written is a different story. My english, spanish, even italian are all fine, but french, that is one that needs maintenance, you can't drop it for a few years and pick it up again and expect to be a decent writer.

[Marianopolita]

Originally Posted by suarezn

I just visited Montreal last weekend for the first time in my life and while I was expecting to find many people unable or unwilling to speak English I didn't find one lace where they didn't speak both languages and many places with Spanish as well.

I couldn't see why anyone would argue against multilingualism except for those case of people where they are afraid of seeing their own language disappear. Even then it is obvious that there are plenty of benefits of speaking more than one language.

I am glad English was not an issue for you in Montreal. In general, it's not a problem especially in professional establishments but I have heard stories and seen situations where people refused to speak English and when that happens I usually offer help in English or Spanish whatever language is in question. I think that it's bad for tourism if a foreigner only speaks English and then runs into the 'no English' mentality. That's usually in the suburbs and believe me Quebec City is a different story. Don't expect any bilingualism there. It's French all the way.

Apart from that Montreal is quite the cosmopolitan city with a great history and foreigners especially Europeans knew Montreal long before Toronto became an icon city. They are both cosmopolitan, multicultural and multilingual. However, very different but a lot to offer. Spanish is a good language to speak in both and I think it will only be fortified in years to come.

Two great cities IMO. Celebrate bilingualism in Montreal.

Originally Posted by Alyonka

It is a very interesting article. Thanks! I used to work for an organization where most people spoke at least 2-3 languages fluently. I don't find anything unusual about it. I tried learning language of each office I worked in, so that I understand what people around me are talking about, and eventually it became too much.

A lot of people from Western Europe speak at least German, English and French. Once you learn one foreign language - it becomes much easier to figure out another one. Most languages are related. Just like beats and patterns in music.

I agree with you about speaking 2-3 languages being very normal. Europeans are prime examples and I think Canada as well is a country that can be included in the mix. The openness to foreign languages is evident and many people speak at least two languages. Nothing strange about this concept in Montreal and Toronto. I think a minimum of two is good for your brain. Trying to learn too many and not mastering them defeats the purpose IMO.

Originally Posted by El_Uruguayo

Bilingualism is great, except when it is wrongly set as a prequesite for a job, where really the 2nd language is not needed that much. Ok, I am a little bias, I'm waiting for french language testing results for a government job in Canada. In fact I do speak 4, but written is a different story. My english, spanish, even italian are all fine, but french, that is one that needs maintenance, you can't drop it for a few years and pick it up again and expect to be a decent writer.

You are in Ottawa if I recall and you will not get away from the English/ French bilingualism there. It's just like being in Montreal. Ottawa is a true bilingual city in my opinion. Not only because it's the capital of Canada, it's so close to Gatineau and surrounding area and many Montrealers live there so French is really a necessity in my opinion. Maybe to a lesser degree in some jobs but it's necessary.

Speaking and writing a language are two totally different concepts. You will hear many bilingual speakers say, 'I can speak Italian but I can't write it or I speak Spanish but I can't write it'. That's because writing requires sound knowledge of spelling, grammar and grammar control and one's errors are evident and easily noticeable in writing. Even the person who tries to write and cannot senses their own inability. In general, speaking requires quick communication to get your point across and people in general are not focusing on grammatical errors although they are evident. Writing requires studying the language and depending on one's bilingual environment they may not have had the opportunity to study the language or are simply not interested in learning.


-Marianopolita.

[pedrochemical]

I have a young daughter (3 months) who is spoken to by me in English, by her mother in Creole, she hears me and her mum communicate in French and she lives around Spanish speaking people.
Is this going to be a problem?
At the moment she seems to think,"goog eegy ooog gooooble ggggeeee!"
I figured out that this means "I am going to vomit on your new shirt just as you leave for work." But I am not sure which language it was.

Seriously though, have people had experience of multiple languages in the home whilst growing up and can this cause comprehension / confidence problems?
I know everybody manages to learn to talk eventually, but could this retard her educational development at a critical stage while she is figuring out that she speaks 4 languages?

How do expats with kids deal with this?

[À bientôt]

Originally Posted by Marianopolita

I agree with you about speaking 2-3 languages being very normal. Europeans are prime examples and I think Canada as well is a country that can be included in the mix. The openness to foreign languages is evident and many people speak at least two languages. Nothing strange about this concept in Montreal and Toronto. I think a minimum of two is good for your brain. Trying to learn too many and not mastering them defeats the purpose IMO.

-Marianopolita.

OK, I get it.

Two languages: bilingual
Three languages: trilingual
And ONE language? American

But seriously now: I've read somewhere that being truly bilingual means you also dream in both languages. I dream in jerga occasionally.

[La Mariposa]

Originally Posted by Marianopolita

I am glad English was not an issue for you in Montreal. In general, it's not a problem especially in professional establishments but I have heard stories and seen situations where people refused to speak English and when that happens I usually offer help in English or Spanish whatever language is in question. I think that it's bad for tourism if a foreigner only speaks English and then runs into the 'no English' mentality. That's usually in the suburbs and believe me Quebec City is a different story. Don't expect any bilingualism there. It's French all the way.

Apart from that Montreal is quite the cosmopolitan city with a great history and foreigners especially Europeans knew Montreal long before Toronto became an icon city. They are both cosmopolitan, multicultural and multilingual. However, very different but a lot to offer. Spanish is a good language to speak in both and I think it will only be fortified in years to come.

Two great cities IMO. Celebrate bilingualism in Montreal.







I agree with you about speaking 2-3 languages being very normal. Europeans are prime examples and I think Canada as well is a country that can be included in the mix. The openness to foreign languages is evident and many people speak at least two languages. Nothing strange about this concept in Montreal and Toronto. I think a minimum of two is good for your brain. Trying to learn too many and not mastering them defeats the purpose IMO.





You are in Ottawa if I recall and you will not get away from the English/ French bilingualism there. It's just like being in Montreal. Ottawa is a true bilingual city in my opinion. Not only because it's the capital of Canada, it's so close to Gatineau and surrounding area and many Montrealers live there so French is really a necessity in my opinion. Maybe to a lesser degree in some jobs but it's necessary.

Speaking and writing a language are two totally different concepts. You will hear many bilingual speakers say, 'I can speak Italian but I can't write it or I speak Spanish but I can't write it'. That's because writing requires sound knowledge of spelling, grammar and grammar control and one's errors are evident and easily noticeable in writing. Even the person who tries to write and cannot senses their own inability. In general, speaking requires quick communication to get your point across and people in general are not focusing on grammatical errors although they are evident. Writing requires studying the language and depending on one's bilingual environment they may not have had the opportunity to study the language or are simply not interested in learning.


-Marianopolita.

I am from Québec City, borned and raised there and now living in Montréal.
In Québec City, restaurants, tiendas, colmados, shopping centers..., you will be served in English even if they are not fluent in English. In Montréal !!! if they decide not to speak English (even if they are fluent), well The Hell with you they won't speak English.

[Marianopolita]

Originally Posted by pedrochemical

...Seriously though, have people had experience of multiple languages in the home whilst growing up and can this cause comprehension / confidence problems?
I know everybody manages to learn to talk eventually, but could this retard her educational development at a critical stage while she is figuring out that she speaks 4 languages?

How do expats with kids deal with this?

This was previously discussed in a thread earlier this year.

Are you teaching your kids Spanish?

Originally Posted by À bientôt

...
But seriously now: I've read somewhere that being truly bilingual means you also dream in both languages. I dream in jerga occasionally.

Yes, I heard the same thing and I believe it's true via my own experiences. The brain has a tremendous ability to compartmentalize.

Originally Posted by La Mariposa

I am from Québec City, borned and raised there and now living in Montréal.
In Québec City, restaurants, tiendas, colmados, shopping centers..., you will be served in English even if they are not fluent in English. In Montréal !!! if they decide not to speak English (even if they are fluent), well The Hell with you they won't speak English.

I know you are from Quebec City. You may want to review PMs we have exchanged in the past. I think you missed the point I was emphasizing or maybe I was not clear. My reference to Quebec City is in comparison and that it is not as bilingual as Montreal. It does not mean English will not be heard at all. French is certainly predominant there. I have heard good and bad experiences from tourists who have been to both cities. These are not my personal experiences as a Montrealer but it does not impede me from making keen observations.

However, please let's remain focused on bilingualism and its benefits to learning as per the article.


-Marianopolita.