Disappearance of French in English Canada

Canada is one of the favorite tourist destinations of the French, but also a host country for many expatriates. More and more Canadians are against learning French. Why are they not interested in the language of Molière? And what future for French in Canada?

The current finding

English and French are the two official languages of Canada, according to the law that was passed in 1969 by the Parliament of Canada. Previously, bilingualism was very important. Yet despite this language legislation, English Canadians are less and less inclined to learn or speak French. In 2018, 10 million people said they could speak French, but this figure is constantly falling.

Learning a compulsory second language is already bothering them, and more and more people are wondering why it should be French. Some Canadians think it is unfair to learn French rather than another language. Even in Quebec, French is taking a back seat and losing its importance.

A phenomenon appears, that of the refusal to live in French. Using French for work is still acceptable, but once at home, the second official language takes over. French as a first mother tongue is also in decline.

What future for the French language in Canada?

Many studies show a deep divide between Canada’s two official communities.

The Quebec government wants to reintroduce French in small and medium-sized businesses in order to encourage Canadians to learn the language of Molière. This action plan would make it possible to preserve the French language while facilitating the job search for bilinguals. Anglophones and Francophones would find it easier to get a job.

It has to be said that French is gradually becoming, for Canadians, a working language rather than a language of the heart.