The catastrophic decline of the French language in Québec and Canada provokes various reactions that generally avoid pointing to the real culprit of this accelerated Anglicization: the United States.
Many English-Canadians watch with satisfaction the gradual disappearance of French in Quebec and Canada, and generally rejoice at anything that weakens Quebec.
But these people are missing the point: Canada is being Americanized. The alarm was sounded decades ago by authors such as George Grant in his bestseller Lament for a Nation.
Alberta, that Texas of Canada, has also become the home of Trumpism.
The wokism that is seeping into Canadian institutions is a pure product of American cultural imperialism.
Quebec, which long prevented Canada from fully Americanizing with its French culture, is now itself increasingly converging with the United States.
A few examples show this well.
Americanization of Quebec
The musical universe of young Quebecers is much more American singers than it was in the ’70s or ’80s.
The cultural references of anchors and columnists, especially on radio, are predominantly American, in sports, culture or politics.
Books and academic articles used in French-speaking universities are mostly in English.
Broadcasting platforms such as Netflix or Disney Plus offer programs that are mostly culturally American and rarely well dubbed in French.
American decline
But paradoxically, American power is in decline.
In addition, French-speaking universities have never awarded so many diplomas. Outstanding foreign writers have made Quebec their home and write in French. International influences from all continents are also more present than before, in gastronomy, sports, music, etc.
But we still prefer English.
English-friendly policy
In Montreal and elsewhere, the massive immigration Quebec faces is drowning young Quebecers in classes with students who barely speak French. To the point where general French classes are more like a second language than a mother tongue.
The Quebec government continues to speak English only to Quebecers who choose to do so.
Anglophone institutions receive more money per capita than francophone institutions.
Take over
Some will rightly point out that France’s loss of power and the Anglophilia of certain French elites are setting a very bad example for the rest of the world.
You’re right.
However, it is possible to take back control of our language, despite the limitations on powers imposed by the Canadian Constitution.
Provided we recognize that the danger that awaits us is not English as such, but cultural Americanization.
Provided our elites lead by example.
Provided we better understand the immense benefit that French culture offers, including when it blends with other international cultures.
Unfortunately, we are replacing this French culture, which is the envy of many, with a superficial and cheap American culture.
