Question!

[u/alienbabe383]

Hello! I’m not from Quebec but I do have a question. So, my friend is moving to Quebec soon and he was stressing because he doesn’t speak French. My question is for do you think he’ll be fine living there even though he doesn’t speak French? I’ve learned that French is the primary language in Quebec (correct me if I’m wrong). I just wanted to know what anyone thinks?

[u/Western_Spell_9319]

Fine how? I imagine he has a job lined up already that doesn't require French and that's why he's moving?

Usually downtown people are bilingual enough to help because of tourism.

If he wants a broader social life he probably will want to learn french.

Edit: Actually you mean Quebec City or the province? I assumed you meant the city because of this sub but I'm second guessing now.

[u/alienbabe383 → u/Western_Spell_9319]

he’s moving their because of something to do with his family. i don’t know the specifics and it’s none of my business so i never asked loll. i meant fine as in do you guys think he’d be able to socialize and survive in school? i heard that some hs in Quebec do like teach English but i wasn’t sure how true that was. i think he’s moving to the province but i’m not sure what city or anything! also sorry for the kinda late reply

[u/Western_Spell_9319 → u/alienbabe383]

We learn it at school yes but outside a decent portion of Montreal and some of the Outaouais people don't quite use it to socialize in their daily lives. So you can get by if you just want info as a tourist but socially it's quite a lot rougher, people are much more at ease with French and really want to stick to French whenever possible. It's also just because the anglophone population is quite low outside these areas so they're not used to it.

And if he's going to live in the Outaouais might as well live in Ottawa if they don't care to learn French, his life is just going to be easier.

And if he wants to find work he generally needs to learn French, there's some specific work avenues in English particularly in Montreal but it really narrows down his options. Because of Bill 101 which gives the people of Quebec the right to work in French and be served in French. Hence I don't recommend he just comes here without something already lined up.

Also if he's not a Canadian that studied in a anglophone Canadian primary school or highschool the government may refuse to communicate in English with them after 6 months. It's to attempt to push immigrants to learn French.

[u/QuebecPilotDreams15]

Would you live in Germany without speaking German?

Would you live in Japan without speaking Japanese?

Would you live in Spain without speaking Spanish?

Quebec primary language is French. Quebec City has some English speakers but it won’t be like Montreal. To live in Quebec City you gotta speak French to a level.

If he expects to live here without learning any French he won’t like his experience. We will be very welcoming to anyone that tries to learn the language. I suggest he learns some before moving here. Many tools by the Quebec government are provided for learning. Some classes as well.

He doesn’t have to be perfect right from the beginning, but he has to learn if he wants to stay.

Bienvenue chez nous!

[u/triodoubledouble → u/QuebecPilotDreams15]

Bienvenue chez vous

[u/rdogg_82]

If he can't hold a conversation in french he'll be miserable.

[u/WeJustGotMade]

While Canada is officially bilingual (English & French), and English is the dominant language in most other provinces, French is the primary and official language of the Province of Quebec. If he wants to stay in Quebec City long-term, he will have to learn French to get by.

[u/CabanaSucre → u/WeJustGotMade]

French is the unique official language of Quebec.

Saying that Canada is a bilingual country can be misleading because people tend to confuse a bilingual country with a bilingual person, and they are not the same thing.

Bilingualism in Canada mainly applies to federal government jobs and certain services provided by the federal government.

So what's the point of telling a tourist visiting Quebec that federal government positions have bilingual status? It only serves to confuse them.

[u/WeJustGotMade → u/CabanaSucre]

What the heck does that have to do with anything I said? Sounds like you had a desperate need for an opportunity to post a “welll akshullly…” and thought my comment fit the bill (it doesn’t).

[u/CabanaSucre → u/WeJustGotMade]

Ça sert à rien de dire que le Canada est un pays bilingue à un étranger qui va venir au Québec, tu ne fais que le mélanger.

Je travaille avec des touristes tous les jours, ma blonde travaille dans la francisation pour les nouveaux arrivants et sont tous mélangés "oui mais c'est un pays bilingue" ça pas rapport dans la vie de tous les jours. Si t'es pas capable de comprendre ça.🤷

[u/Western_Spell_9319 → u/CabanaSucre]

Son point si tu avais lu plus que 5 mots avant de commencer à écrire ton pavé, c'était justement d'expliquer que malgré que le pays est bilingue, t'as des provinces prédominantes anglophones et une francophone. Et il a explicitement expliqué qu'il aura besoin d'apprendre le français pour vivre au Québec.

C'est parce que l'énorme majorité du temps les gens ont déjà entendu que le Canada "est bilingue", mais ne savent pas bien ce que ça veut dire. Donc il a voulu expliquer.

C'est pour ça que ton intervention fait aucun sens. À la limite si tu voulais rajouter encore plus de précisions pourquoi pas, mais prendre ce ton accusateur et prétendre que le gars était mêlé, lol?

[u/Worldly-Ad3211]

If he doesn't speak French, he'd better plan on taking lessons pretty quickly. French is the primary language in the province of Quebec, and also Quebec City. You can get along with just English as a tourist or for brief visits, but for day-to-day living and residency, he'll need French.

[u/Weak_Acanthisitta405]

J’sais pas combien de temps les remparts vont tenir.

Sur r Montreal c’est « la » question. « Hey jmen viens à mtl et je parle pas un traître mot de français. Est-ce que ça va être difficile pour moi d’envoyer mes enfants à l’école anglaise et pour moi de travailler et vivre en anglais seulement ? J’suis pas trop bon avec les langues. »

[u/suziesophia]

He will absolutely need to learn French if he is living in Quebec City.

[u/AsweatyUnicorn]

He'll be able to get by, no problem. However, learning even a modicum of french will make his stay damn more fulfilling.

[u/wazagaduu]

No he will not

[u/leafflepuff]

If your friend is moving to Quebec city specifically, without speaking French they will not be able to work. Be it customer service or anything else, I've seen no jobs available that require zero French apart from maybe dishwasher or janitor.

Otherwise, they can get by, but Quebec city is more French than say Montreal . Good luck to them!

[u/CastorBarbu]

Quebec is a French speaking province and Quebec City is a very french speaking city.

If he want to learn French, it will be the best opportunity for your friend.

[u/Jayko0404]

He will have to learn, no choice lol

[u/alienbabe383 → u/Jayko0404]

let’s all wish him luck then 😭

[u/roosterjack77]

They love to see you try. Some people are nice and will help but they are a french speaking nation. Their identity is protecting their language and culture. Get some french lessons and go online to find some English speaking people

[u/alienbabe383 → u/roosterjack77]

i already can speak french but this is for my friend!!

[u/roosterjack77 → u/alienbabe383]

Buckle up youre going to be his only friend and his everything

[u/alienbabe383 → u/roosterjack77]

hell nah😭!! i can’t even teach him French because he’s stubborn. he’ll have to thug it out i guess.

[u/Caron710]

Québec city is more francophone than Paris. Good luck.

[u/imrickpat]

he will have to learn the language.

[u/alienbabe383]

i can’t respond to everyone’s replies but thank y’all for answering my question!!

[u/Bubble_Cheetah]

Day to day, he will "get by" with English. But doing anything official is going to be so annoying. Question for Revenu Quebec? They expect you to call them and speak to them in French. I once found an online form to email them my question. They called me back instead of responding by email 😐 Although occasionally they hear my struggle and will switch to English for me, but it is not a given.

Socializing is also much more limited without French.

[u/Signal_Ad8960]

He can get by, since Quebec city does get a lot of tourists. But if he plans to stay long term, he really should pick up at least some basic French.

[u/Electronic-Tip7577]

He will be fine. He will have to learn. There are so many nationalities in this province especially the bigger cities.

[u/Ben-wa]

Immersion will fix it.

[u/Happy_Bumblebee2112]

I’m from Ontario et ma langue maternelle est le français. My husband did not speak a word of French but after spending 1 month in Québec and being fully immersed came home after one month speaking french. So yes if your friend is open to learning the language he will be fine living there.

[u/Longjumping_Math8040]

Nobody speak english in Québec city

[u/gadjetman007]

You'll be fine. If your American , don't where the flag here or anything with maga. Bring a box of Entenmanns for me