subject: The Benefits Of The Having Strong French Skills In Canada. Or Why Your Child Needs A French Tutor! [print this page] Distinguish Between Standard and Canadian French
They are different. French spoken in France uses different words and speech patterns than that spoken in Canada or, more specifically, Quebec. It has taken over 500 years for the French spoken in Quebec to evolve to its present form. The separation of an ocean between Canada and France means that one word means two different things in each country. Here is an example: mennuyer. In English, this means boring. The French believe this verb is outdated while the Canadian French still use it. For some French-speaking areas in Canada, the word means homesick. Do you see the difference?
When you start thinking of hiring a French tutor for your child, find one who teaches the French spoken in the Quebec province. Here is another linguistic example of the differences between Canadian French and French as it is spoken in France:
Avoir Literally, this means that it has already snowed today. Figuratively, it means something very different: to just fall off the turnip truck.
By now, you understand why it is so important to find a tutor who teaches the proper form of French for you and your child. If you hire one who is trained to teach French as it is spoken in France, you and your child will experience some odd looks and long pauses.
Learning the Basics
While it is important to learn the proper form of French, it is even more important to learn Canadian French. Several very common words between the two forms are said differently in the two countries.
Breakfast, lunch and supper in Canadian French are different from the words used in International French; Hi and bye have one meaning in Canada: salut. In International French, salut only means hi.
Further Language Distinctions
Canadian French is the official language of Canada and is called Royal French. Quebec has its own version of standard French.
Taking this even further, two Canadian linguistic forms Chiac and Joual are different from standard Canadian French. A third form Verlan is spoken in Canada, but not in France. Not every Canadian French speaker learns and speaks Joual French.
The Bottom Line
You want to be understood, and to understand others when you communicate with the Canadian French-speakers. For this reason, when you book a tutor to teach you and your child French, interview the tutor in detail and find out exactly what kind of French he will be teaching you. The conscientious tutor will take the time to teach you Canadian French, making it easier for you and your child to communicate with your friends and neighbors.
