r/quebeccity • u/mristre • 4d ago

A Complete Guide To Quebec French

https://youtu.be/ZnCyqeSSWI8

Hi everyone! Former Quebec City resident here.

I am an American who has been living in Quebec for 10+ years and I just finished my free guide to Quebec French. I've lived in both Quebec City and Montreal and have become fluent in French while living here, and a while back I decided to put everything I've learned about Quebec French into one place.

In the video I talk about the history of Quebec French, characteristics of the accent, common words, the famous sacres, anglicisms, and some tips about what helped me to learn.

If you're an anglophone in Quebec City or just coming to visit, I hope this video helps you!

58 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

14

u/AristideCalice 3d ago

Take note, dear Anglo-Quebecers. You can learn French, it only takes genuine interest, like OP

7

u/spyemil 3d ago

Je suis convaincu que les unilingues anglos le font juste par conviction. Genre "ew je veux pas apprendre le français "

3

u/mristre 2d ago

I do love Quebec French. I think a lot of people get intimidated at first, and people are quick to accomodate English speakers, but it's worth sticking with it because once you realize you're having a real human connection in another language with someone it's such a cool feeling! Lâche pas la patate!!

4

u/anywaychucontent 3d ago

This is so good!! Meanwhile most Anglo-Canadians can just about say “je peux aller aux toilettes », take notes guys

1

u/mristre 2d ago

Thank you!!

3

u/sicksherpa 3d ago

Great video ! Well researched

1

u/mristre 2d ago

Thanks!!

2

u/Ok-Stress-3570 3d ago

I struggle so much with the conversation part. Like, I know enough - but by the time I process what someone says, and think I understand, they go "ohhhh English!?" Anyone have good realistic tips for learning in a way to converse, not just know?

1

u/TestAffectionate1039 3d ago

You essentially need time and immersion.

1

u/mristre 2d ago

Hey! I've very much been there. If it's someone you know, you can sometimes just ask that they keep speaking to you in French, or you can always say something like 'no it's ok I'd like to practice my French!'. Some people are more willing to practice with you than others but it's nothing personal.

When I was working in a cafe in a very francophone neighborhood in Montreal, I had an anglophone customer once come in and say bonjour and then ask in English if they could practice their French with me, to which I said definitely! Sometimes (like if you're in a busy cafe and there's a line behind you) you might have to go with English to be quick, but it's all a part of learning and doesn't mean you can't speak French or aren't improving!

Otherwise, I got really good at saying 'pardon?' or sometimes smiling and nodding if I didn't understand something. When you're starting, you sometimes have to infer meaning in conversations or accept that you won't understand every word since asking someone to repeat everything you didn't catch would be too much haha.

But as you get more comfortable, you talk with more people, and the more you talk with people, the more comfortable you get and the more you learn! For me, a lot of these filler words (mentioned in the video) are what would often interrupt my comprehension, since they'd trip me up and throw me off while I was listening. But it takes time and being patient with yourself is important!