Quebec Studies

Language Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Québec Among Canadian University Students

Quebec Studies (2009), 47, (1), 73–94.

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3828/qs.47.1.73
Language
English
Pages
22

Abstract

73 Language Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Québec Among Canadian University Students Scott Piroth, Bowling Green State University David Jackson, Bowling Green State University 1 This article explores factors that structure attitudes toward Q u é b e c in the rest of C a n a d a ( R O C ) using a survey conducted in 2004 of college students at English-language universities across the country. Public opinion re­ garding Q u é b e c in the R O C is important because the country's long-term future m a y depend on h o w the R O C can deal with the challenge of Q u é b e c nationalism. Concessions to Q u é b e c that might undermine the appeal of sovereignty to Q u e b e c e r s will require public support in the R O C , and posi­ tive attitudes toward Q u é b e c increase the possibility that such concessions can be made. Conversely, the ability of the R O C to maintain a tough line against separatism in the event of a third referendum m a y b e enhanced b y negative attitudes toward Q u é b e c in the R O C . We expect that attitudes toward Q u é b e c in anglophone C a n a d a will be influenced b y the a m o u n t and the quality of the contact that anglophone Canadians h a v e with C a n a d a ' s Francophones. T h e contact hypothesis holds that "more contact b e t w e e n individuals belonging to antagonistic social groups tends to u n d e r m i n e negative stereotypes and reduce preju­ dice, thus improving inter-group relations b y making people more willing to deal with each other as equals" (Forbes, ix). T h e contact hypothesis sug­ gests that contact a m o n g m e m b e r s of different groups leads to greater com­ munication either through living side-by-side or b y having the linguistic ability to communicate, and such contact improves inter-group relations. Studies have found that anglophone Canadians w h o live in regions with m o r e French speakers and higher levels of bilingualism evaluate French Canadians more positively than do those Canadians living in re­ gions with fewer French speakers (White and Curtis 1990, Curtis and W h i t e 1993). Although it is not clear from these studies whether personal bilin­ gualism or simple proximity explains m o r e positive feelings, meaningful c o m m u n i c a t i o n is not likely to take place w h e n m e m b e r s of different groups speak different languages and are unable to converse in the lan­ guage of the other group. O f course, c o m m u n i c a t i o n occurs even w h e n people do not understand each other, but the level of contact is almost cer­ tainly higher as oral c o m m u n i c a t i o n abilities rise. The m a i n objective of this article is to e x a m i n e the influence that k n o w l e d g e of the French language h a s on the attitudes of anglophone Canadians toward Q u é b e c . Official bilingualism is often cited as a source of national unity, b u t prior studies h a v e not c o m p a r e d the political atti­ tudes of those a n g l o p h o n e Canadians w h o are able to speak and under­ stand French with those w h o cannot. We r e v i e w the efforts of the Canadian g o v e r n m e n t to p r o m o t e bilingualism and test the hypothesis that Québec Studies, Volume 47, Spring/Summer 2009

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Author details

Piroth, Scott

Jackson, David