Language Stories - Episode 3: Montreal: Beyond Bilingual║Lindsay Does Languages Video

[@519djw6]

I'm from the USA, but live in Japan. A few years ago, I was learning Russian from a fellow from Montreal. And, in his case, he grew up not but only bilingually, but trilingually, because his maternal grandfather was Russian and aways spoke Russian with him. At the time I knew him, he had already become fluent in Spanish and had reached a degree of fluency in Japanese so that his primary source of income was as an interpreter between Japanese and Russian businesspeople. However, the kicker was that his father was from Germany, but was so enamored of things American that he never taught his son German--the *one* acquired language that I'm completely bilingual in!

[@mymusicalmaven3837]

Actually, French is the sole official language of Montréal. But, the city has the largest English speaking community in Québec. Just wanted to make that clarification. A very proud francophone city!!! ⚜️

[@BillGathen]

That was fantastic! It renewed my interest in learning languages and it made me want to visit Montreal. I'll definitely check out the rest of the series. ¡Estupendo!

[@ronaldjohnson_ita]

Your channel is amazing, keep it up! I love these documentary style videos.

[@danaeflorou_alphabetagreek]

So nice to see Canada, especially Montreal and even more a Greek among the people you interviewed! A wonderful video, as always!

[@p.j.jasperlaureijs2159]

Hello, I'm from Switzerland. We have also French as an official language and bilingual (Frech/German) city like Bienne/Biel and Fribourg/Freiburg.

[@charlespapineau8497]

I don't care about the Bonjour Hi controversy but sometimes it can be hard to have a service in french in downtown Montreal and that's unaceptable. All the different languages are welcomed here but french will always be the main language just like english is the main language in Toronto or in New York.

[@paulhowlett8151]

Wow - Good interviewing, this video gave me a "taste" of what Montreal is like. I like the comments from the locals, the people in the "street".

[@salamanderjazz]

It turned out great! Bravo!

[@radmugi9957]

From Japanese just like me, it's curious, even mysterious for them in Montreal to talk naturally in every kind of languages. in fact, We needn't talk English in our life, probably, but in near future, the skill of learning languages will be essential for us here. We'll mean to be in those situation.

[@PassionforDreaming]

I've been wanting to visit for a while now! Seeing this makes me want to go even more!

[@maelysmay1406]

This is so insightful and interesting! Thanks for making it!

[@joeyperugino6762]

Great video Lindsay. I love your work First time I see it. I should definitely check your channel more often for updates. You really produce great videos.

[@user-ho6dv2ux1z]

Insightful! You may wanna hit Eastern Europe, or Poland. It'd be such an enrichment to us to see these regions via your cam. lens.

[@lovaaaa2451]

Aaah québec est très cool

[@user-ty5ld9tp7w]

love it!

[@martinbelec1826]

Great video where you take the time to dig into Montréal'rich langue culture. One point you are missing though us that Montréal is the metropolis of the only French speaking territory in North America called Québec. French will always be fragile in this context and before laws were implemented to protect the French language in Québec, immigrants were choosing English at a rate of about 90% over French. Bill 101 forced all immigrants children to go to French school which is the main reason why people here are multilingual as they know their mother tongue, they learn French at school and they learn English by necessity. That being said, the only official language in Québec is French and the Québécois people like myself want to make clear that although we encourage multilingualism, french should always be the common language in your daily public interactions and in your work environment. To me, Bonjour / Hi does not send the right message as it should be only Bonjour and according to the person's response, one can then adapt to the appropriate language knowing French should always be used first out if respect to this unique French society in NA.

[@ncross63]

Interesting , pueden hablar muchas lenguas , ça cest três bien

[@AlAminOYT]

I feel like a second language is a big deal only in North America. I grew up in Qatar with Bangladeshi parents. I spoke Bengali, English, Hindi, Arabic, bit of Urdu / Persian by the age of 10. Only studied English in school and the rest of them were picked up from my surrounding. In Qatar speaking 2 languages is a minimum while 3-5 is common.

[@Imsemble]

It's really good and enriching that people speak multiple languages here and have a lot of cultural contact. It's also important that work and public life remain French only. It's so hard to protect our language as only 8 million in a sea of 350+ million anglophones and if we want newcomers to integrate to our culture then our culture has to be the standard.

[@marcoarias9711]

I loved this video!! Siempre he querido vivir en una ciudad multilingüe!! Ich finde es sehr nett!!! Merci, grazie mille!!

[@Monkeywe]

Chaque fois que je pense que j'ai maîtrisé le français j'entends un québécois et je jette toute pour la fenêtre.

[@massimomtl4522]

Culture cannot be legislated in Montreal although the Qc government is definitely trying in the name of QC identity and nationalism. Montreal is officially French (for political reasons) but the reality is that it is a beautifully multi-lingual and multi-cultural city. A true crossroads between America and Europe, a runaway train of cultures that cannot be stopped or tamed, no matter how hard they try.

[@scottieglot]

Not sure if you just heard about the new motion that the government just passed to try and discourage people from saying "Bonjour Hi". I think it's sad :( I speak both languages and I like when I am given the option of both

[@LindsayDowLanguages]

That's a real shame. We'll do a follow up video in a few years if things changr

[@2380Shaw]

People with more than 2 languages are just show offs