Right now French and English are the official languages of Canada. There are the English parts (the majority of the country) and the French parts (the biggest being Quebec). But it seems to me that the French-speaking parts punch well above their weight culturally. Because their language insulates them from the strong US cultural influence, giving them space to develop their own unique cultural identity and not have to compete with US media. So it would be a big cultural upgrade if all of Canada spoke French. Plus the French language is cool. Wouldn’t it just be cooler if we all spoke French more?

Q: But how would that work?

A: Good question. Well French immersion is already really common (when English-speaking families sent their kids to French-speaking school). What we need to do is make all schools French immersion, and once we have a generation fluent in French we can begin the process of slowly purging the English language from any sort of government institution. Overtime people will be speaking French so much that it will seep into their private lives and they’ll just speak French at home.

Q: But wouldn’t a policy like this be massively unpopular and cause widespread backlash?

A: Absolutely it would that’s why it’s an unpopular opinion. But in an ideal world, we would do it. 🇨🇦🇫🇷

If anyone wanted to phase out English in favour of some indigenous languages I would be in favour if that too.

Edit for spelling

Another edit: why are you guys downvoting this for disagreeing, you’re supposed to disagree thats the point of this sub

  • Skavau@piefed.social
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    5 days ago

    Poutine is from Quebec. The best hockey team in the NHL is from Quebec.

    I wouldn’t say the NHL is a major soft-power thing globally. It’s not bad, I guess. But it’s not like only Canada is of note in that area.

    Also in Quebec they consume far more media produced locally.

    True, but the media produced locally is not really consumed internationally. My point was about soft power here.

    • a_gee_dizzle@lemmy.caOP
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      5 days ago

      Soft power is nice, but in this post I am more concerned with squishy power, i.e. the power to have sovereignty over your own culture, even if your culture isn’t exported outward