French and English are both official languages of Canada. And over time, Montreal became the largest city in Quebec. Therefore, you can expect to be served and work in English across the country and in Montreal as well. So might just not answer or answer in French even they know that you don’t understand. French is the mother tongue of about 7.2 million Canadians (20.6 per cent of the Canadian population, second to English at 56 per cent) according to Census Canada 2016. And I was travelling, not working. Most native speakers of the French language in Canada live in Quebec, where French is the official and majority language. French is also taught in schools. Now if you asked why the province of Quebec is majority French in general, then it's fairly simple. Quebec is a province in which most people speak French. Why do they speak French in Canada? The first Europeans to reach the area known as Quebec were from France, and they settled it as a French colony. I agree, one thing is to be tourist and the other to work in Montreal. Until you have lived there, the depth of Québec’s language issues isn’t apparent. dear all, it is just me, or is the French language which Montreal people speak totally different from the French in France? I normally can have a conversation in French in France (not fancy or deep, but still), but in Montreal, I just could not understand the French there - rather sticked to English. That's why there's French-Canadians in Montreal and why it's residents speak Canadian French and/or Canadian English. Quebec was historically a French settlement in the colonial times, so over the years that classic culture of language has stuck around and remained the most dominantly spoken language in the area. And the Ministry of Quebec offers free French language lessons to all immigrants, even ones specialized by field. If you are making an effort to … Montreal … French settlement was established in eastern Canada by the early 17th century, with Samuel de Champlain founding Port Royal in Acadia in 1605 and Quebec City in 1608. Most native speakers of the French language in Canada live in Quebec, where French is the official and majority language. Of course you can live and work in Montreal! - We have an unexpected long weekend coming up this weekend, and I would like to take the kids (13 yrs) old somewhere - they … The French spoken in these regions was considered to be the purest, and most resembled the King's French. Even though the majority of the province is francophone (French speaking), English is widely spoken in major cities like Québec City or Montréal, as well as tourist havens like Mont-Tremblant and Tadoussac. They also not very tolerant to English speaking. Knowing a few words help but if they can tell you are not from here, you will get a break. If you're wondering why do Canadians speak French, this video is for you. I speak French; I grew up attending French immersion school in Ontario, and it stuck with me my whole life. It's home to the largest french-speaking population outside of France, over 8 million people. Think of it as visiting another country where you do not speak the language: use the words suggested above, smile, and speak kindly. Canada - Do people really mostly speak French in Quebec? Despite the British eventually taking over most of North America, Quebec always remained a stronghold of French. Lazartigues-Chartier says that French newcomers are completely disconnected from the Quebec-as-North America perspective. They insisted in talking to him in 'French' at the airport and although he has school-boy French, a lot of it he didn't understand! Canada - Do people really mostly speak French in Quebec? It's 'French-Canadian' - as my husband discovered when landing in Quebec instead of Toronto (from the UK) during a firefighters strike in TO. In other words, if you speak French, you have a better chance of moving in. e.g. ! And dealing mostly with the service industry, who are nice as part of their job. French is also taught in schools. They are fluent in English and speak it only when necessary, such as when a tourist asks directions speaking English. Now, of course, that was just for a few days. They speak Quebecois French. Trying to speak French helps but, if you make too much effort, it can backfire and you may end-up with an English-speaker serving you in French because they think that is what you want to.