Would it be more respectful for me to speak French or English in Montreal?

Question

I will be visiting Montreal for the first time this month and my French is very limited (I took Spanish to fulfill my language requirement in high school and I don't have any experience speaking French).

When I go to restaurants, shops, my hotel, the train station, etc., would it be more polite and respectful if I spoke in French (using the basic expressions that I have recently learned) or English? I have read online that many locals will "switch over" to English, but I've also read that it may be considered rude to speak English (initially) and assume that the person with whom I'm conversing knows (and wishes to speak in) English. What do you think would be best?

Also, does anyone know of any websites that play audio clips of basic French expressions, so that I will be able to pronounce my words correctly if I speak French up there? Thanks! =)

Answer 1

I'm a native francophone Montrealer, and I can tell you that all Quebecers are really touched when visitors at least ATTEMPT to speak French. It simply shows a certain respect and understanding for the fact that you are visiting a foregin place with a different culture.

After all, you wouldn't travel to Italy without picking up a few words of Italian, nor would you expect it to be a given that everyone you meet speaks English.

That said, most Quebecers who work in the service industry do speak English, especially in Montreal. If you're at the train station or at McDonalds, I wouldn't bother struggling through a French greeting. However, if you are at a sit-down restaurant, or a small shop, or talking with locals for any reason, a small attempt at speaking French will be greatly appreciated.

Here are some websites where you can learn and practice your French:

1-http://www.polarfle.com/

2-http://phonetique.free.fr

3-http://www.pomme.ualberta.ca/devoir/exer.htm

4-http://www.francite.net/education/cyberprof/index.html

5-http://www.bonjourdefrance.com

6-http://lexique.free.fr


Grammaire
www.softissimo.com (testez-vous)
www.francite.net/education/cyberprof
http://pages.infinit.net/jaser2
http://francite.net/education/logiciel/mieuxdire/index.html

Paroles de chansons francophones
www.paroles.net

Actualité
www.ledevoir.com
http://cyberpresse.ca
www.radio-Canada.ca
www.tv5.org


Histoires à écouter pour enfants
www.1001contes.com

Dialogue en français
http://clicnet.swarthmore.edu/rire/dialogues/picasso.html
Ce dialogue est sur le peintre Picasso mais il y en a d’autres.

Dictée
http://www.swgc.mun.ca/french/dictees/Dictéec1d1.htm

Answer 2

Firstly, I don't speak French, and am Canadian. Quebec is at the top of my list for places to visit here. It is an absolutely beautiful province.

Opinions on whether you should speak French or English will probably vary from person to person. As a Canadian, I've heard numerous times that the French are extremely rude. I grew up in Newfoundland and Labrador, and visited an aunt often who lived just an hour from the Quebec border, and we visited often. I've been to French-speaking New Brunswick, and the Montreal and St-Eustache areas. In all of those travels, I have only ever met ONE rude person, who happened to be French, and that was in New Brunswick. I actually find us English folk to be the more rude of the two main groups here in Canada, especially when they put down our French brothers and sisters. Living in a bilingual country, I think it should be mandatory in our schools that we learn both languages. Anyway, enough of that rant.

My husband and I spent two weeks in St-Eustache and Montreal about three years ago. We shopped, we ate out, we loved the whole experience. In the entire time we were there, we met two people who didn't speak English, and one young girl who could muddle her way through - and she apologized PROFUSELY if she was offending us with her 'poor' grasp of the English language. I jokingly told her that her English was much better than my French, and that she was doing fine. There was one little old lady (and I say that with much kindness and fondness) who spoke barely any English. So when we conversed, I used a few French words, she used a few English words, we both used a lot of hand signals, and within a week, we were communicating very effectively.

My only advice really is to start out with a "Bonjour" or a "Bonsoir" if it's in the evening (bonjour actually means 'good day' not 'hello' as many people think it does - a big smile and a happy attitude is always pleasant when greeting someone in any language), and trust me, they will know if you're a foreigner. If they continue on in French, you can always apologize, explain that you only speak English, and ask them if they can do the same. It's very important to do that in French and to be polite when requesting it. You might run into someone that you'll offend by doing that, but the fact that you attempted it will mean a lot to them. Good luck, enjoy your trip, and bring me back something French!! :)

PS. Remember that the dialect of French spoken in Quebec is different from that spoken in other parts of the world, as well. If you've only learned standard French, you may find some people in Quebec who don't understand it well, but that would mostly be in rural areas. Most Montrealers are able to speak both Quebecoise (is that e supposed to be there?) and European French.

Answer 3

I do agree with Old Lady ! Great advice.
Being from Montreal and having lived in the USA for at least 7 yrs, I would say don't worry as english will get you by. You won't be insulting anyone by not speaking french. Montreal is a really good spot. There are a lot of English speaking folk here.
Forgive the people who are rude here though. I don't know what it is but I miss the USA for the excuse me in the stores, and the more polite manners. We are kind of rude here but we really don't know it. Until like myself I went away for some years and then returned, I could see it.

I hope you have a good trip, but as for audio just google french audio and you will find something helpful. Bonjour, yes is always nice.
Have fun !

Answer 4

It is almost certainly best to at least start in French, in Montreal....do your best at expressing yourself until the other person switches to English or suggests that you do.....then you can apologize for your French not being better, and go on in english. If you're from the States people will probably cut you a bit more slack than if you are an Anglophone Canadian or a Brit.....

Answer 5

Well, even though you'll inevitably run into one or two sovereignests who'll only speak french to you, 99% of Montrealers will speak either English and French.
I'd try French first and then switch...

Most will switch with you(if they can) and be friendly...

Most Quebecois are appreciaative that you are at least trying...

Bonne Journee and beinvenue a Montreal et Quebec...

Answer 6

Montreal uses mostly English. Quebec City uses mostly French. Any of the little towns outside of these two large areas are predominantly French.
So -- when you're in Montreal, you won't have problems in restaurants, shops, hotel etc. if you stick with English, but if you want to try out your French for fun, then go right ahead.
Bienvenu a Montreal!

Answer 7

I'm a Quebecer; usually I start in French but switch when I see the other person has trouble with the language. Most of us will go out of our way to help tourists, no matter how bad our English. Just offer a "Bonjour" and a friendly smile; people will react positively. Bienvenue!

Answer 8

Having traveled In Quebec, I've found that starting with "Bonjour" is usually a good idea. Most locals will then switch to English, knowing that you're a foreigner. If they continue in French and you don't understand go with: "Je suis desolé. Je ne comprend pas. Pouvez-vous me parler en anglais, s'il vous plait?" (It's a mouthful, I know... but the key is the "s'il vous plait?") Really, in my experience, it's making the effort in that first moment that counts. And in most the places you'll go (hotels, shops, etc.) the people will be used to dealing with English speaking Americans and Canadians.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your visit!

Answer 9

Montreal is actually almost completely half-and-half. Some people that live there don't speak any french at all. I'm sure there are some who don't speak any english, either.
I would say, listen to what you hear around you first, then speak whichever language you hear.

Answer 10

Stardust 1 and Shana J and Mel have it right, except you should feel free to speak English at the beginning if you have heard the person speaking English already to another person.