Can I get by only speaking English in Montreal?

Question

I'm only know very very little French (which I will try to speak when Im there). Do most restaurants/stores employees bilingual?

Answer 1

Montreal is unique within Canada. Although Canada officially is bilingual English and French, Montreal is the only city that is. It has the largest bilingual population in Canada.

49.7% bilingual
8.5 English Only
39.8 French Only

Answer 2

You'll be fine. I'm English and I live in Montreal. Most everybody in the service sector can speak English. But I get the impression that a lot of francophones appreciate it when you bust a little French on them, even if it's limited. Another interesting thing that I have noticed about language in Montreal is that west of St. Laurent Blvd. seems way more English then east. Also around McGill and Concordia University it's almost entirely English. Don't think I have ever heard a word of French in any of the drinking establishments around that area. But maybe that's just because I was drunk and it all sounded the same at that point.

Answer 3

Yes, but by law service people at stores, restaurants, etc., are supposed to greet customers first in French, even in the English-speaking areas (in fact, just today there is a controversy because the language police office just released results of a survey about compliance, for which the government actually wasted money surveying 2500 establishments in central Montreal - about 80% of the clerks, salespeople, maître 'd's, etc. surveyed followed this stupid law).

The polite thing to do is to say at the outset: "Pardonnez-moi, ma français est mauvais." and you will be cheerfully served in English. Or have an obvious English language newspaper tucked under your arm.

If by chance you choose to wander into some of the vibrant ethnic neighborhoods you may come upon some places where there is only the immigrant language and French. Just last night we dined at a fine Turkish restaurant that had menus in just Turkish and French, as spoke the owner and maitre 'd. Fortunately the owner's son spoke English and translated for
other diners so needing.

Answer 4

You will get by just fine in Montreal speaking english... one great by-product of Montreal being the greatest city in the world is that you can speak french or english and get pretty much equal service....

I'm warning you though... once you go there, you will never want to leave... Montreal's not the greatest city in the world for nothing.

Answer 5

It sounds like English isn't your first language either. What you can do is ask politely in your first language if they speak it, and then (once they look baffled) next ask in English if they speak English. Then they'll be happy. It's really only local people who refuse to speak French (like my mom) that store people have a problem with. If you're clearly not from Canada you'll be fine.

But yes, most but NOT ALL store/restaurant people speak English.

Answer 6

Yup, just speak english freely, but just say bon jour ca va or something and then switch to english, for weird reasons people love that.

Try to speak a little bit french, if they see that you are not local they'll switch to english so it'll be fine

I speak both languages, but most of the time don't feel like speaking french so I do english, when I'm in a french mood I speak french, it depends !

Answer 7

Yes, they are bilingual. They have a huge English tourist population so they are required to speak Both English and French.

Answer 8

Montreal is awesome. They will treat you well. Out of all the times I was there I was only treated terribly once for not speaking french. And honestly it only stands out because of how great every one else was.

Answer 9

People have lived in Montreal for years and years, and generations and generations, and never bother to learn the language of the majority. They EXPECT to be served in English.

Answer 10

No problem to my knowledge. Most everyone especially in the food service speaks English. If you go have a good time!