Differences in Earnings by Language Groups in Quebec, 1970: An Economic Analysis

The author puts forward a framework that takes into account the roles of the languages known by an individual in explaining his labour earnings. First, two different strands of literature are surveyed: (1) the material on labour earnings determination viewed through capital, discrimination, and supply and demand type models; and (2) the works on what can be called the economics of language. An earnings equation is then put forth by the author that includes, as an explanatory variable, language and its role as an ethnic attribute and a form of human capital. The sample used in the statistical data is then described, and a correlation of relevant economic factors is made to the income differences between English-speaking and French-speaking groups in Quebec. A statistical analysis is then detailed concerning the labour earnings of Quebec males as they relate to their education, language, and job experience. Further, attempts are made to estimate the contributions of ethnicity to differences in earnings between Anglophones and Francophones. This contribution is then compared to that found in other labour markets where ethnicity was shown to be a relevant factor.

(Publication B-90)

Québec

Centre international de recherche sur le bilinguisme, Université Laval

1980

232, xi p.

en