Présentation: Les anglophones au Québec

The author points out that discussion of the situation of Anglophones in Quebec tends to involve one of the following three characterizations: they have been oppressors, first conquerors then occupiers of the dominant positions in the provincial economy; they have been and are a fifth column (metaphorically speaking), increasing the likelihood that immigrants will adopt English, the dominant language of North America, rather than French; or, they have become victims, with access to both English-language institutions and government jobs limited by provincial government policy. He argues that a case can be made and something can be said for each these characterizations, each also risks turning into caricature. Most Anglophones did not occupy dominant positions in the economy in the past, let alone the present. The contribution of Quebec Anglophones to inducing immigrants to adopt English as their language of use is probably smaller than that of Hollywood, and besides the population has undergone substantial shrinkage over the last decades. And evidence suggests that, whatever grievances Anglophones might have, a significant proportion has higher than average incomes and, by failing to out-migrate, a majority demonstrate that continuing to live in Quebec is more appealing than the alternatives.

Recherches sociographiques

Vol. 55

no. 3

455-465

Septembre-décembre 2014

fr