Quebec
Some quick Wikifacts:
"Nationalism plays a large role in the politics of Quebec, and all three major provincial political parties have sought greater autonomy for Quebec and recognition of its unique status. Sovereigntist governments have held referendums on independence in 1980 and 1995. In 2006, the Canadian House of Commons passed a symbolic motion recognizing the "Québécois as a nation within a united Canada."
"The Province of Quebec was founded in the Royal Proclamation of 1763 after the Treaty of Paris formally transferred the French colony of Canada[16] to Britain after the Seven Years' War."
When I worked at Walmart as technical support (using the term loosely) to French-speaking provinces in Canada, it became clear to me that the province of Quebec has a "whipsaw" kind of identity. The Quebecois are clearly Canadian (hehe) because of their geographic location, but their cultural identity is French because that's the language and culture their ancestors brought with them when they settled there near the banks of the Saint Lawrence River.
So are they Canadian? That depends on who you ask. According to Mike at the Walmart CA Home Office, "They should just speak English because this is Canada!" It turns out a lot of Canadians think it's silly that they need an interpreter for business relations within their own country.
Are they French? Well...when I met some Quebecois while in France, they didn't sound French to me, and the French people kind of mocked them (which wasn't very nice). France seems a popular place for Quebecois to visit, but it seems that the French have little interest in returning the sentiments.
(Forgive the generalizations. I'm sure there are many exceptions.)
So, I think Quebec is a cultural whipsaw. They want to be French. They are Canadian. What is their cultural identity?
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This is a great illustration of Whipsaw.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of a close parallel with other countries, however, there is definitely an identity struggle with Austrians. They embrace their own separate culture, but outsiders think of them as southern Germans. It's really annoying sometimes :).
In my view, although one may share a language with another culture, it doesn't necessarily mean that they are a part of that culture. Of course, how an individual may see him or herself will vary, but for the most part, I feel that the individual will most likely identify with the culture that they are surrounded by. Although, I can see how some Quebecois may yearn to be a part of *the* French culture, I feel that the majority would more likely stay closer to home and embrace their own culture. Although, that in itself has caused some divisiveness among Canadians, based on snippets that I've read here and there.
ReplyDeleteIt's a toughie, isn't it! The Quebecois are so proud of their "French" heritage but they are truly French Canadians!! Look at how close the votes have been to remove themselves from Canada - virtually 50% to 50%! I can't think of any other country/culture in a similar situation. And yet, we know that Quebec has wanted out, albeit quietly, peacefully... Unfortunately, the winds of violence have reemerged in Northern Ireland this weekend and I fear what that might mean. Northern Ireland would like to be free, like Ireland is... but violence has often been present there. The language is, for the most part, the same there...it's religion that is the problem...So, we "whipped ourselves towards peace for 12 years", let's pray we're not about to "whip" the other way there...
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