Programme: accepted abstracts

Abstract ID: 568

Part of Session 173: Urban Francophone Language Practices in North America (Other abstracts in this session)

The Francophone Reconquest of Montreal: The Early Years

Authors: Linteau, Paul-André
Submitted by: Linteau, Paul-André (Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada)

In 1990, American urban historian Marc V. Levine published The Reconquest of Montreal : Language Policy and Social Change in a Bilingual City. His book dealt with the period from 1960 to 1989. This paper argues that the reconquest process, which gained momentum after 1960, began almost a century earlier (circa 1865) when, for the first time in 35 years, French-speaking Montrealers outnumbered their English-speaking counterpart. This shift was reflected on the political scene in 1882 when francophones gained a majority in the City Council. Five years later, francophone businessmen created their own Chambre de commerce, distinct from the anglophone Board of Trade.

Dealing with the period 1870-1914, the paper will assess how these demographic, political and economic changes affected Montreal’s sociolinguistic makeup. Did they have an impact on the institutional separate development system created towards mid-Nineteenth Century? How this system coped with the unavoidable interaction between groups and individuals in the public sphere and on the streets? How conflicts were managed? Was cooperation possible?

The paper will also assess how Montreal’s sociolinguistic composition was affected by newcomers. One issue is the impact of the new immigration from France on the French-Canadian population of the city. How the teaching of the French language was affected by these immigrants. What role did they play in the cultural transfer process between France and Quebec. The paper will argue that this phenomenon, which has been largely ignored by historians and sociolinguists, is significant. Overall, it is important to try to assess the impact of the arrival of new groups of immigrants (Jews, Italians, Lebanese, etc.). What linguistic skills did they need in a bilingual city such as Montreal?

The author will compare the results of his ongoing research on Montreal and on immigration (especially on French immigration) with recent historiography in the field.

BRADBURY, Bettina and Tamara MYERS, ed. Negociating indentities in 19th and 20th-Century Montreal. (Vancouver : 2005).

LEVINE, Marc V. The Reconquest of Montreal : Language Policy and Social Change in a Bilingual City. (Philadelphia : 1990).

LINTEAU, Paul-André. Histoire de Montréal depuis la Confédération. (Montréal : 2000).

LINTEAU, Paul-André. «Le personnel politique de Montréal, 1880-1914: évolution d'une élite municipale», Revue d'histoire de l'Amérique française, 52, 2 (1998).

LINTEAU, Paul-André. « Les immigrants français à Montréal, agents de transferts culturels (1870-1914) » (La Rochelle : 2012, forthcoming).

OLSON, Sherry and Patricia THORNTON. Peopling the North American City : Montreal 1840-

Sociolinguistics Symposium 19

Programme: accepted abstracts

The Francophone Reconquest of Montreal: The Early Years