Quebec snubs and sneers

I just moved here from B.C. in September, and have been trying to learn French outside the classroom since I arrived. I have found it difficult because B.C. is sadly devoid of French culture; the schooling there is European French and minimal at best.

It's very frustrating being ridiculed or ignored when using my broken French in a social setting. I came here to experience what I had heard was a "distinct culture" and to learn the language, the lifeblood of the québécois nation. In less than 100 days, I feel I have gained a foothold on the language, but my chances to use it are few and far between. I've been in numerous situations where people I'm speaking with will quickly lose patience when I struggle with a new phrase or verb tense, quickly ending the conversation with a snub and a sneer.

What's that all about? I came here to learn, just like I thought québécois people would want, and I'm given little chance! Sometimes it seems like unless one is born French, he's not welcome, no matter what the effort. I love Quebec's culture, but I think that the pre-judging has detracted from my experience here.

All that said, I would like to thank the few of you out there who have allowed me to try and to fail without ridicule. Anyone learning a language will fuck up, and this minority of francophones who have allowed me to are setting an example of what Quebec could be if one's language of origin was ignored and communication in its most basic form was put in the forefront. After all, it wasn't that long ago that the we were all pointing and grunting.

» Rovy P.

French and fascism

Regarding "Language debate childish" by Lysanne Lessard [Letters, Nov. 18]: I am functional in French. Not fluid. Am able to carry on a conversation in French if need be.

Exclusion does not pop full-blown from the mind of a six-year-old. It is placed there. By those who want it to be that way. For reasons known to them.

I suggest that she read Myths, Memory and Lies by Esther Delisle. Quebec's intelligentsia and the fascist temptation of 1939-1960. Not popular in Quebec. Lionel Groulx was their guru. A priest. A fascist. We must be separate to avoid a mixing of the blood. We want a separate nation. Called Laurentia. Based on fascist principles and created for us alone. Not them. Amen.

» John C. Underwood

War taxis

Regarding your story in honour of Remembrance Day ["Keeping the peace," Nov. 11]: I was very young when the Second World War ended. The soldiers returned home and could not get a simple job to feed their families - black soldiers who defended their country alongside white ones.

The soldiers used to gather in my late father's grocery store, telling my father, Benjamin White, their problems. So, my late father, along with city councillor Frank Hanley and gasoline station owner Johnny Primeau, started the Veteran's Taxi to give the black and white soldiers a job.

This is how I remember World War II; the rest I had to read at the library.

» Bob White

Infringement heads up

I was touched by Michael Black's concern for "voices that are rarely heard" not reaching "a larger swatch of the population" in his recent letter promoting applications to the Fringe festival ["Fringe heads up," Nov. 11].

All too often voices of the disadvantaged are silenced or marginalized, and Michael Black is generous in bringing this problem into the spotlight by suggesting that "we should be seeing a wider range of stories being told".

Unfortunately there will always be struggling artists who don't make the lottery, can't afford the registration fees or who have performances that fall outside of the Fringe guidelines. Luckily for all the people who want to create performances but are looking for an alternative, the infringement festival is currently seeking all sorts of artists and activists (theatre, film, music, spoken word, street acts, workshops, you name it) for the hot days ahead. There's no lottery, waiting list or deadline, and the best part is, it's free. With no registration fee and artists keeping 100 per cent of their box office, the infringement festival hopes artists won't have a problem keeping their ticket prices affordable.

So the forthcoming infringement will be inclusive of the artists and should "lure the audience that isn't already in attendance," which is what Michael Black recommends. And we do too. Montreal's second-annual infringement festival runs June 9-19, followed by festivals in Ottawa, Toronto and Buffalo (with more hopefully to come soon). To get involved, submit a performance, or for more info, please contact 583-FEST (3378) or check out www.infringementfestival.com.

» Jason C. McLean, Chaos Organizer, infringement festival

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