Difference Between Quebec French and France French (With Table)

Although both grounded in modern period Classical French, Metropolitan (or Regular European) and Québec (or Canadian) French seem two wholly different dialects of French. Even though a non-French person could accurately make this supposition, most people would have a hazy notion of how different the two are.

Quebec French vs France French

The main difference between Quebec French and France French is that Metropolitan French is a descendant of European French. However, there are some impacts from surrounding different languages. These tendencies are modest, if not non-existent, through spoken Metropolitan French. Having considerable has implications from the United Kingdom and the United States, Québec French has a more significant proportion of borrowed English words, particularly in conversational speaking Canadian French.

In plain terminology, Québécois is Canadian French. Yes, there seems to be Acadian French, however most keep referring to Québécois whenever they talk regarding Canadian French. This dialect of French being used in the region of Québec is known as Québécois. Despite popular belief, this is not an additional language.

The French spoken in France seems to be the main dialect of the nation. Not only this, there are many languages spoken in France but French remains the main language throughout the country. Also, the French spoken in France doesn’t use many English words.

Comparison Table Between Quebec French and France French

Parameters of Comparison

Quebec French

France French

Main Language of

Quebec French is the main dialect of Quebec, Canada.

Whereas French is indeed the native tongue but in France. It is also the primary language of France.

Pronunciation

Quebec French is spoken with a nasal accent.

On the other hand, French in France is spoken with a ‘front-mouth’ accent.

Rhythm of Speech

The rhythm of speech peaks near the end of the statement in Quebec French.

Whereas, in case of France French, the rhythm of dialect goes up and down throughout the phrase in French.

Inclusion of English

Quebec French never encompasses any English word.

On the other hand, France French encompasses many English Words.

Evolution

With considerable impacts from the United Kingdom and the USA, Québec French, has a higher amount of acquired English words, particularly in colloquial speaking Canadian French.

Whereas, Metropolitan French is a direct descendant of European French. However there are some impacts from surrounding additional languages, these tendencies are subtle, if not non-existent, in spoken Metropolitan French.

What is Quebec French?

Quebec French is perhaps the most widely recognized French dialect throughout Canada since it is utilized in practically every aspect of society, including school, government, journalism, and everyday life. When Samuel de Champlain founded Quebec City in 1608, he established French as a dialect in North America. 

Nonetheless, it was not until the creation of the Sovereign Council in 1663 that the provinces of New France began to flourish. French is also being recognized to ensure that the required terms are developed in French whenever distinct English words are generated, contrasted to France, where several concepts, like ‘parking,’ are very often Anglicized into French.

Throughout Quebec, this would be referred to be ‘Staionnement,’ whereas, in France, it is referred to as ‘Parking.’ France seems to be more ready to embrace an English word than to coin a unique one. Quebec French derives from localized versions (dialects) of modern period French, often referred to as Classical French, including various langues d’ol, introduced to New France by French colonists within the 17th and 18th centuries.

What is France French?

Despite the fact that numerous main languages are recognized throughout the nation, French is the nation’s primary language. The state recognizes no other dialect but French as the primary language. French seems to be the world’s second most widely spoken dialect, behind English. 

The number of persons who speak French as the first or second language is around 300 million. It might be the only dialect studied in every country on the planet, with a youth population of 100 million, including a teaching population of 2 million. 

The Gallo-Romance languages of northern France gave rise to French, which is a Romance language (primarily derived through Vulgar Latin). Old French, as well as Middle French, are two of the earliest varieties of the dialect. Various dialects sprang from Old French, yet the Francien language survived and flourished even during the Middle French era (14th–17th century). The Francien language gave birth to modern French. 

Main Differences Between Quebec French and France French

  1. Quebec French is a complete contrast to French. There are approximately 13 vowel sounds in the latter, whereas there are more over 15 in Québécois. A few additional sounds would go a long way.
  2. Words that already have dropped out of usage in France are still used by Québécois residents. The French, for instance, use “voiture” (auto), whereas Québécois prefer to use the antiquated word “char,” which originates out of an old concept for chariots.
  3. Nasal noises are also important. Despite the fact that French is a nasal dialect by definition, Québécois would be even more nasal. With French, for instance, we enunciate in/un in almost the same manner. They speak it as if it were an, which is not the case in France.
  4. Quebec French never encompasses any English word. On the other hand, France French encompasses many English Words.
  5. Another element of distinction among Canadian and French would be that Canadian French has a significantly larger vocabulary drawn among First Nations dialects. For comparison, if you decided to purchase few sandals in French, you would search for les sandales. On the other hand, Les babiches, the Aboriginal loanword, is what you’d inquire for that in Canadian French.

Conclusion

French superseded Latin as perhaps the most prominent vernacular of traditional diplomacy affairs in the seventeenth century (lingua franca). It held this position until the mid-twentieth century, while English enhanced the significant global force after WWII, whenever the United States became the leading world superpower.

According to Stanley Meisler of the Los Angeles Times, the notion that the Treaty of Versailles was drafted in both English and French was the “first strategic strike” even against dialect. France experienced an era of affluence and distinction amongst European countries even during Grand Siècle (Seventeenth century), underneath the authority of prominent leaders, including Cardinal Richelieu including Louis XIV.

Reference

  1. https://brill.com/view/book/edcoll/9789004334410/B9789004334410-s013.xml
  2. https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:225323/FULLTEXT01.pdf