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Best place to study abroad in Canada?

Is Canada a good place to study abroad for French?

  • Hello, Soon, with any luck, I should be going to university to study French and German. As a result I will have to spend six months in a French speaking country and, likewise, the equivalent in a German speaking country. Although I'd like to study in Paris, I've been recommended against it due to cost of living in accordance with wanting to have fun. I had the idea to study in French speaking Canada; I'd love to visit Canada and I've heard that the people are really friendly there (not to mention it's a beautiful place). I don't mean to offend any Canadians out there but there's not really a nice way to say this: I aspire to be an interpreter and would need to speak standard French with a clean accent, but I've heard that the Canadian-French accent is awful. (Sorry, but I hope you understand my concerns). Any advice whatsoever is completely welcome and very much appreciated. Thank you so much! :) x

  • Answer:

    Hey Tom, I'm currently studying translation, and I definitely understand your concern about the accent. I grew up in Western Canada and moved further east to improve my French for my degree. If you were to come here, I would recommend travelling to Montreal or Quebec City for the most immersion, while still having a big city with lots to see and do. However, we do have a definitive Canadian French accent and along with that comes slang and other terms that you won't find in European French. As an interpreter, you will also need lots of encyclopaedic knowledge to have an edge in the business and to be able to interpret quickly and accurately. Canadian politics and French-Canadian or Quebecois culture is very different than in France, and you should think about where you want to work in the future. Can you see yourself living in Canada or France more easily? North America or Europe? Considering that you are pairing French with German, I would recommend you look deeper into opportunities in France. Paris will likely be a little bit more expensive, but if your studies and experience there will further your career and give you an unforgettable experience, I say go for it! Both Canada and France are beautiful countries which both have an incredible amount of things to offer, and I know you'll have an amazing experience no matter what you decide.

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The quebecois dialect (as I've heard it on TV5) is very distinguishable from european/african french. If they don't speak standard french beside it, you'd better go elsewhere

Firstly although Canada is "technically bilingual" very few people actually speak French outside of Quebec. So if you want to immerse yourself in the French language you're best bet would be Quebec. Secondly, French in France and French in Quebec/Canada is slightly different, and French from France is considered more "prestigious". But honestly, if you want to be a French translator you should learn all the differences and accents. By the way I've never heard the French Canadian accent is "awful", where did you here this from? Maybe you should listen to multiple speakers from various regions of Canada and France and make your own opinion instead of relying on hearsay.

Hey Tom, I'm currently studying translation, and I definitely understand your concern about the accent. I grew up in Western Canada and moved further east to improve my French for my degree. If you were to come here, I would recommend travelling to Montreal or Quebec City for the most immersion, while still having a big city with lots to see and do. However, we do have a definitive Canadian French accent and along with that comes slang and other terms that you won't find in European French. As an interpreter, you will also need lots of encyclopaedic knowledge to have an edge in the business and to be able to interpret quickly and accurately. Canadian politics and French-Canadian or Quebecois culture is very different than in France, and you should think about where you want to work in the future. Can you see yourself living in Canada or France more easily? North America or Europe? Considering that you are pairing French with German, I would recommend you look deeper into opportunities in France. Paris will likely be a little bit more expensive, but if your studies and experience there will further your career and give you an unforgettable experience, I say go for it! Both Canada and France are beautiful countries which both have an incredible amount of things to offer, and I know you'll have an amazing experience no matter what you decide.

Giuliana

Firstly although Canada is "technically bilingual" very few people actually speak French outside of Quebec. So if you want to immerse yourself in the French language you're best bet would be Quebec. Secondly, French in France and French in Quebec/Canada is slightly different, and French from France is considered more "prestigious". But honestly, if you want to be a French translator you should learn all the differences and accents. By the way I've never heard the French Canadian accent is "awful", where did you here this from? Maybe you should listen to multiple speakers from various regions of Canada and France and make your own opinion instead of relying on hearsay.

S

The quebecois dialect (as I've heard it on TV5) is very distinguishable from european/african french. If they don't speak standard french beside it, you'd better go elsewhere

zirp

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