MONTREAL - A recent issue of L'actualite magazine featured a poll indicating that many young anglophones in Quebec just don't care about the state of the French language.
Many critics took offense at the poll, for a variety of reasons, but it is Jack Jedwab of the Association for Canadian Studies who said the very questions asked were biased.
"The survey done by L'actualite gave the impression that anglophones were hostile to the French community," said Jedwab. "Our feeling based on many conversations is that anglophones feel that in fact it's English on the decline."
Along with the Gazette the Association commissioned another poll, this one with the goal of asking more neutral questions.
An example question from the CROP/L'actualite poll:
- Given the power of globalization and of the English language, it is only a question of time before most work in Montreal will be done in English.
- 54% anglophones agree.
An example question from the Leger Marketing/The Gazette/ACS poll:
- Eventually the majority of Montrealers will work in English.
- 29% anglophones agree. 48% francophones agree.
For the full interview, click the video player to the right.
