Les Politiques Linguistiques (Language Policies)

Learning ObjectivesExplain the purpose of a language policy.Use the subjunctive mood to express opinions and necessities about language issues.Use complex relative pronouns like dont (of which/whom) [dohn] to discuss abstract topics.Report different points of view using indirect speech.Imagine you're moving to Montreal for college. 🎓 You notice that all the public signs are only in French. You wonder why. This is the result of a politique linguistique (language policy) [po-lee-TEEK lan-gwees-TEEK], which is a set of laws and actions a government takes to manage how languages are used in its territory. These policies might aim to protect a minority language, promote bilingualism, or establish an official language. 📜Real-World ApplicationsUnderstand current events and debates in Quebec and...

French TermWhat it MeansExample in a Sentenceune politique linguistique (a language policy) [oon po-lee-TEEK lan-gwees-TEEK]A set of laws and rules about languages.Le Québec a une politique linguistique (language policy) [po-lee-TEEK lan-gwees-TEEK] pour protéger le français (to protect French).légiférer (to legislate) [lay-zhee-fay-RAY]To make laws.Le gouvernement a légiféré (legislated) [ah lay-zhee-fay-RAY] pour valoriser la langue officielle (to promote the official language).promouvoir (to promote) [pro-moo-VWAR]To encourage something to grow or develop.L'organisme cherche à promouvoir (promote) [pro-moo-VWAR] la culture francophone (French-speaking culture).une revendication (a demand/claim) [oon ruh-vahn-dee-kah-SYOHN]A demand made to get a right you believe you deserve.Les revendic...

1. The Present Subjunctive for Opinions and NecessityWe use the subjunctive mood to express an opinion (often in the negative), a doubt, a wish, an emotion, or a necessity. It's a key structure for debating policies.Rule: Verbs of wishing/necessity/doubt + que (that) [kuh] + Subject 2 + verb in the subjunctive.Examples:Il faut que le gouvernement agisse (It is necessary that the government act) [eel FOH kuh luh goo-vehr-nuh-mahn ah-ZHEES]. (Necessity)Je ne pense pas que cette loi soit (I don't think that this law is) [zhuh nuh pahns pah kuh set lwah SWAH] efficace (effective). (Doubt/Negative Opinion)Nous souhaitons qu'ils protègent (We wish that they protect) [noo sway-TOHN keel pro-TEZH] notre langue (our language). (Wish)2. The Relative Pronoun 'Dont'Dont (of which/whom) [dohn] replaces...