Difference Between Quebec French and France French

Quebec French vs France French

The differences in the two French dialects are as huge as the distance between France and Quebec. The language construction, vocabulary and pronunciation are all starkly different. Quebec French is generally categorized under Canadian French, which includes other French dialects used in Canada. The Canadian French dialect is older than the current France French dialect, as it grew only gradually in popularity outside of France, and it was more in isolation as it was surrounded by the predominant American English.

History

Quebec French is the most prominent French dialect used in Canada, as it is employed in almost every sector of life, such as education, government, media and daily life. French, as a language, was permanently instituted in North America on the establishment of Quebec City in 1608, by Samuel de Champlain. However, the colonies of New France actually only started to experience growth after 1663’s establishment of the Sovereign Council.

Some groups of colonists arrived and settled in New France between 1627 and 1663, in Canada. Most of the immigrants originated from regions in Western and Northern France, including Perche, Normandy, Aunis, Paris, Poitou and Anjou. In those times however, French was not the predominant language used in those regions. According to accounts by Phillipe Barbaud, the original colonists who migrated to the North American continent were not francophone, apart from those that migrated from the Paris region. These colonists used a popular French dialect, and the subsequent ‘clash of dialects’ resulted in to the linguistic consolidation of Quebec. Although many communities that were not using French might have understood it, there was a gradual linguistic transfer towards the French language, leading to a unification of all groups originating from France.
Usage

While Quebec French is more nasal in pronunciation, France French pronunciation is more at the front of the mouth. The melody of speech in Quebec French often rises at the end of a sentence, while in France French it alternates between high and low during the sentence. Notable with France French as well, is the abundant use of English words, which is not the case with Quebec French, for example: The road signage word ‘stop’ used in France is equivalent to ‘arret’ in ‘Quebecois’. As well, some words used in Quebec French are obsolete in France French.

Summary:
Quebec French is the main language in Quebec, Canada, while France French is used in the European country of France.
Quebec French has a nasal pronunciation, while France French has a ‘front-mouth’ pronunciation.
In Quebec French, the melody of speech rises at the end of sentences, while in France French, the melody rises and falls during the sentence.
France French incorporates many English words, unlike Quebec French.

Sharing is caring!