Café seats show Montreal's bilingual reality

A reader describes sitting beside two men in N.D.G. who spoke mostly French with some English and franglais, and notes this contrasts with political backlash after Official Languages Minister Marc Miller said he was "fed up" with the politicization of the language debate in Quebec.

I had lunch recently in N.D.G. and sat next to two young men having a lively conversation about their careers. One was an anglophone who spoke French very well and the other was a francophone. Their exchange, mostly in French with some English and franglais, felt like a small example of Montreal’s cosmopolitan everyday life. The writer contrasts that amiable scene with the political backlash after Official Languages Minister Marc Miller said he was "fed up" with the politicization of the language debate in Quebec and expresses support for Miller. Key points: - The writer sat beside two men in their 30s in N.D.G. who were talking about their careers. - One man was an anglophone fluent in French; the other was francophone. - Their conversation was reported as about 75 per cent French, with some English and franglais. - The scene is presented as a reminder of Montreal’s cosmopolitan, bilingual reality. - The letter contrasts that everyday exchange with criticism directed at Marc Miller after his comment that he was "fed up" with politicization of the language debate, and it praises Miller for speaking out. Summary: The letter presents a short, personal observation to illustrate everyday bilingual life in Montreal and to note tension in the wider language debate. Undetermined at this time.