English to French translation

French in Maine

June 8, 2006

New York Times article on the resurgence of French in Maine

Comments

As an American, I've always heard about french-speakers in Louisiana, but never in Maine. How strange! Does anybody know more about this?

Dominique gives more info in the comments on the French side, can you read French?

Thanks Céline! It's really fascinating how the presence of another language is seen as threatening. Same ideas come up in current issues with heavy Mexican immigration...there is a famous philly cheesetake restaurant in Philadelphia (duh) which, amid the owner's concerns over the lack of assimilation, has put up signs stating that they will serve their cheesesteaks only if the order is made in english...sure, he may be only one guy, but it made evening news.

There are lots of examples of language being used by colonisers to impose their culture and power onto an indigenous population, or to bolster national feeling. However, it bemuses me how a clearly established, strong nation can still remain paranoid about losing its "identity" because of the presence of a different language in it borders.

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