Chapter 14 Video: Sugar Sammy Talks Language Politics

Language Politics

An interview on Q by Shad with Sugar Sammy. Sugar Sammy discusses being a bilingual comedian in Quebec, including an experience with the office de la langue francaise, a threat on his life in Sherbrooke and how the rest of Canada perceives the language situation in Quebec.

Highlighted Segments

Suggested In-Class Discussion Questions

  1. Do you agree with Sugar Sammy that he is the “first openly federalist artist” in Quebec?
  2. What purpose does the office de la langue francaise play in Quebec? Do they go too far in protecting French in Quebec? Is it necessary to protect the French language in the province?
  3. What is a distinct society? Is Quebec a distinct society? What about other provinces?
  4. Sugar Sammy is a Punjabi-Quebecer-Canadian who speaks four languages. Is he a typical modern Quebecer? To what degree will the French language be protected by immigrants like Sugar Sammy who are not bilingual but rather multilingual?
  5. The Canadian writer and Montrealer Mordecai Richler noted that there is “a good deal of self-pity and whining” in Quebec concerning the French language. Do you agree with him? Why?

Suggested Assignment Questions

  1. Using the most recent census data, examine the linguistic profile of your community. Are there any surprises?
  2. Using historical and recent census data, examine the linguistic profile of your community. How has it changed over time? What languages have increased/decreased in usage?
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