Press ‘1’ for English

So Le Club Francais is embarking on a project to have only French spoken in the whole St. John Valley on Wednesdays. Quite an undertaking, I’d say.

I think it perfectly acceptable for people of French descent to communicate in the French language among themselves. I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect everyone to do the same.

It is fine to try to retain your ancestral tongue as a second language, but to use it as a primary language in our society limits interaction with others and shows a lack of respect for those of us who do not share the culture.

Although I live in a French society, I have no French ancestry. I have no familiarity with the language, nor do I have any interest or need for learning it. There must be a few English-speaking businesspeople in the Valley. Will it get so we will have to press “1” for English? Why should a business be asked to conduct business, even for a day, in a foreign language? Businesses want business, not to discourage it, don’t they? Will we who speak English only have to drive to Presque Isle on Wednesdays?

Carol Connors

St. Francis