Going to Canada

This topic was created by Steph
[Wed 19 May, 13:08 Tasmanian Standard Time]

A quick question: when people go to Canada, do you have to
speak some French? I studied a little in high school, but
I'm afraid I can't remember too much.
Another thing - it's not, like, cold in the summer is it?

[There are 14 posts - the latest was added on Tue 25 May, 15:35]

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  1. e Added by: e
    [Timestamp: Wed 19 May, 13:55 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    Steph bring your parka coat if you're coming here this
    summer - temperatures are extra low this year, and they are
    predicting that the ground may not thaw at all.
    And absolutely bring a french language phrase book - you can
    get by with English in certain places like Quebec city, but
    for the rest you will find occasional pockets of English,
    and likely the locals will only grudgingly speak it with
    you. Enjoy your trip, and remember all the stereo-types are
    true.



  2. depends Added by: cybil
    [Timestamp: Wed 19 May, 14:36 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    Depends where you are going. The more western you go the more english it is.



  3. Welcome to Canada Added by: Bob
    [Timestamp: Wed 19 May, 15:18 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    The above post is incorrect. It should read the more west
    you go, the more Spanish you hear. Canada was settled by
    the Frendch and Spaniards, and today French and Spanish are
    the two official languages, with English being spoken by a
    minority mostly in the Northern jungle areas.



  4. Canada the easy way Added by: Peter Bryan (oldpot@hotmail.com)
    [Timestamp: Wed 19 May, 17:14 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    Just North of Ottawa on Monday it was +25C = 77F
    In june it will go to +30C = 86F. Warm enough ?
    Go to Toronto first where you will hear no French. Then take the Moose Bus to Ottawa where you will hear plenty of French but everyone speaks English. Go to Carman Trails, where the Moose Bus turns around and there you may speak English or French as you choose. Then go on to Montreal by Moose Bus where you will hear mainly French but most people speak English and finally take the Moose Bus on to Quebec City where again, most people speak French and most people speak some English. You will be made welcome everywhere. Contact
    www.magma.ca/~carman for details



  5. Cold here all year EH Added by: Crazy Canadian
    [Timestamp: Wed 19 May, 17:31 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    Naw up here in the great white norht it freezing all year
    round otherwise all our igloos might melt. You know that the
    the Sky Dome in Toronto where the Blue Jays won the world
    series twice is actually just the worlds largest igloo. And
    I herd a romour last week that some crazy millionair in
    western Canada is actually planning Canada's first flush
    toilet. And I don't know what everyone else is talking about
    but we all speak in Inuit dialects up here with only very
    few who speak Russian and Pig Latin. I think I may actually
    be one of only 25 Canadians that can speack english and
    wheres anything but bear and moose fur togas........Eh



  6. ouch! Added by: not a canadian
    [Timestamp: Wed 19 May, 19:04 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    My, my, my...aren't we all a little sensitive? Maybe poor
    Steph is planning to go to the parts of Canada where
    Canadians DO speak french and is wondering if her pitiful
    high school knowledge is enough to get her by. And maybe
    she doesn't know what summer temperatures are expected to
    be in Canada. Be a little kind to those that want to visit
    your fair country and get rid of the chip, ok? Not all of
    us are having a dig. Some of us want to know as much about
    Canada as we can before we arrive, so as not to offend you
    all further by our ignorance.



  7. Don't go to Carmen Trails!! Added by: Ooohh..
    [Timestamp: Wed 19 May, 20:55 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    Went there last year, and was bored to tears. Ottawa's
    even worse. Stick to BC, it's happening.



  8. real answers Added by: mickey (mickeyi@yahoo.com)
    [Timestamp: Thu 20 May, 4:05 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    Sorry for all the bullshit my fellow countrypeople are
    spewing. It seems like they are a weee bit touchy these
    days. And now for some answers to your questions.
    The summer in Canada is beautiful! The temperatures in
    places like Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto will all hover around
    25 Celsius for the months of June, July, & August. The West
    is slightly cooler, but still very nice and comfortable.
    In terms of language, you won't need French in most of
    Canada. Every province, except for Quebec, is English
    speaking. In Quebec, the majority speak French, however in
    Montreal many people are bilingual and there should be no
    problem getting around in English. In Quebec City, you may
    encounter more difficulties as everything is French, but
    again most people are friendly and will try their darndest
    to help you out.
    Hope this helps. Have a great time in Canada.



  9. Lighten up Added by: e/Bob
    [Timestamp: Thu 20 May, 4:28 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    C'mon this person's questions are a tad stupid to put it
    politley. Why not take the piss with her a bit? Is there
    no one on this TT who has a sense of humour



  10. the west is warmer Added by: jeff
    [Timestamp: Thu 20 May, 14:31 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    actually in the prairies during july-august the
    temperature is around 30C and it doesnt usually go lower
    than 20C



  11. more info! Added by: Damia
    [Timestamp: Thu 20 May, 16:35 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    Hi there!
    As some of the above posts mentioned it really depends on
    where in Canada you go as to how much French you may or may
    not need. Quebec is the biggie but there are other
    Francaphone commmunities scattered about.. some in New
    Brunswick and usually a few small towns in each province. As
    to the weather.
    Most of Canada *is* cool in the winter. However summer
    temperatures are quite nice. (usually btwn 22-35 ║C).
    However if you are coming to BC be warned that it has been
    unseasonably cool this spring and we are at around 13 -
    16/17 ║C at present on the W.coast.. This cool weather is
    affecting most of the NW from N. Orgeon to BC... but it is
    forcasted to finally start warming up next week. Ig you come
    to the West don;t forgte your umbrella and windbreaker,
    *just in case*. Here is a url to the Canadian Weather
    Network: http://www.theweathernetwork.com/



  12. hey Added by: ted
    [Timestamp: Fri 21 May, 3:39 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    canada (the southern part anyway) stays around the high 70's
    during the summer. British Columbia tends to rain a lot.
    For good nightlife go to Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver,
    but ask the locals what to do or you'll be totally lost.
    You can get away without speaking french in Quebec and the
    rest of the country doesn't give a shit about speaking
    french.



  13. Out west Added by: Canuck
    [Timestamp: Fri 21 May, 7:57 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    I must say, after reading those posts, I can see why we
    have produced so many famous comedians over the years. In
    true Canadian fashion, the sarcasm came out in full force.
    I especially like the one about Spanish/French rule. Even
    the apologizing from others was atipycal.
    In my experience the only Canadians with a chip on their
    shoulder are those in Quebec- this coming from a biligual
    Canadian who has been there 3 times.
    Have a great trip Steph, and try to pick up a little
    sarcasm while you're here.
    BC



  14. Igloos and Maple Trees Added by: Brothers-in-Law (indifferent@expat.to.ca)
    [Timestamp: Tue 25 May, 15:35 Tasmanian Standard Time]

    ...here's some 60's humour...oops..humor
    "We've got many of fine attractions in the countryside so
    pretty where the tourists can go and rubber neck
    You can see live Torontonians commuting to the city
    Or watch French Canadian separtists conspiring in Quebec
    So, Come up to Canada, come up to Canada
    your next door neighbour that is here to welcome you
    You can drink our strong Canadian booze
    See us in our igloos
    We'll put the act on especially for you
    We'll ask about your Uncle Sam and How ya' doin' in Vietnam
    We're always glad to take you by the hand
    Now 1967 should put Canada in orbit that's the year of our
    centenial you know
    And there'll be a flood of tourist, but we think we can
    absorb it
    And in 1968 we'll sit and count up all the dough
    So, come up to Canada, come up to Canada
    The young dominion where the snow's up to your knees
    We've got tons and tons of Arctic air and scores of
    Mounties everywhere
    We'll be just as Canadian as you please
    And we'll make darn sure your money doesn't freeze!!!!"
    Says it all....




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