Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay After Wolfe defeated Montcalm on the Plains of Abraham in 1759, the victorious British fully expected that the French of Quebec would quit speaking French and become Anglophones. Eighty years later in 1839, Lord Durham advised that being patient with the backward French Quebeckers would be the best policy, for they would … Continue reading The stubborn refusal of French people to stop speaking French
immigration
Who let these people in?
There is a fine Christian lady doctor of our acquaintance who believes Canada is letting in way too many people from Asia and Africa. She is originally from South Africa, but left when black people were allowed to form the government. She fears for Canada's future. She's wrong of course. The native people of Canada … Continue reading Who let these people in?
Peace in time of war
There are four main religious groups in Lebanon: Maronite Christians, descended from the old Syriac church and united with the Roman Catholic Church, yet maintaining some of the old ways, including a married priesthood; Shiite Muslims; Sunni Muslims and Greek Orthodox. A power sharing agreement was worked out after the Second World War that worked … Continue reading Peace in time of war
Why learn French?
The World Almanac says that there are only 70 million French-speaking people in the world. That's not very significant, why should I bother learning it? Not so fast! If you look closely, the World Almanac is giving the estimated number of people for whom French is their mother tongue (even at that it is questionable, … Continue reading Why learn French?
Flatlander Faith 