Anglicisms, French equivalents, and language attitudes among Quebec undergraduates

Abstract

Abstract:This article addresses the usage, knowledge, and perception of Anglicisms by the younger generation of Quebecers, namely undergraduate French-speaking students in arts, humanities, and social sciences. We compare the level of knowledge and usage of French equivalents for Anglicisms in students who discourage the usage of English in Quebec versus those who do not. A survey of more than 600 students, and descriptive and inferential statistics, reveal that Quebec students who think English borrowings should be avoided are somewhat more likely to know a French equivalent for one or more of the five English integral or hybrid borrowings 'fun', 'look' (noun), 'coach', 'condo' and 'performer' (verb), and use some of these expressions less frequently. However, we also find that students who discourage the usage of English still have limited knowledge of the French equivalent and use the English borrowing quite frequently.