In Montreal Saku Koivu is taking some heat because of his poor French. According to CBC News the Habs captain was criticized in front of a "reasonable accommodation" commission hearing. Apparently there is a bill in Quebec that insures people the right to be addressed in French.
The leader of the Parti Québécois, Pauline Marcois, even proposed that all non French-speaking Canadiens players should perhaps take lessons.
There are many foreign players who have had to take English lessons when coming to the NHL, not because of a law made to preserve the English language or to protect the people from being subjected to a strange language, but for the simple reason that they'd understand the coach and teammates. The interesting thing here is that in the Montreal dressing room, even though most players speak two or even three different languages, they communicate in English.
Koivu, who admits his French is sub-par at best, said that in no way should that reflect his commitment to the city of Montreal or the club. Vive le Fin!
Read more at CBC News
2 comments:
Ha ha, "Vive le Fin"! I love it!
This is just a case of a local, albeit provincial, politician who wants to grab some headlines in between referendums. The official language of the Montreal Canadiens is English and always will be English. Koivu redeemed himself (not that he needed to) a few nights later by presenting the entire Habs' roster to the fans in French. From what I heard, he got the pronounciation down too. A conspicuous PR-stunt but, nonetheless, in your face Monsieur Marcois.
Wasn't it the same clown who a few months ago, during the Worlds in Moscow, protested against Shane Doan's captaincy of Team Canada because of his alleged altercation with a Francophonic linesman? The word "desparation" does come to mind. Entertaining though, I'll give him that.
Clown is the word! Nice to see that the team and coach Carbonneau defended him, not that I expected anything less.
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