Retailers Take Quebec Language Police to Court

whatnext · #1 Posted **Nov 18, 2012, 9:31 PM**

As well they should, to stop such foolishness:

Several major retailers are taking the Quebec government to court over the provincial language watchdog’s insistence they modify their commercial brand names to include some French.

The retailers include some of the biggest brand names in North America — Walmart, Best Buy and Costco. Their lawyers are expected in Quebec Superior Court on Thursday.

Quebec’s language watchdog, The Office Quebecois de la Langue Francaise, wants the retailers to change their signs to either give themselves a generic French name or add a slogan or explanation that reflects what it is they’re selling...
http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/11...-requirements/

Does their government think Quebeckers are too stupid to realize what Walmart sells, without an explanation?

RyeJay · #2 Posted **Nov 18, 2012, 9:40 PM**

And how is the requirement of French signs unreasonable?...

Quebec is French.

Metro-One · #3 Posted **Nov 18, 2012, 9:46 PM**

Well if they are names such as Walmart and Costco what is their French equivalent? Do we demand Japanese companies to change their names in BC?

If a company decides to change their brand to reflect local languages because they believe it will be good for sales, then that is great, but they should not be forced to do so.

If a company wants to be known by the same trademark globally, then that is OK. IKEA does not have to use an English name in BC, nor does any Japanese, Korean, Chinese, etc... company.

I am sorry, but this is just goofy and is a waste of resources and time that could be used tying to fix real problems.

Nouvellecosse · #4 Posted **Nov 18, 2012, 10:12 PM**

Just like when Walmart moved into English Canada they had to alter their name to explain that they don't specialize in selling walls.

A name is a name, not a description.

GORDBO · #5 Posted **Nov 18, 2012, 10:34 PM**

So.......Le Martwall....Le cocost. WHATEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FrAnKs · #6 Posted **Nov 18, 2012, 11:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

As well they should, to stop such foolishness:

Several major retailers are taking the Quebec government to court over the provincial language watchdog’s insistence they modify their commercial brand names to include some French.

The retailers include some of the biggest brand names in North America — Walmart, Best Buy and Costco. Their lawyers are expected in Quebec Superior Court on Thursday.

Quebec’s language watchdog, The Office Quebecois de la Langue Francaise, wants the retailers to change their signs to either give themselves a generic French name or add a slogan or explanation that reflects what it is they’re selling...
http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/11...-requirements/

Does their government think Quebeckers are too stupid to realize what Walmart sells, without an explanation?

I don't give a shit of the name!! ... the most important is if the service is in French !

What a useless battle.

Antigonish · #7 Posted **Nov 19, 2012, 12:01 AM**

Why all the fuss? Call me ignorant but when a Name/Product whatever thats French that is spoken or in an English context, it is pronounced the French way. So why can't it stay that way with the English counterpart?

Take for example, Nova Scotia. In French its Nouvelle-Écosse, why isn't it just Nova Scotia all across the board? Its Latin, not even English so why is there a translation for it, the name of the province is NOVA SCOTIA not Nouvelle-Écosse regardless of what language you speak.

Townie709 · #8 Posted **Nov 19, 2012, 12:07 AM**

Honestly, what a stupid battle. Retailers are not required to change their company names anywhere else in the world, nor should they be. As much as Quebecers would like to believe it, they are not any more important than anyone else in this country.

I am rooting for the retailers on this one.

vid · #9 Posted **Nov 19, 2012, 12:09 AM**

Walmarché. MeillAchat (meilleur achat). Soccoût (société coût).

Le Dépot du Maison or Chez Dépot, which one is spiffier?

L'égout de McDonalds.

SignalHillHiker · #10 Posted **Nov 19, 2012, 12:17 AM**

They already market in French in Quebec. Unless they're literally asking them to change their company name, then they've already complied with explaining what they do.

It sounds to me like they want McDonald's to translate "I'm lovin' it!" to French, but it already does. So I really can't see this complaint as legitimate. I'm rooting for the businesses.

The_Architect · #11 Posted **Nov 19, 2012, 12:24 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by vid

Walmarché. MeillAchat (meilleur achat). Soccoût (société coût).

Le Dépot du Maison or Chez Dépot, which one is spiffier?

L'égout de McDonalds.

Excuse me, I believe "McDonalds" is an Irish name... You need to change it to French immediately.

Seriously, language police is such a stupid thing.

vid · #12 Posted **Nov 19, 2012, 12:31 AM**

L'égout duDonalde

Donald is a Scottish name so they're basically going to have to change it completely.

RyeJay · #13 Posted **Nov 19, 2012, 1:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrAnKs

I don't give a shit of the name!! ... the most important is if the service is in French !

What a useless battle.

I agree with you that service in French is what's important. But...this is a PQ government, for whom Quebecers voted, and making French more prevalent was one of their promises to these voters. We shouldn't be surprised that the PQ is taking such actions.

I'm wondering how many businesses in Quebec, that have originated outside of the province and are branded under a different language, have chosen on their own accord to translate their brand name into French as a way to improve their image?

I wonder if there could be any sort of boycott of these stores that are suing?

Hypothetically, how much could profits be harmed from such a boycott -- versus -- the amount of money needed to upgrade the store signs?

We'll see how all of this unfolds, I suppose...

I'm very interested in what the Quebec opinion polls about this story may reveal

Metro-One · #14 Posted **Nov 19, 2012, 1:36 AM**

I am still waiting for Bombardier to change their name into english, or to add an english component to it here in English Canada

And yes, we get it that the PQ government was elected democratically, but so was the Harper government, so should that shield them from criticism as well when they do something asinine? Of course not!

Seriously, with so many other pressing issues in the world, it is pathetic that time and money is being wasted on trying to force companies to change their brand in Quebec's little bubble.

And unfortunately, stupid actions will result in stupid reactions...

SignalHillHiker · #15 Posted **Nov 19, 2012, 1:43 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrAnKs

I don't give a shit of the name!! ... the most important is if the service is in French !

What a useless battle.

I love this comment so much.

I can sense your frustration at the stupidity of this... but also you keep the firm reminder that you want service in French. Excellent.

casper · #16 Posted **Nov 19, 2012, 2:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyeJay

I agree with you that service in French is what's important. But...this is a PQ government, for whom Quebecers voted, and making French more prevalent was one of their promises to these voters. We shouldn't be surprised that the PQ is taking such actions.

I'm wondering how many businesses in Quebec, that have originated outside of the province and are branded under a different language, have chosen on their own accord to translate their brand name into French as a way to improve their image?

I wonder if there could be any sort of boycott of these stores that are suing?

Hypothetically, how much could profits be harmed from such a boycott -- versus -- the amount of money needed to upgrade the store signs?

We'll see how all of this unfolds, I suppose...

I'm very interested in what the Quebec opinion polls about this story may reveal

I suspect most people in Quebec if given the choice of Walmart changing all of their signs and raising prices or Walmart keeping everything the same not raising prices would pick the second option.

Walmart is a made-up name that is not English or French. COSTCO is the same. If you look in any english dictionary published before these companies existed you are not going to find these names.

Doug · #17 Posted **Nov 19, 2012, 2:20 AM**

Brands are language agnostic. Coke is Coke is Coke everywhere in the world just like Apple is Apple is Apple and Walmart is Walmart is Walmart. Just when the Quebec government couldn't possibly be more regressive.

RyeJay · #18 Posted **Nov 19, 2012, 2:38 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug

Brands are language agnostic. Coke is Coke is Coke everywhere in the world just like Apple is Apple is Apple and Walmart is Walmart is Walmart. Just when the Quebec government couldn't possibly be more regressive.

Je veux aller à La Boutique du Pomme pour le jeTéléphone 5!!

Why stop with signs? Product names must change as well!!

SignalHillHiker · #19 Posted **Nov 19, 2012, 2:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyeJay

jeTéléphone 5!!

Bravo, Maestro!

Andy6 · #20 Posted **Nov 19, 2012, 2:45 AM**

I demand that "Le Chateau" add the words "Women's clothing store" to all its signs in Ontario so that I can understand what it is.

French restaurants with French names must add the words "Tiny little quails served here" so I can understand what I am in for if I can overcome my fear of French long enough to patronise them.

By order of Me, the Dictator of Everything!