sociographiques , Vol 50, no 1 (2009) Victor
ARMONY, Le Québec aux Immigrants explained, Montréal, VLB éditeur, 2007, 205 p.
"This book is not an academic treatise or a scientific study," wrote Victor Armony in the foreword of his book, but a sociological experiment that reflects my own point of view "(p. 10). The aim of the book thus defined, we can start reading in a very interesting, amusing and illuminating the "living together" in Quebec.
In fact, this book pretentious and very affordable package is a veritable gold. There are insightful observations and reflections of a (former) immigrant in Quebec, a wealth of information on Quebec society (A person who knows), experiments and mini-original studies by a professor who has fun, analytical knowledge of a sociologist and an experienced teacher of writing. As a former immigrant to Quebec, I am confused. As a teacher in a bilingual environment, I hope there will be an English translation. It will certainly help to stimulate debate between Francophone and Anglophone students.
In a narrative style and personal Armony offers a sociological analysis of Quebec society in four stages. In the first chapter, he focuses on image Quebec's "face the world" (p. 184). By giving voice to immigrants, he addresses a fun way, the encounter between the newly arrived immigrant and host society: first impressions and misunderstandings inevitable. The author explains not only Quebec immigrants, but it also sheds light illuminating the motivations, hopes and fears of immigrants. Thus, it exposes the reality of immigrant Quebeckers who could not make this experiment. Subsequently, Armony call for Franco-Quebecers. It lets them explain, subjectivity, history, identity and their relationship, so complex, the French language. The reader becomes aware of social inequality (Quebec / France Franco-Québécois/Canadiens and English) that made the language a key element of the Quebec identity. He understands better the ambiguity of "good talk" in Quebec and the reasoning behind the language laws.
can put themselves in the shoes of a French-speaking Quebecers. At the same time, it is required to develop empathy for immigrants' language choices. Armony makes clear the stakes for some and for others. It facilitates dialogue. If the language
is at the center of the second chapter, the report Quebec / Canada English and sovereignty project are the core of the third. Without offering definitive answers to matters highly politicized, Armony addresses the fears of immigrants (of a political break, an economic downturn, etc..) And their confusion in front of two stories of history "national" fundamentally distinct. It explains the stereotypes qu'entretiennent many English Canadians vis-à-vis the Franco-Quebecers, and their vision of society. It also chronicles the ideological positions conveyed in Quebec on "federalist "And (or) English Canadians.
Armony situates these discourses in power relationships where, as in a Russian doll, the relationship between majority and minority fit into each other. Thus, the reader understands that the Franco-Quebecers, although the majority in Quebec are a minority in Canada. This report dominant structure in a major way how the Franco-Quebecers perceive and receive immigrants.
The final chapter is devoted to relations between Quebec and its internal minorities. The author focuses on Montréal as a premier intercultural relations. It
focuses primarily on the relationship between the Franco-Quebecers and the Jewish minority as a "third solitude" of Quebec. For example, if the Jews is very enlightening and justified in the context of recent debates on "reasonable accommodation". After all, the agreement on the icing of the windows made between a Montreal YMCA and a Hasidic Jewish school nearby (to prevent students from seeing women exercising in sports gear) is often cited by those who think that Quebec would have gone "too far" in its reception of religious minorities. Nevertheless, it would have been desirable in this chapter, to give more prominence to "visible minorities". Consider, for example, certain groups of francophone immigrants are racialized and marginalized despite their language skills. The absence of Aboriginal people is also striking, especially when it comes, as the author claims, the report of the Franco-Quebecers with 'the other within "(p. 184). In Quebec
explained to immigrants, the author does not, we said, definitive answers. Instead, he invites immigrants to participate in debate and building their new society. Armony offers the reader - an immigrant or not - a series of useful information about Quebec, areas for reflection and an introduction to sociological thought. He accomplished all this without boring us with a heavy academic treatise.
Elke WINTER
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Ottawa
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elke.winter @ uottawa.ca
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