A Montreal bakery has received a complaint from Quebec's language watchdog for using too much English in its TikTok content, raising concerns about compliance with the province's French language charter.
Lamajoune Villeray Bakery, a family-owned establishment in Montreal, has found itself at the center of a controversy after receiving a notice from Quebec's Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF). The complaint revolves around the bakery's use of English in TikTok videos, which the OQLF claims does not align with the province's language charter that mandates French be the principal language used in all commercial communications. The bakery, renowned for its Armenian pastries and operating for four decades, expressed its shock and concern over the notice, given their commitment to serving customers in both French and English.
The bakery's owner, Charbel Hannan, conveyed the family's disbelief upon receiving the letter, emphasizing that their intention has always been to respect and promote the French language. They have always strived to cater to the bilingual nature of their clientele and never intended to undermine the importance of French in their business communications. Hannan pointed out that they consider themselves Québécois and have been loyal participants in the local culture, consistently engaging the community in two languages.
This incident brings to light ongoing tensions in Quebec regarding the use of language in public life and commerce, particularly in the context of maintaining the French language's prominence amid a diverse linguistic landscape. The implications for the bakery could be significant, as non-compliance with the language charter may result in penalties, drawing attention not just to their business practices but also to the broader implications of language policy enforcement in the province.
