Speak French or you are not our coach!

1480 · 12-20-11, 11:16 AM

Funny that this happens in this day and age

Quote:

The Quebec government isn’t pleased about the hiring of a Montreal Canadiens coach who can’t speak French.

Quote:

The hiring has created a frenzy of media reaction, including calls for a boycott of products associated with the Canadiens.

Quote:

“It is obvious that the ability for the head coach to express himself in both French and English will be a very important factor in the selection of the permanent head coach,” he said.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_yl...nscoach-french

12-20-11, 11:40 AM

I actually have no issues with this. A person who wishes a high public profile like that of Coach of the Habs should be able to communicate to the fans in the language of the majority. One cannot imagine the Toronto Maple Laughs or Vancouver Canucks hiring a head coach who only spoke French.

That said, in the end it should be a corporate decision but everything language related in La Belle Provance turns political sooner rather than later.

Penguin · 12-20-11, 11:45 AM

how stupid: "let's not hire the best man for the job if he can't speak frog!"

Even more laughable if you look at football in Europe where this is a non-issue.

vienna · 12-20-11, 01:24 PM

Let's check their roster (Name & Country of Origin):

Budaj, Peter Banska Bystrica, Czechoslovakia
Diaz, Raphael Baar, Switzerland
Eller, Lars Rodovre, Denmark
Emelin, Alexei Togliatti, USSR
Kaberle, Tomas Rakovnik, Czechoslovakia
Kostitsyn, Andrei Novopolotsk, USSR
Nokelainen, Petteri Imatra, Finland
Plekanec, Tomas Kladno, Czechoslovakia
Wwbber, Yannick Morges, Switzerland

I left off Canadians (oops, sorry, Canadiens) and players from the U.S. who would, or might, speak French. The Swiss palyers might speak French, although the dominant language is German in Switzerland. The palyers from the other countries may not speak French at all or very little. They play for the team; shouldn't they be excluded from play if they don't speak French? No, wait, they win games for Montreal. That may be the single greatest criteria for eligibility or worthiness to play. The same should hold true for the coaches...

1480 · 12-20-11, 02:17 PM

Possibly the most important Hab who ever played the game of hockey, Ken Dryden is from Hamilton Ontario. So the stars of the team do not need to habla francois but the coach must....

nikimcbee · 12-20-11, 02:25 PM

Okay, try this on:

vienna · 12-20-11, 02:25 PM

Here in Los Angeles, the Dodgers baseball team has had players from Latin America, Japan, & Korea (they may have also had one from China, but I'm not sure of that). Some of the players could not speak English and the managers and coaches did not speak the players' languages. (Tommy Lasorda sometimes had difficulty with his native English...) The team just adapts by having interpreters convey directions, or, if there was another player who spoke a particular language in addition to English, pair them with the non-English speaker. It is amzing how little language means when you are a 20 game winner or are hitting over .300...

12-20-11, 02:36 PM

Non-starter, Ken Dryden actually learned French during his time playing in Montreal. Anglo's frequently join the Hab's organization and those who stuck around often picked up French along the way. It worked the same way with Francophone kids drafted into the Anglo hockey system. We're probably more used to language requirements being part of a specific job description than in other jurisdictions.

I don't expect non-Canadians to understand why this is neither surprising nor an issue: here language and politics are inextricably entwined to a degree that baffles visitors and often ourselves. It might not make sense to foreigners but it's been a factor that has shaped this country from the beginning.

Note that none of the other Canadians on this forum have weighed in as yet, either for, against or indifferent. I'm indifferent and there is really nothing to see here in either of Canada's official languages.

Edit
I just checked the Canadian Broadcast Corporation and as suspected, this is not even a news item. The CBC is home to that national institution Hockey Night in Canada so one might think that if the story was deemed important to Canadians there might be something about it but nothing as yet. Didn't check the French language Radio Canada but it seems that it's business as usual in the Frozen North...

Bilge_Rat · 12-20-11, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1480

Funny that this happens in this day and age

what if the coach of NY yankees only spoke french or spanish, would you still find it as funny?

The issue is much wider than just the head coach, francophones have been steadily pushed out of all important positions in the Canadians' organisation even though the vast majority of fans, supporters, and ticket holders are overwhelmingly french speaking. It is not only a slap in the face but bad business.

Why don't you find out more about an issue before making blanket generalizations? All you are doing is confirming our prejudices about Americans.

Bilge_Rat · 12-20-11, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penguin

how stupid: "let's not hire the best man for the job if he can't speak frog!"

Even more laughable if you look at football in Europe where this is a non-issue.

I am a french Quebecker and to us the term "grenouille" is as offensive as the term N****R to African-Americans.

At least we proved we can kick your ass in WW2.

Bilge_Rat · 12-20-11, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randomizer

Edit
I just checked the Canadian Broadcast Corporation and as suspected, this is not even a news item. The CBC is home to that national institution Hockey Night in Canada so one might think that if the story was deemed important to Canadians there might be something about it but nothing as yet. Didn't check the French language Radio Canada but it seems that it's business as usual in the Frozen North...

Its a big issue in the French language press here in Quebec believe me....especially since the Habs are still losing all their games...

12-20-11, 04:04 PM

^ Hey, chill Bilge_Rat and imagine how Vienna would scream if his LA Dodger's hired a manager who spoke no "American" at all.

Or if Hertha BSC's new head coach spoke only Turkish just for Penguin.

This is no place to try and resolve cultural ignorance because the ignorant generally revel in their condition.

I expected it to be big on Radio Canada but it's a non-issue so far in TROC. I expect it will remain so, us Anglo's know how sacred the Hab's are and so I'm on your side here.

STEED · 12-20-11, 04:06 PM

The French have no word for soap.

Bilge_Rat · 12-20-11, 04:07 PM

ignore me, I am having a bad day. I should learn not to post when I am in a bad mood, but you know us latin types.

soopaman2 · 12-20-11, 04:11 PM

Quebec is a unique sort of place.

They do not consider themselves Canadian, and feel themselves above the rest of the nation. They even spoke of secession at times.

I do not want to ostracize them for this, as culturally they are much different from other Canadians. They are just not as civil IMHO. (just mean people, when I was there)

Reasons why are beyond me, maybe it is a deep down hate for the British influence, or maybe they are angry they are not French? I dunno.

12-20-11, 01:24 PM	#4
vienna Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Anywhere but the here & now... Posts: 7,711 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	Let's check their roster (Name & Country of Origin): Budaj, Peter Banska Bystrica, Czechoslovakia Diaz, Raphael Baar, Switzerland Eller, Lars Rodovre, Denmark Emelin, Alexei Togliatti, USSR Kaberle, Tomas Rakovnik, Czechoslovakia Kostitsyn, Andrei Novopolotsk, USSR Nokelainen, Petteri Imatra, Finland Plekanec, Tomas Kladno, Czechoslovakia Wwbber, Yannick Morges, Switzerland I left off Canadians (oops, sorry, Canadiens) and players from the U.S. who would, or might, speak French. The Swiss palyers might speak French, although the dominant language is German in Switzerland. The palyers from the other countries may not speak French at all or very little. They play for the team; shouldn't they be excluded from play if they don't speak French? No, wait, they win games for Montreal. That may be the single greatest criteria for eligibility or worthiness to play. The same should hold true for the coaches... Last edited by vienna; 12-20-11 at 02:18 PM.

12-20-11, 02:17 PM	#5
1480 Lead Slinger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chitcago, Illinoise Posts: 1,442 Downloads: 74 Uploads: 0	Possibly the most important Hab who ever played the game of hockey, Ken Dryden is from Hamilton Ontario. So the stars of the team do not need to habla francois but the coach must.... __________________

12-20-11, 02:25 PM	#6
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,952 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Okay, try this on: __________________

12-20-11, 04:06 PM	#13
STEED Lucky Jack Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Down Town UK Posts: 27,695 Downloads: 89 Uploads: 48	The French have no word for soap. __________________ Dr Who rest in peace 1963-2017. To borrow Davros saying...I NAME YOU CHIBNALL THE DESTROYER OF DR WHO YOU KILLED IT!

12-20-11, 04:07 PM	#14
Bilge_Rat Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: standing watch... Posts: 3,855 Downloads: 344 Uploads: 0	ignore me, I am having a bad day. I should learn not to post when I am in a bad mood, but you know us latin types. __________________

12-20-11, 11:40 AM	#2
Randomizer Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	I actually have no issues with this. A person who wishes a high public profile like that of Coach of the Habs should be able to communicate to the fans in the language of the majority. One cannot imagine the Toronto Maple Laughs or Vancouver Canucks hiring a head coach who only spoke French. That said, in the end it should be a corporate decision but everything language related in La Belle Provance turns political sooner rather than later.

12-20-11, 11:45 AM	#3
Penguin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Rheinische Republik Posts: 3,322 Downloads: 92 Uploads: 0	how stupid: "let's not hire the best man for the job if he can't speak frog!" Even more laughable if you look at football in Europe where this is a non-issue.

12-20-11, 02:36 PM	#8
Randomizer Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Non-starter, Ken Dryden actually learned French during his time playing in Montreal. Anglo's frequently join the Hab's organization and those who stuck around often picked up French along the way. It worked the same way with Francophone kids drafted into the Anglo hockey system. We're probably more used to language requirements being part of a specific job description than in other jurisdictions. I don't expect non-Canadians to understand why this is neither surprising nor an issue: here language and politics are inextricably entwined to a degree that baffles visitors and often ourselves. It might not make sense to foreigners but it's been a factor that has shaped this country from the beginning. Note that none of the other Canadians on this forum have weighed in as yet, either for, against or indifferent. I'm indifferent and there is really nothing to see here in either of Canada's official languages. Edit I just checked the Canadian Broadcast Corporation and as suspected, this is not even a news item. The CBC is home to that national institution Hockey Night in Canada so one might think that if the story was deemed important to Canadians there might be something about it but nothing as yet. Didn't check the French language Radio Canada but it seems that it's business as usual in the Frozen North...

12-20-11, 04:04 PM	#12
Randomizer Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	^ Hey, chill Bilge_Rat and imagine how Vienna would scream if his LA Dodger's hired a manager who spoke no "American" at all. Or if Hertha BSC's new head coach spoke only Turkish just for Penguin. This is no place to try and resolve cultural ignorance because the ignorant generally revel in their condition. I expected it to be big on Radio Canada but it's a non-issue so far in TROC. I expect it will remain so, us Anglo's know how sacred the Hab's are and so I'm on your side here.

12-20-11, 04:11 PM	#15
soopaman2 Der Alte Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey, USA Posts: 3,316 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 0	Quebec is a unique sort of place. They do not consider themselves Canadian, and feel themselves above the rest of the nation. They even spoke of secession at times. I do not want to ostracize them for this, as culturally they are much different from other Canadians. They are just not as civil IMHO. (just mean people, when I was there) Reasons why are beyond me, maybe it is a deep down hate for the British influence, or maybe they are angry they are not French? I dunno. __________________ If Hitler invaded Hell I would make at least a favourable reference to the devil in the House of Commons. -Winston Churchill- The most fascinating man in the world.