Joual

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Joual (French pronunciation: [ʒwal]) is an accepted name for the linguistic features of Quebec French that are associated with the French-speaking working class in Montreal which has become a symbol of national identity for some. Joual has historically been stigmatized by some, and celebrated by others.[1] While Joual is often considered a sociolect of the Québécois working class,[2] many feel that perception is outdated, with Joual becoming increasingly present in the arts.[1]

Speakers of Quebec French from outside Montreal usually have other names to identify their speech, such as Magoua in Trois-Rivières, and Chaouin south of Trois-Rivières. Linguists tend to eschew this term, but historically some have reserved the term Joual for the variant of Quebec French spoken in Montreal.[3]

Both the upward socio-economic mobility among the Québécois, and a cultural renaissance around Joual connected to the Quiet Revolution in the Montreal East-End have resulted in Joual being spoken by people across the educational and economic spectrum. Today, many Québécois who were raised in Quebec during the 20th century (command of English notwithstanding) can understand and speak at least some Joual. Joual is also commonly spoken in a few Francophone communities in Ontario, such as Hearst.

  1. ^ a b "Joual | l'Encyclopédie Canadienne". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  2. ^ "L'essentiel à connaître sur le Joual" (in French). Retrieved 2023-02-01.
  3. ^ Gilles Lefebvre, «Faut-il miser sur le joual?» Le Devoir 1965, 30 octobre; «L'étude de la culture: la linguistique.» Recherche sociographiques 3:1–2.233–249, 1962; Henri Wittmann, 1973. «Le joual, c'est-tu un créole?» La Linguistique 1973, 9:2.83–93.[1]