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WORKSHOP

Linguistic Insecurity

Understanding and Managing Linguistic Insecurity

What is linguistic insecurity? What are its causes and its consequences? How can we manage it day-to-day?

These questions were addressed in a workshop held by Cécile Sabatier, a researcher at Simon Fraser University, and Ghizlane Laghzaoui, a researcher at the University of the Fraser Valley.

In addition to the parents attending the workshop, several "Réseau jeunesse" members took part in the discussion and talked about their experience with this phenomenon, which affects not only young Francophones in linguistic minority situations, but also their parents!

Participants were able to express what linguistic insecurity means to them and how they experience this; it translates to a feeling of inferiority with respect to French -- a feeling often associated with the concepts of "good French" and "perfect mastery" of the language.

The workshop allowed participants to reflect on the factors that may cause linguistic insecurity, for example, the degree of exposure to the majority language, the real or perceived connection between language and academic success, the negative images of French among young people, or even a form of linguistic bullying.

Consequences of this phenomenon were also identified, which may include self-deprecation (as to our own linguistic performance), the deprecation of language use in our community, silence (when a speaker decides to no longer use French to avoid feelings of insecurity), and sometimes even assimilation into the linguistic majority.

The workshop leaders also addressed the myths and realities about linguistic insecurity, as well as the role of schools in the development of a positive relationship with French and language in general.

The Fédération des parents francophones thanks Ms. Sabatier and Ms. Laghzaoui for presenting this workshop, which was very thought-provoking.