When the Montreal Canadiens make the playoffs, the city of Montreal is collectively smiling. People have flags on their cars, the Habs are the number one conversation at the water cooler, and even the city buses have a “Go Habs Go!” mention on the front. As a Montrealer, it makes me smile, but that’s not the case for everyone.
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The Office Québécois de la langue française has told the Société de Transport de Montréal that it cannot use the chant that resonates every night at the Bell Centre on its buses’ electronic displays. From now on, the message should be “Allez Montreal Allez!”. Why do you ask? Well, because “Go” is an English word, and someone, somewhere in town, took exception and filed a complaint.
What’s next? If that person attends a Canadiens’ game, will they also file a complaint because the fans are chanting “Go Habs Go!”? I guess that wouldn’t be surprising, but what would be, however, is if the complaint was entertained, just like the one about the buses’ displays.
Being French Canadian myself, I understand the mission and importance of the OQLF, but a line has to be drawn somewhere. In Montreal, the Canadiens are the great unifier; Montrealers from all walks of life get together to support their team, whatever their job, age, origin, or language, and that shouldn’t change.
While “Go” may be an English word, French-speaking Quebecers have used it from a very young age. Who doesn’t remember racing with their friends as one of them shouted “un, deux, trois, Go!” to kick off the race?
Even those who are proud to speak French use the two-syllable word. Remember the Montreal Alouettes’ player Marc-Antoine Dequoy when the Als won the Grey Cup? Asked how he felt, he replied:
They never believed in us, you look everywhere and everything’s in English, the TSN guide said Toronto vs. Winnipeg, but you know what, man? You can keep your English, because we’re going to take those Cups and bring them back to Montreal, to Quebec, and to bring them back to our home, because we are the champions! Let’s go!!! (Those last two words weren’t translated.)-
Even Francois Legault, Quebec’s current prime minister, was elected using the slogan: “On se donne Legault”, a play on words with go.
There’s no need to be holier than the pope here. The Canadiens are in the playoffs, and the Montrealers should be left to enjoy the postseason.
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