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**strongjannabiz** · 12-13-2008, 04:42 AM

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
I have no idea if what Asher is saying is true.

What I do know is that application of Quebec's ridiculous language laws is hopelessly non-uniform and random. Yes.

Apparently something like 90% of the actionable complaints the Office de la langue francaise receives every year come from a very small handful of individuals (like a half-dozen or so).

The general idea makes sense, but I would be surprised if a handful of people filed several hundred complaints.

Most of the language laws (apart from some exceptions like the English education restrictions and highly visible things like the sign laws) are mainly symbolic, because their wholesale application would cause severe hardship to businesses who deal with the rest of North America.

There are provisions stating that dealing with other offices outside of Quebec is exempt.

So while many of you may have experience in businesses which flaunt the workplace French laws, there can be notable exceptions where the tongue troopers crack down. I'm still highly skeptical of Asher's claim.

A possibility is that someone at Ubisoft wanted a French keyboard, the company refused to provide him with one, and then complained. It's not mandatory to use French peripherals and software (the OQLF 'suggests' that companies do so), but you have to comply if an employee requests it.

12-13-2008, 04:42 AM	#18
strongjannabiz Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 465 Senior Member	Originally posted by KrazyHorse I have no idea if what Asher is saying is true. What I do know is that application of Quebec's ridiculous language laws is hopelessly non-uniform and random. Yes. Apparently something like 90% of the actionable complaints the Office de la langue francaise receives every year come from a very small handful of individuals (like a half-dozen or so). The general idea makes sense, but I would be surprised if a handful of people filed several hundred complaints. Most of the language laws (apart from some exceptions like the English education restrictions and highly visible things like the sign laws) are mainly symbolic, because their wholesale application would cause severe hardship to businesses who deal with the rest of North America. There are provisions stating that dealing with other offices outside of Quebec is exempt. So while many of you may have experience in businesses which flaunt the workplace French laws, there can be notable exceptions where the tongue troopers crack down. I'm still highly skeptical of Asher's claim. A possibility is that someone at Ubisoft wanted a French keyboard, the company refused to provide him with one, and then complained. It's not mandatory to use French peripherals and software (the OQLF 'suggests' that companies do so), but you have to comply if an employee requests it.
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