How Slang Unified Montreal
From Saint-Michel to Côte-des-Neiges, you can hear expressions like “kespass”, “rencer” or “it's the hess” in the streets of Montreal. These terms are part of the daily conversation of young people in the city, especially those in the neighborhoods. This slang, composed mainly of a mixture of English, French, Creole, and Arabic, is increasingly criticized by Quebec politicians as contributing to the decline of French.
In a advertisement published on 15 March by the Ministry of the French Language, the Legault government raised the alarm about the use of a dialect mainly used by young Montrealers. This ad refers to the decline of the French language in Quebec and calls on Quebecers to reverse this trend. On April 21, we could see on Tik Tok and Instagram that a new restaurant was opening its doors: 514 Burger. Located on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, this snack bar offers a menu inspired by Montreal slang. On site, you can try dishes such as “pozzer”, “czi” or other “bhy gyu”. Reactions to the 514 Burger menu were mixed. So La Converse decided to welcome Montrealers to discuss the importance and nuances of the history of the Montreal slang. Between students and personalities who contributed to popularizing this slang, a dialogue begins.
Montreal culture or the Slang Of the city
It was on a Wednesday in May that this discussion began. The day comes to an end, and the last rays of the sun disappear when the studio space at La Converse receives its guests. The theme of the evening? The linguistic experience in Montreal or, more precisely, the experience of the slang of the metropolis.
When asked what characterizes slang in Montreal, the people gathered around the table all answer the same thing: a lot of what is said in Montreal is borrowed from Haitian Creole. Shreez, a rapper from Laval of Haitian origin, even exclaims: “Three quarters of the Creole dictionary are used in Montreal slang! ” A few approving laughs can be heard in the room. Taking up the ball again, Carl-Henry, a student from Saint-Léonard from Haiti, says that “the melting pot is the best way to explain how we live; we are not only in diversity, but we mix, we all live together — it goes further.” He put his two hands together to illustrate what he was saying.
“Diversity is the word that best describes our city,” continues Izzy-S. A rapper born and raised in Saint-Michel, he proudly explains how his Haitian cultural heritage has enriched not only his lyrics, but also the spoken language of the Montreal population. On the subject of the place of Creole in the Montreal language, however, he considers it useful to make a distinction: “Montreal Creole is unique, it is not like the one spoken in Haiti. For example, when you say that something is Giou, you don't speak in Creole, because in Creole, we say Gou. It's not really Creole,” he explains.
About common expressions that can be heard in Montreal, Houda, a social worker of Moroccan origin, tells an anecdote. “I work with newcomers, she starts, and many of them are young Haitians. Recently, while talking to one of them, he looked at me and interrupted me after I used the term Soumoune (curious). He asked me how I knew that term, and I explained to him that some Creole expressions were an integral part of the city's slang.”
As for the Montrealers of Haitian origin present in the room, all agree that Montreal has appropriated a Creole and adapted it to its reality over the years, while mixing French and English expressions from here and elsewhere, thus creating a speech specific to the authenticity of its community.
“Being Haitian is a struggle”
While some see the use of Creole in the slang of the metropolis as something negative, others prefer to see it as a form of love. This is the case of Carl-Henry, who recalls that being Haitian was not always something “popular.” “In the 1970s, the Haitian community was very badly treated all over the world. When I think that these people could never have imagined that speaking their language would one day be perceived as something popular, I think that's extraordinary,” he exclaims. Izzy-S adds: “Before, being Haitian was difficult. Now I think it's good that another culture embraces mine. When someone uses expressions in Creole, I see that as a form of love for my culture.”
However, others believe that nuance should be used in the use of Creole and Haitian culture. Houda does not hesitate to recall it. “I cannot speak for the Haitian community, but I think it applies to all communities. Wanting to be like Haitians today is forgetting to recognize the whole story behind what is being said. People say, “Being Haitian is cool.” They won't look at the history behind this culture. Being Haitian also comes with other discriminations,” she recalls. And his words seemed to be unanimously accepted in the room. “Being Haitian is a struggle. I am a Haitian and I am proud that the world is interested in my culture. We haven't been here since yesterday, and the fact that we have an influence in the city, he Faut recognize it,” adds Izzy-S.
“I think there is a lack of knowledge of where the terms used in the slang come from,” Houda continues. According to her, to truly embrace a culture, there must be an interest and a minimum of research to be done beyond the act of appropriating language terms. She recalls that not all users of Slang are aware of the history related to Haitian cultural identity. “The more popular it is, the more people will talk about it. As a result, there are more and more people who use Creole expressions, but who have no idea the story behind it all,” she continues.
We must embrace the uniqueness of the Montreal Slang
“In Montreal, we have a common culture,” says Sami, a young Montrealer of Algerian origin. Having grown up between the neighborhood of Anjou and the city of Oran, in Algeria, he says that “everyone from Montreal has contributed something to Montreal's culture.” “Haitians, North Africans, Latinos — we all made this culture look like us, and that gave us the beautiful city we live in! Do not want to, our cultures converge to give Montreal culture.” In the same vein, Carl-Henry intervenes. “What we have in Montreal is a unique phenomenon, it does not exist elsewhere,” he describes. “The way in which everyone speaks a bit like everyone else here is not something you will see elsewhere in the world. It is a new reality. It's normal that some people are more conservative about their culture,” he continues.
If people like Carl-Henry feel that a discussion is necessary, it is not for nothing. And while unifying terms are sometimes used to describe the city of Montreal, this is not always the case. The place that different languages occupy in Slang and the very use of Slang by many Montrealers are not always unanimous. Rappers like Izzy-S and Shreez, who have both contributed greatly to the expansion of the use of Slang, say they are not bothered by this. “Young people are surrounded by this cultural identity. They listen to our music, hang out with other young people from different cultures: it's normal for them to speak Slang. And it's normal for them to use expressions in Creole or Arabic, because that's part of Montreal's reality,” summarizes Shreez.
By evoking the fact that slang is generally used more by young people — that is, by Montrealers of generations Z and Y —, the rapper from Fabreville offers a different angle of discussion. “I think that the generation to which you belong plays a role in your appreciation of slang, and what it involves,” comments Carl-Henry. “I have a cousin a little older than me who grew up in neighborhoods in Montreal. He tells me that when he was young, Montreal was very different from what it is now. Neighborhood people lived in a more dangerous city, they had different experiences. When they see that today, some young people think it's cool to talk like that, they have a different reaction,” he says. He adds that because younger people are more comfortable with slang, they have a different relationship with slang. Before, it was more problematic for some reasons: people who lived in another Montreal therefore associate slang with more negative things.
Growing up in Saint-Michel, Izzy-S mentions that before, racism was much more present than it is today—in her neighborhood and everywhere in Montreal. “The racialized communities that experienced racism on a daily basis stood together. Today, slang and its expressions don't mean the same thing for them as for the new generations, who grew up in it,” he explains thoughtfully.
Do not associate slang with what is negative
“Just because you use this slang doesn't mean you're less professional or less intelligent. You should not associate slang with the street and with what is negative,” says Houda. The social worker believes that the Montreal slang is a treasure and an asset rather than a shameful thing to hide. While she for her part maintains that the street and the slang should be separated, Izzy-S wants to add a nuance to her words. “Just because it goes off the streets and neighborhoods doesn't mean it's a bad thing,” he adds. “When we say it comes from the street, we're referring to what is said in the informal world, outside the professional world,” he continues.
People like Shreez have nevertheless succeeded in integrating the Montreal slang into their professional activities. “I rap as I speak,” he says. In fact, as we talk in Montreal. When I go to France, I rap and I speak the same way I do here, because I want to show them where I am from. I'm not going to change my accent to please people elsewhere.” For Shreez, speaking in Slang from here is a source of pride and no one should be ashamed of it.
“The Montreal slang helped me understand Quebec French,” Sami said at the time. Having grown up between Algeria and Quebec, he says that, contrary to what is said in the media, Slang is not a threat to the French language. For him, it's a plus, an extra. “The slang has made my integration in Montreal easier. When I hear Montrealers using typical Arabic expressions, it makes me feel a bit more at home,” he says.
While several issues related to slang are mentioned, Carl-Henry discusses a subject that has not yet been addressed in the conversation. “I feel like there is starting to be a kind of disgust with slang,” he says. When you use it, it's as if you were associated with lower society.” In the room, the young Montrealer's thoughts garnered general approval. On the subject of Slang's bad reputation, Izzy-S replies: “It's the same in all the big cities. Slang is always seen as something Ratchet (rude, miserable), which we associate with something bad, with a subculture.”
Houda, on the other hand, emphasizes the good side of this colloquial speech. “There is still something comforting about slang,” begins the young woman, who grew up in Villeray. When I meet someone who speaks like me, it makes me feel something, I feel more connected with the person.” Carl-Henry, with an approving look, says: “Slang is a marker of relationship, it allows you to feel at ease with others. When I meet people who speak the same dialect, it quickly unites us. And they don't have to be Haitians for us to understand each other, that's what I think is beautiful.”
“I, the slang, am proud of it — it's what unites us”
Carl-Henry believes that living in Montreal means in particular being able to do two things: to distinguish the formal from the informal, and to be in a position to apply this distinction in communication with others. “I am a fervent defender of the Montreal slang,” he begins. But you have to know how to do both. The problem is when some people are not able to Switch.” He is referring to the Code switching, that is, when you pass from one speech to another, depending on the context in which you are. “Regardless of where you live, you have to know how to differentiate between colloquial and sustained language,” continues Izzy-S. “This is not a problem specific to Montreal. Street language can't even be written, it's not framed. These are unwritten rules,” he said.
As the evening draws to a close, the participants continue to share in an exchange that is more lively than ever. Smiles are formed on the lips, and affinities are created. At the end of the conversation, it can be understood that colloquial language has always existed and will continue to exist. Although modern slang became popular over time, many are still wondering today about its place in an ideal French-speaking Montreal. “We need to start Really embracing our culture. I, the slang, am proud of it — it's what unites us”, Izzy-S then finishes. Everyone then feels a little more comfortable, a little more themselves and a little more Montrealers.