Language Quality and Norms in Francophone Television

[Harold F. Schiffman]

Forwarded from LINGUIST List 16.1969, Mon Jun 27 2005

Dissertation: The Problem of Language Quality and Norms in Francophone
Television in the Canadian Province of Quebec Analysed with Phonological
and Morphological Variables

27-Jun-2005
From: Kristin Reinke <Kristin.Reinketu-berlin.de>

The Problem of Language Quality and Norms in Francophone Television in the
Canadian Province of Quebec Analysed with Phonological and Morphological
Variables

Institution: Humboldt University, Berlin
Program: Department of Romance
Dissertation Status: Completed
Degree Date: 2003

Author: Kristin Reinke

Dissertation Title: The Problem of Language Quality and Norms in
Francophone Television in the Canadian Province of Quebec Analysed with
Phonological and Morphological Variables

Dissertation Abstract:

The issue of the linguistic quality and norm of Quebec French has, for a
long time, been a subject of controversy preoccupying both linguists and
nonlinguists alike. In recent years, the discussion has centered on
linguistic usage in audiovisual media, generally considered to be
responsible for the diffusion of an exemplary use of language. In this
regard, critics have accused the language used on television of too
closely reflecting informal language usage. However, few studies have been
undertaken on this subject and the criticisms appear to be mainly based on
value judgements.

The present study investigates the linguistic variation in French Quebec
television by analyzing 34 phonological and morphological variables based
on extralinguistic factors such as the type of television program and
station. Comparing the results obtained to those of other studies related
to ordinary or daily situations of communication indicates various points
of convergence and divergence. The latter may partly be due to the
specificity or uniqueness of the televisual mode of communication, but in
some cases, the data suggest an ongoing linguistic change.

The present results offer a better image of Quebec French. The linguistic
analysis indicates that francophone television in Quebec does indeed
fulfill its media function by diffusing a standard language model, while
at the same time, by its diversity, reflecting social and linguistic
realities. Although this model corresponds to a Quebec French standard,
the important differences observed among some of the variables analyzed
could be associated indirectly with the French of France. Since the data
suggest that the negative judgements pertaining to linguistic usage in
television should be questioned, it would now become more important to
attempt to further understand the causes underlying such perceptions.
Indeed several non linguistic characteristics were identified as possible
causes, thus pointing to the need for further interdisciplinary research.