Dictionary of Canadian French

Ronald Henry is director of the School of Translators and Interpreters
at Laurentian University.

This is really a bilingual glossary of Canadian French compiled for the
general public. It lists words and expressions not to be found in
dictionaries of standard French.

Many of the words comprising the small proportion of Quebec or Canadian
French terms that differ from standard French fall into three main
categories: archaisms, loan words, and Canadianisms. Unfortunately, this
book provides no such information. It is, however, purported to list
“the most useful words and expressions used in Quebec.” One,
therefore, wonders why such words as crigne (mane), fouillon (snout),
louter (to lift up) are included.

The dictionary is at times confusing and inconsistent. For example, it
states that the middle column in the glossary indicates the French used
in France, and that italics show no European equivalent exists, or that
it is rarely used in Quebec. However, the reader may be perplexed when
the European myrtille (blueberry) is italicized but not the terrain а
myrtille (blueberry patch).

The lexicological practice of citing words in context lists terms under
headings (e.g., Animals, School, Miscellaneous). However, the absence of
definitions and indications of vulgar usage could lead to embarrassment.

This is an entertaining book, and it does demonstrate the richness of
the language, but it is akin to “se faire passer un québec: to get
one’s leg pulled, to be sold a bum steer [sic].”