ERIC Number: ED373693
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1994-Apr
Pages: 11
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Quebec and the United States: A Cross-Cultural Case Study of International Trade and International Business Communication.
Loughrin-Sacco, Steven J.
This paper comments on the lack of attention given to cross-cultural relationships between the United States and Quebec, Canada despite the growing trade relationship, and offers information on Quebec to use as cross-cultural examples in international business communication classes. The paper dispels myths concerning Quebec and its inhabitants, such as the myth that Quebec is officially a bilingual province. David Victor's LESCANT model is used in studying Quebecers, with emphasis on the Language component because Francophone Quebecers are similar to Americans and Anglophone Canadians in the other components. Quebec laws that regulate the language of the workplace, education, communication, commerce, and business are reviewed. The recurring fear of Quebecers that French language and culture will be snuffed out is described, noting that the official position of bilingualism across Canada has become a facade and that legal protection given to the French language may be the only means of safeguarding it. The implications for U.S. business people conducting business in Quebec include, among others: all business documentation such as brochures, catalogues, labels, and product directions must be in French; a French-speaking employee should handle telephone communication and business negotiations; and business letter writing should be more rhetorical and diplomatic. (JDD)
Descriptors: Bilingualism, Business Communication, Case Studies, Cross Cultural Training, Foreign Countries, French, French Canadians, Government Role, Higher Education, International Trade, Language Attitudes, Language Maintenance, Language Role, Language Usage, Legislation, Misconceptions, Official Languages, Public Policy
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers; Guides - Non-Classroom
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A