Google Translate, the translation tool of the American giant, has recently updated its database and now allows users to understand all the subtleties of a language close to us: Quebec French.
Quebec French, with its unique expressions and words, can sometimes be challenging to understand for those not familiar with it. Words like chum, char, tabernak, and balado may seem foreign to some, leading to the need for subtitles when watching Quebecois films or navigating the streets of Montreal. However, Google Translate has now come to the rescue by adding Quebec French to its extensive list of languages on October 22.
To access Quebec French on Google Translate, simply visit the translategoogle.fr page and select French (Canada). This new addition allows users to explore the richness and subtlety of the French spoken in Quebec. For example, „I went on a road trip with my girlfriend“ translates to „J’ai fait un road trip avec ma blonde.“ Terms like copain (friend), voiture (car), chahuter (to roughhouse), and faire les magasins (to go shopping) become chum, char, boucaner, and magasiner in Quebec French. It’s fascinating to see how Quebecois people, who are deeply attached to their language, translate everything into French, sometimes even more rigorously than in France. For instance, popcorn is translated literally as „maïs soufflé.“
While Google Translate captures many Quebecois words and expressions, some local terms like boîte à malle (mailbox), champlure (tap), and cotteur (sidewalk) are still missing from the tool. Additionally, the tool’s voice feature does not reflect the unique Quebecois accent, as a robotic voice is used instead. An update to include the authentic accent could enhance the user experience, as the Quebecois accent is an integral part of the language and culture.
French (Canada) is not the only new language to join Google Translate. Jamaican patois, Mauritian Creole, Balinese, and Inuktut from the eastern side of the Canadian Arctic are now available on the platform. In June, 110 other languages and dialects were added, including Occitan, Breton, Punjabi (the most spoken language in Pakistan), and Manx, spoken on the Isle of Man in the UK. Google’s goal is to expand its database to include a thousand languages in the near future.
With these updates, Google Translate continues to bridge language barriers and promote linguistic diversity. Whether you’re exploring Quebec French or any other language, this powerful tool opens up a world of communication and understanding.