Global Outcry Over Latest "Pastagate" Scandal Involving the Term "Go"

The Quebec Office of the French Language (OQLF): When you're gaming the field, it's not just a simple drive, it's a high-speed stunt through a curve.

In the spotlight this week is the OQLF. You might remember them from the infamous 'Pastagate' incident. Now they're back, driving a new controversy that's making waves across the nation.

The latest fiasco? Buses in Montreal sporting English words on their front display boards. Those words: "GO ! CF MTL GO!" The issue? It's an English word – "Go".

The OQLF, presenting a clear and present danger to linguistic harmony, flagged the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) for their linguistic folly. In response, the STM corrected its course and replaced "Go" with "Allez! CF Montréal Allez!" in a bid to appease the French language guardians.

As a result, you'll find "Allez! Canadiens Allez!" splashed across the stadium, to cheer on the local hockey team. But why did the STM shy away from "Go! Habs Go!"? Fear of OQLF reprimands, of course.

Take a peek at The Gazette's headline: "No Habs No: Quebec orders STM to drop 'Go' from bus messages because it's an English word." Masterful wordplay, I must say.

This mind-boggling news will soon go viral, leaving us Quebecers looking like we're more interested in linguistic nitpicking than supporting our teams.

Now, the word "Go" might not be French, but it's widely understood. In our linguistically colorful province, where French and English intermingle, everyone gets the gist of "Go".

But according to the Quebec Party (PQ), there's a problem. Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, their leader, has been using the #GoHabsGo hashtag to rally the troops. Quebec's premier, Legault, leads a party that's already stumbled over their own linguistic faux pas, and yet, here we are.

enter Catherine Gentilcore, the PQ's linguistic critic who argues that worrying about "Go" is a minor concern compared to the French language's more pressing problems. But gently disagree, MGentilcore, "Allez! Montreal Allez!" is not a real phrase, it simply doesn't exist in common usage.

While echoing fan cheers in French stadiums might be a fun exercise, "Allez! Canadiens Allez!" sounds like a phrase concocted by an overzealous language guardian at an algorithmic kegger.

The real gem, though, is "Go Habs Go". A chant that unites Quebecers, known and sung by crowds bursting with enthusiasm. "Go" – everyone understands it. "Habs"? Short for the older nickname "Habitant" linked to the Montreal Canadiens, it represents our French-speaking roots and was a term used fondly by English-speakers.

Truth be told, the OQLF's focus on the English word "Go" feels a bit misguided. Yes, we are a semi-French nation, but we're also a nation in which English and French coexist harmoniously. And the OQLF's excessive zeal is no stranger to causing embarrassment and confusion beyond our borders.

To the OQLF, the word "Go" demanded the STM's attention. But let's be honest, it's just silly. The overseeing of language regulations can sometimes become infected by the excess of zeal. And though I could expound on this topic, I'll refrain.

A small nation like Quebec has chosen to uphold laws to protect and celebrate its French language identity. And while there might be inconsistencies, the OQLF is the body we've entrusted to carry out this task. But like any watchdog, they can occasionally overstep their boundaries.

After all, we're Quebecers, and the spirit of our identity is vibrant and resilient. "Go Habs Go" stands as a testament to that spirit, a chant that will continue to unite us, regardless of the OQLF's meddling. "Go" symbolizes hope, while "Habs" represents our shared history – it's a declaration of our Québécisme.

So, fear not, Quebecers, for our spirit remains unbroken. Let's focus on the game, and let "Go Habs Go" continue to reverberate through the ages.

The OQLF's focus on the English word "Go" in bus messages, despite it being widely understood, has sparked debate, with some arguing it's a minor concern compared to more pressing issues.
In the French-English linguistically colorful province of Quebec, the word "transport" could serve as a synonym for "Go" in the context of bus messages, symbolizing movement and direction, thereby emphasizing the need for linguistic harmony without limiting the use of common terms.
The Quebec Party, led by Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, has been using the "#GoHabsGo" hashtag on social media, showcasing the unity and passion for their teams that the chant embodies, regardless of linguistic boundaries.
Kudos to the Quebecers who recognize the importance of maintaining a French-English balance while celebrating pop-culture references like "Go Habs Go", a phrase that represents their Québécisme and will continue to resonate as a symbol of their vibrant spirit and resilient identity.