Janick holds an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Second Language Teaching, French as a Second Language, and a Minor in French Literature from the University of Ottawa. She also completed the Teacher Education (BEd) program for the intermediate/senior division in French, first language, and History. For her MA in Bilingualism Studies, she chose the thesis option.
Thesis abstract | Les pratiques langagières de familles immigrantes après l’adoption de la Loi 14 : une étude sociolinguistique en Outaouais
In a multilingual setting, language policy that imposes a single language appears to have an effect on family dynamics. Quebec’s Bill 14 (2022), which requires that immigrants use French exclusively after six months’ residence, represents a monolingual approach in spite of growing linguistic diversity. This dichotomy between restrictive language policies and a multilingual demographic reality raises questions about potential language discrimination.
Interprovincial mobility, a strong appreciation of bilingualism and welcoming of immigrant families are characteristics of the Outaouais region, which neighbours the National Capital Region, including the regional county municipalities (RCM) of Papineau and Argenteuil. Nevertheless, applied linguistic studies have dealt mainly with the situation in Ottawa. That is why this region is fertile ground for studying linguistics familial dynamics in a multilingual setting. Therefore, the region’s sociolinguistic environment could possibly have a considerable impact on immigrant families’ experience.
This project addresses a question: What are immigrant families’ language practices in response to Bill 14 in West Quebec? To answer it, four objectives have been set:
- Considering the migration journeys of immigrant families in the Outaouais region, and the RCM of Papineau and Argenteuil
- Documenting the declared and observed language practices as well as the language experiences of these families in their private and public lives
- Documenting these families’ discourse regarding Bill 14 within the specific sociolinguistic environment of the Outaouais region, and the RCM of Papineau and Argenteuil
- Highlighting linguistic ideologies by studying practices, experiences and discourses
Reaching one’s full potential
During her studies, Janick saw that the Master’s in Bilingualism Studies opened the door to many rewarding professional opportunities. Her jobs included Teaching and Research Assistant, Part-Time Professor in French as a Second Language, as well Editorial Assistant for OLBI Journal. In the latter position, she got to know all about the process of publishing scholarly articles (review, editing, publishing online, etc.). Thus, her academic path allowed her to gain professional experience that was as rich as it was varied.
Janick mentions the quality of teaching and mentorship she received at OLBI, the Institute’s collaborative spirit and the broad availability of its renowned professors. For her, the Master’s in Bilingualism Studies can lead to a variety of fields. It also enables a greater understanding of the day-to-day role of languages.
Funding and future plans
Janick has received $51,500 in scholarships for study and research in French, including the Faculty of Arts merit admission scholarship, the Michel Prévost Bursary in Regional Studies, and the SSHRC Canada Graduate Research Scholarship.
She’ll defend her thesis this fall. She plans to begin a Doctorate in Literature at the uOttawa Faculty of Arts, continuing her research while drawing connections to Quebec literature. When not writing her thesis, Janick works as a Part-Time Lecturer at OLBI and teaches French in Ontario high schools.
Talks and conferences participation
This year, Janick has taken part in these events:
- CCERBAL Research Forum, Ottawa (May 22)
- ACLA Annual Conference, Edmonton (May 26)
- Videoconference with Dialogue Network, co-presenting with Professor Catherine Levasseur a research project titled Accroître l’inclusion des jeunes issus de l’immersion française au sein des collectivités francophones et acadiennes : une responsabilité partagée (In French only), dealing with French in a minority setting (June 11)
- Multidisciplinary Approaches in Language Policy and Planning LPP Conference, organized jointly by Carleton University and the University of Ottawa in Ottawa (June 17 to 19)