Keeping French alive in Berlin, a link to Quebec heritage

A century after waves of French-speaking Canadian immigrants arrived to work in Berlin's mills, their descendants are working to keep the language alive. Renney Morneau, president of the Berlin Historical Society, points to the French names on headstones at Mount Calvary Cemetery as evidence of that heritage. He notes that local speech still reflects a mix of French and English known as Franglais, with expressions like 'la post office' and a distinctive pronunciation of 'Sainte Anne' as 'Sainte Ohn.'

Retired English professor Rick Alger leads a monthly French practice group in Berlin that started in 2023. About 15 people attend regularly. Member Jerry Riendeau said the practice is about preserving heritage. 'We shouldn't lose it,' he said. Sharon Stephenson added that with grandparents and parents gone, she feared losing the language.

Younger generations are also learning. High school student Zalee Baker of Gorham said studying French helps her connect with her 98-year-old great-grandmother, who has reverted to her first language. Classmate Whitney Bouchard said understanding French now lets her catch what her parents say when they try to speak privately.

While the Parisian dialect taught in schools differs from the Canadian French spoken by older generations, the connection to family history remains strong.

Originally reported by NHPR.

Photo: Daniel Miller via Pexels. Photo is illustrative and not from the scene.