[mastazi]

Learning a second language is a great thing - your mind becomes more flexible and you get access to movies, books and songs which you wouldn't be able to enjoy otherwise - having to cope with language laws, though, sucks big time.

[seanmcdirmid]

Yes, I know mandarin and English. Wait, I have to learn French also? Pass.

I had the same problem in Lausanne, though French wasn't required for my job. I just couldn't completely devote myself to my research AND learn another language concurrently.

[mastazi]

> Yes, I know mandarin and English. Wait, I have to learn French also? Pass.

Is there a government that makes it mandatory? Because otherwise we're not talking about the same thing. I speak 4 languages and I learned each of them for different reasons... None of which was "because otherwise I would be breaking the law".

[Kluny]

All services that serve Quebec have to be available in french. So if you're making an application front end, you have to provide a french version even if your userbase doesn't care. It's just extra overhead.

[Apocryphon]

Well, localization is good practice and something that should be supported already. But I think it's more like the Quebecois language laws mandate bilingualism in the workplace, which is a greater hassle.

[john_fushi]

It's really that speaking french in a predominantly french region shouldn't stop you from getting a job you have every competencies to achieve. That's why the law can go into absurd territory(e.g. having only english equipment cannot be a valid reason to refuse employment to a francophone).

But then again, most of the law only applies once your business reach a certain number of employees(30 I think)