DCHP-2

French fact French Fact < French 'le fait français' DCHP-2 (October 2016)

• n. — French relations

  the existence of francophone culture and communities within Canada; usually the French fact.

  Type: 5. Frequency — The term French Fact, often preceded by the definite article, refers to the presence of a distinct francophone culture and community within Canada (see COD-2, s.v. "French fact"). It is said to derive from French "le fait francais", a direct translation of the French fact (see the 1998 quotation). Discussions of the French fact often occur in dialogue of recognition or acceptance of the French-speaking population in Canada as a distinct entity (see the 1945 quotation), especially in regards to bilingualism (see the 1978 quotation). The term French fact is also used to differentiate Canada from its US neighbour (see the 2000 quotation). As seen in Chart 1, the term is most frequently used in Canada.
  See also Gage-5, s.v. "French Fact", which is marked "Cdn.", Gage-3, s.v. "French fact", which is marked "Cdn.", COD-2, s.v. "French fact", which is marked "Cdn", and OED-3, which is marked "Canad".

  • Also as: the French-Canadian fact or our French fact.