Use of French Language …

[Garry Shipton (RIP)]

Hi Mike..On a personal level,having met many French Canadian vets,,I perceive that the language on "Standing Orders" was in English.Having personally met Brig-General Dollard Menard of the Royal 22nd Regiment(the Vandoos),whose english was impeccable,I feel that all orders went to the regiments in english,where senior officers would translate them on a regimental level.Many French Canadians were trained in Ontario,and,as many relate,everything was in english,notwithstanding the racial slurs/barbs they put up during training.The language of choice in the regiments among the ranks would definitely be French.AS one example,when one of the french regiments landed on D-Day in Normandy,the locals were astounded that many of the rank's ancestors sailed from Normandy,and in many ways our guys used the same french upherisms(expressions) as the locals did.AS to the Black Watch,I know of many French Canadian vets from this regiment who joined up in Montreal.One told me he joined because he coukd wear the kilt,and in that way, would pick up de girls easier.Looking forward to other input on this subject.