Pure laine: Difference between revisions

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	The ] term '''pur laine''' (also rendered as '''pure laine'''), literally meaning ''pure wool'' (and often interpreted as ''true blue'' or ''dyed-in-the-wool''), is a politically and culturally charged phrase referring to the ] ] of a "pure French race" being the original ancestors of the ].		The ] term '''pur laine''' (also rendered as '''pure laine'''), literally meaning ''pure wool'' (and often interpreted as ''true blue'' or ''dyed-in-the-wool''), is a politically and culturally charged phrase referring to the ] ] of a "pure French race" being the original ancestors of the ]. Another similar term is '''de vraie souche''' (roughly in English, ''old stock'').

	While many French-Canadians are able to trace their ancestry back to the original settlers of ], most are descended from intermarriages between the ] and ] settlers, as well as with the ] and to a lesser extent with the ]. (It has been estimated that some 50% of francophone Quebeckers have some aboriginal ancestry). Many ] people settled in the region as well and were ultimately assimilated into the francophone civilization, often through intermarriage with the French-Canadians. Such intermarriages continued well into the 19th and early 20th centuries.		While many French-Canadians are able to trace their ancestry back to the original settlers of ], most are descended from intermarriages between the ] and ] settlers, as well as with the ] and to a lesser extent with the ]. (It has been estimated that some 50% of francophone Quebeckers have some aboriginal ancestry). Many ] people settled in the region as well and were ultimately assimilated into the francophone civilization, often through intermarriage with the French-Canadians. Such intermarriages continued well into the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Revision as of 15:10, 16 June 2007

It has been suggested that this article be merged with Quebec nationalism. (Discuss) Proposed since March 2007.

The French term pur laine (also rendered as pure laine), literally meaning pure wool (and often interpreted as true blue or dyed-in-the-wool), is a politically and culturally charged phrase referring to the nationalist myth of a "pure French race" being the original ancestors of the French-Canadians. Another similar term is de vraie souche (roughly in English, old stock).

While many French-Canadians are able to trace their ancestry back to the original settlers of New France, most are descended from intermarriages between the French and Irish settlers, as well as with the Scots and to a lesser extent with the aboriginal peoples. (It has been estimated that some 50% of francophone Quebeckers have some aboriginal ancestry). Many English people settled in the region as well and were ultimately assimilated into the francophone civilization, often through intermarriage with the French-Canadians. Such intermarriages continued well into the 19th and early 20th centuries.

For such reasons, the use of this phrase is largely deprecated today. However, some commentators in the English-language media such as Brigitte Pellerin of the Ottawa Citizen and Jan Wong of The Globe and Mail continue to use the term despite this fact.

Saint-Jean-Baptiste Society President Jean Dorion has declared "There is no obsession for racial purity in Quebec, definitely not. The expression 'pure laine' is absolutely obsolete."

While not inherently racist or offensive, it is sometimes interpreted as such, as it implies that one is superior to the other, similar to those in the United States who are descended from or who claim descent from the original English settlers of the Mayflower.

References

^ "Charest seeks Globe apology over notion culture a factor in school shootings" by the Canadian Press, The Gazette, September 19, 2006, retrieved September 20, 2006
"Les « pures laines » coupables ?" by Antoine Robitaille, La Presse, September 19, 2006.
Don't faint, I'm siding with a separatist
L'affaire Wong' becomes talk of Quebec

Revision as of 15:10, 16 June 2007

References

Further reading