Monday, February 16, 2004, 20:24 GMT
Jordi,
In response to your earlier post, in one of my business classes last year we discussed how a person from the south would only have limited professional success in Paris because of prejudice against his accent. It was the opinion of many students that Parisians would consider our southern accents as provincial and not employable for top positions. Of course this perception is unfair because it is not like we go to university to learn how to grow grapes! But even in Toulouse and Montpellier the top corporations are in the hands of the northerners, so even in our own land corporate success is limited. University students have learned that speaking Parisien gives them better employment opportunities. Of course, another reason is because it's "cool". They look to Paris for the latest trends in fashion and music. That is why in my opinion bands like Massilia Sound System and the Fabulous Trobadors are good for the south because it shows the youth that it is cool to speak patois.
In response to your earlier post, in one of my business classes last year we discussed how a person from the south would only have limited professional success in Paris because of prejudice against his accent. It was the opinion of many students that Parisians would consider our southern accents as provincial and not employable for top positions. Of course this perception is unfair because it is not like we go to university to learn how to grow grapes! But even in Toulouse and Montpellier the top corporations are in the hands of the northerners, so even in our own land corporate success is limited. University students have learned that speaking Parisien gives them better employment opportunities. Of course, another reason is because it's "cool". They look to Paris for the latest trends in fashion and music. That is why in my opinion bands like Massilia Sound System and the Fabulous Trobadors are good for the south because it shows the youth that it is cool to speak patois.