Using ‘go’ to cheer on sports teams is now OK, says Quebec language watchdog

Quebec’s language watchdog, the Office québécois de la langue française, has recently shifted its stance on the use of the word “go” to cheer on sports teams. Previously, the office insisted on using the French term “allez” as the preferred expression for encouragement. However, in a new guideline published in its online dictionary, the office now acknowledges that it is “partially legitimized” to use the English word “go” in a sports context.

This change in position comes after a high-profile dispute with Montreal’s transit agency in 2024. The watchdog had pressured the agency to remove the word “go” from electronic signs on over 1,000 city buses. However, internal emails obtained through access to information legislation revealed that the office had given the transit agency permission to use “go” in June.

The controversy reached a boiling point on the eve of the Montreal Canadiens’ first playoff home game, when the transit agency replaced “Go! Canadiens Go!” with “Allez! Canadiens Allez!” to comply with the watchdog’s strict language guidelines. French-language Minister Jean-François Roberge intervened, asserting that “Go Habs Go” is a part of Quebec culture, and any future complaints about the slogan would be dismissed.

This intervention was seen as political interference by some experts, putting the language watchdog in a difficult position. Benoît Melançon, an emeritus professor of French literature at Université de Montréal, suggested that the office had to comply with the minister’s directive.

The transit agency is now deliberating whether to reintroduce the word “go” on its bus displays. A spokesperson stated that they are “beginning their reflection on the subject.”

In a statement in April, Dominique Malack, the president of the language office, acknowledged the historical significance of the slogan “Go Habs Go.” Despite this, she emphasized the importance of using exemplary French in public signage, which excludes the use of English words like “go.”

The language office’s updated position, as reflected in its online dictionary, recognizes the longstanding use of the term “go” in Quebec and deems it “partially legitimized” in common parlance. This shift in stance was prompted by the media coverage and public debate surrounding the issue.

While the transit agency had expressed reservations about removing the word “go” initially, they eventually complied with the watchdog’s directive. The agency has faced previous complaints about the use of “go” in sports slogans, but these have been resolved without major changes.

Overall, the debate over the use of “go” in sports cheers highlights the complexities of language regulation in Quebec and the delicate balance between preserving French language purity and accommodating cultural expressions.