English was the language of opportunity for Céline Dion

English was the language of opportunity for Céline Dion

 

Céline Dion, a Quebec native, made a living singing in French in Quebec. Céline learned how to sing in English, eventually becoming bilingual, and is now a world-renowned multibillionaire living in Las Vegas.
Would this have happened if she had continued singing only in French? I really don’t think she would have captured the lucrative U.S. market with French songs. Of course, the downside is that while she and her family may speak French at home they, most definitely, speak English when making those extremely lucrative recording and appearance deals and when dealing with fellow superstars.
Separatists are among those who are very happy that Céline is going to sing on the Plains of Abraham, although I’m not sure they’re as happy that 20 per cent of the songs will be in English.
How come Quebec separatists can celebrate the success of a Céline Dion, who sings in English, earns tons and tons of money in English and lives in the U.S. the majority of her time, while denying other Quebec children the opportunity to learn English? How come Quebec separatists don’t have a problem with separatist politicians ensuring their children learn English while denying the same opportunity to the children of the average francophone?
I have absolutely nothing against Céline Dion. She has a magnificent voice. I just wonder why it’s acceptable for some of their children to learn English but not for others. As far as I can see the dividing line is money— if you’re rich, English is OK, as opposed to being average or poor and government restricted only to French.