Quebec’s Language Authorities Approve Use of "Go" for Sports Cheers
Quebec’s often-debated language regulators have ruled that the English word “go” is acceptable for cheering on sports teams, allowing fans—and Montreal’s public transit system—to use it without concern over legal repercussions.
According to reports, the Office Québécois de la Langue Française (OQLF) recently stated that “go” is now “partially legitimized,” though it still recommends the French equivalent, “allez.”
The decision comes amid ongoing efforts to uphold the use of French in the province.
Earlier this year, the Montreal Canadiens hockey team played their first playoff home game when the transit authority displayed the phrase “Go! Canadiens Go!” on digital signs across 1,000 buses. The OQLF initially objected, asking for the word “go” to be removed to comply with language laws. The transit agency complied, replacing the slogan with “Allez! Canadiens Allez!”
Following coverage by *CuriosityNews*, French-language minister Jean-François Roberge stepped in, stating that “Go Habs Go” is part of Quebec’s cultural lexicon and promising to disregard future complaints about the phrase. The Canadiens, Canada’s oldest professional hockey team, are often called the “Habs,” a nod to *les habitants*, the French settlers of Quebec in the 17th century.
Quebec’s strict language policies have drawn attention before.
In 2022, a bar owner received a warning from the OQLF after a complaint alleged his establishment’s Facebook page lacked sufficient French content. “All consumers have the right to be informed and served in French in Quebec,” the OQLF stated at the time.
In 2019, the government proposed banning the common greeting “Bonjour-hi” but reversed course following public criticism.
Perhaps the most infamous case occurred in 2013 when an Italian restaurant, Buonanotte, was penalized for listing “pasta” and “bottiglia” (Italian for bottle) on its menu instead of French terms. The controversy, dubbed “pasta-gate,” led to the resignation of the OQLF’s head within a month.
Reports indicate that in both 2021 and 2023, the OQLF received complaints about the use of “go” in cheers for the Canadiens. The agency acknowledged that “go” is a borrowed English term with established usage, but it advises public institutions to favor French alternatives.
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