 Villeneuve Shrugs Off Linguistic Controversy Thursday June 7th, 2001
Villeneuve named the place "Newtown" - literal translation to English of 'Villeneuve' - and the Quebec residents lashed out with criticism over the usage of an English word in what is a French dominated province. "People taking offense in that made me laugh", Villeneuve told reporters on the eve of the Canadian GP. "I mean, you have to see beyond the end of your nose. It's a big world out there. Maybe it's because I spent time in Europe, where people speak three or four different languages. "I didn't grow up here, so I didn't have someone to brainwash me into thinking French is the only language that exists. There are a lot of French words in English, too. It's too bad Quebecers lose by being more French than the French," he added. However, it should be noted that while the affair provided the locals something to talk about, the visitors to Villeneuve's new establishment were there primarily in the search of the ex-World Champion himself, hoping to get an autograph or a picture. Hundreds of fans lined outside "Newtown" and Villeneuve himself duly complied and spent a lengthy time attending his fans.
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French Canadian Jacques Villeneuve laughed off in the face of controversy that erupted in Montreal this week, after the BAR driver launched his new bar-restaurant-night club.
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