Joshua Biasotto, a native of Saint-Marc-des-Carrières, Quebec, cherished watching The Simpsons in Québécois French during his upbringing in Quebec. He not only admired the show’s distinct characters, witty humor, and satirical approach to life but also developed a strong affection for Quebec dubbing, recognizing each voice actor’s role.
However, after a 35-year run, Corus Entertainment’s Télétoon, the broadcaster with Canadian rights for The Simpsons and responsible for its Québécois dubbing, opted not to renew the rights for the 36th season, endangering the future of Les Simpson.
Concerned about losing a significant part of Quebec’s identity, Biasotto took action by launching an online petition on Change.org named Sauvons le doublage québécois des Simpsons, translating to “Let’s save the Quebec dub of The Simpsons.”
The Quebec version of the show was cherished for incorporating local expressions and cultural references, giving it a unique and familiar feel. Characters spoke with regional Quebec accents, including the colloquial dialect of joual, while American elements were swapped with local references in episodes.
Quebec’s Deputy Premier, Ian Lafrenière, voiced support for saving the Quebec version of the show, emphasizing its cultural and geographical significance as “sublime.” The public outcry to preserve Les Simpson highlighted the broader importance of dubbing in Quebec, aligning entertainment with the province’s language and culture.
Dubbing as Quebec identity
Daniel Béland, Director of the McGill Institute for the Study of Canada, highlighted the long-standing tradition in Quebec of dubbing foreign entertainment to resonate with local audiences. The dubbing industry in Quebec emerged post-Second World War, providing viewers with a familiar experience by adapting international content into their language with recognizable voices and cultural references.
French-language content from France often felt foreign to Quebec audiences due to the province’s unique culture and language. Dubbing goes beyond literal translation, especially concerning humor, which needs adaptation to resonate with local viewers.
Quebec, with a predominantly French-speaking population, views dubbing as vital in preserving its mother tongue amidst a predominantly English-speaking environment. The return of Les Simpson following fan activism signifies not just the show’s popularity but also the resilience of Quebec’s dubbing industry.
For the voice actors, it was personal
The potential loss of Les Simpson sparked a significant reaction in Quebec, with voice actor Thiéry Dubé likening the show’s importance to Quebec culture to a staple like poutine. The uncertainty surrounding the show’s future compounded the loss of key team members, making the situation emotionally challenging.
However, the overwhelming support from fans uplifted the spirits of the voice actors, who felt touched by the community’s dedication to preserving the Quebec version of the show.
Bringing Les Simpson back
Biasotto’s successful petition, garnering over 35,000 signatures, led to the revival of Les Simpson in May through a partnership between Bell Media and Disney Entertainment. The new season is scheduled to premiere on Noovo on September 9, marking a triumph for Quebec’s dubbing industry and loyal fans.
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