The Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) has contacted Montreal restaurant Arthurs Nosh Bar regarding the use of the Yiddish word “nosh” on its storefront signage. According to OQLF spokesperson François Laberge, the agency’s intervention follows a complaint that the business failed to ensure French clearly predominates on exterior signage containing non-French trademarks, as required by updated provincial regulations.
Why is the OQLF targeting specific words like “nosh”?
The OQLF is enforcing regulations that came into effect on June 1, 2025, which mandate that French must be clearly predominant when a trademark includes words from another language. In the case of Arthurs Nosh Bar, the agency determined that the trademarked name does not contain enough French elements to meet these legal thresholds, according to owner Raegan Steinberg. Steinberg noted that while the agency categorized “Arthurs” as non-French and “Bar” as bilingual, the inclusion of the Yiddish term triggered the compliance review.
Did you know? Between April 2024 and March 2025, the OQLF conducted 9,813 inspections, nearly triple the volume of inspections performed six years ago, according to agency data.
How does this compare to previous language enforcement cases?
This dispute mirrors a 2024 encounter involving The Burgundy Lion Pub, which was questioned over the word “Burgundy” on its signage. In that instance, the OQLF eventually apologized and permitted the sign to remain unchanged after the owner, Toby Lyle, argued the name was a long-standing reference to the local neighbourhood. While the agency retreated in the Burgundy Lion case, it currently maintains that Arthurs Nosh Bar must implement corrective measures to comply with the language laws, according to Laberge.
What are the implications for small businesses in Quebec?
Small business owners face increasing pressure to balance brand identity with evolving linguistic requirements. Steinberg described the process as “frustrating,” noting that the OQLF provided limited solutions for reconciling a trademarked name with provincial signage mandates. With the government doubling the OQLF’s annual budget to $49 million since 2018, according to provincial records, the frequency of such inspections and complaints has risen, placing a heavier administrative burden on local entrepreneurs attempting to navigate the Charter of the French Language.
Pro Tips for Business Signage Compliance
- Review Trademarks: Verify if your registered trademark qualifies as a French-language element under current OQLF guidelines.
- Consult Early: Reach out to the OQLF or a legal advisor before installing new permanent exterior signage.
- Prioritize French: Ensure French descriptors clearly outweigh foreign-language terms in the same visual field to avoid non-compliance complaints.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is “nosh” considered a French word?
- No, the OQLF considers it a word in a language other than French, which triggers requirements for French-language predominance on signs.
- What happens if a business refuses to change its sign?
- The OQLF typically initiates a process of “corrective measures” to bring the business into compliance with the Charter of the French Language.
- Are complaints against businesses increasing?
- Yes. The OQLF received 10,371 complaints between April 2024 and March 2025, reflecting a broader government push to bolster French in public life.
Have you encountered challenges with signage regulations in your neighborhood? Share your experiences in the comments below or contact our newsroom to contribute to our ongoing coverage of Quebec’s business environment.
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