Disputed terrorities

J. S.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Disputed terrorities

A number of places are have a disputed status; in these cases would the form used vary with the opinion of the speaker? For instance, whilst Kwiziq states «au Québec» (as if it's a country), I can find «dans le Québec» being used.

Could someone manage to accidentally imply a particular opinion by using one form rather than another? (Presumably, this would apply more strongly to a less common form.)

(And in trying to find this out, I've discovered in/to Taiwan is «à Taïwan», following the rule for a city.)

Asked 4 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Jessica,

I personally have never heard 'dans le Québec' used and I am not aware that using the wrong preposition would have any political load.

Taïwan is an island and often 'à' is used for small islands -

à Cuba, à Malte 

but 

en Sicile, en Corse

Bonne Continuation!

J. S. asked:

Disputed terrorities

A number of places are have a disputed status; in these cases would the form used vary with the opinion of the speaker? For instance, whilst Kwiziq states «au Québec» (as if it's a country), I can find «dans le Québec» being used.

Could someone manage to accidentally imply a particular opinion by using one form rather than another? (Presumably, this would apply more strongly to a less common form.)

(And in trying to find this out, I've discovered in/to Taiwan is «à Taïwan», following the rule for a city.)

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