How “Neighborhood” Arose, Changed, and Grew: A Bilingual Canadian Story

Abstract

“Neighborhood” is routinely used when referring to the history of residential areas in North American cities. In fact, it is unclear whether this has always been the preferred term, and how its meaning has changed. A survey of the English- and French-Canadian experience, including a case study of Toronto using digital newspaper files, indicates that in the early twentieth century other terms were common. “Neighborhood” referred primarily to poorer, immigrant districts. Especially since the 1960s, it has been much more commonly used and in a general sense. In that regard, its evolving meaning has converged with the francophone usage of quartier. It is only recently that local associations have dropped “ratepayer” from their names in favor of “residents” or, to a lesser extent, “neighborhood.” This now disguises the fact that such associations are dominated by property owners. Getting the language right is important for a clear-eyed understanding of both the past and the present.