This article focuses on the influence of discourses of “authority” in the construction of the ideology of one French language, discourses which are very common in the Francophone world. Emanating from linguistic “centres” and often considered as the reference and legitimate source of knowledge, these “scholarly” discourses play a major role in the construction of linguistic representations and ideologies, especially in minority contexts where the theoretical and epistemological examination of minority “objects” is often neglected in favour of more empirical studies. This article questions the role played by the linguist in minority milieus since he or she often contributes unknowingly to the stereotyping of certain practices of Francophones.