Vreenak: "It's a fucking faaaaaaaaaaaaake."
American and Canadian accents - Telling them apart
- Thread starter Crewman47
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Vreenak: "It's a fucking faaaaaaaaaaaaake."
As a Canadian, I can tell you that I often can't tell the difference between a typical Canadian accent and a "neutral" American one (by which I mean the kind you'll more than likely hear characters using on American TV shows). I find that there's a wider variety of accents in America (i.e. Texas accents, Alabama accents, "Brooklyn" New York accents, etc.). In Canada, people from Newfoundland might have a bit more of the stereotypical Canadian accent that some people seem to think we all have, though it's probably not as exaggerated as some might expect. Keep in mind, this is from my perspective as someone in southern Ontario; perhaps further west it's a little different (I haven't been to any western provinces in many years, excluding Manitoba).
One thing I do know is that I've never heard a Canadian say "oot" and "aboot". So for anyone who claims we pronounce "out" and "about" like that, well, as Nick said, that's a fucking lie. As for "Zed", yeah, a lot of Canadians say that, but I never have. I've always said "Zee". I guess I'm a bad Canadian (but I already knew that -- I don't even like hockey!) With the "eh" thing... again, it's probably been exaggerated (as many stereotypes are), but I've found myself saying, and typing, it fairly often, so there may be a hint of truth to that one.
One thing I do know is that I've never heard a Canadian say "oot" and "aboot". So for anyone who claims we pronounce "out" and "about" like that, well, as Nick said, that's a fucking lie. As for "Zed", yeah, a lot of Canadians say that, but I never have. I've always said "Zee". I guess I'm a bad Canadian (but I already knew that -- I don't even like hockey!) With the "eh" thing... again, it's probably been exaggerated (as many stereotypes are), but I've found myself saying, and typing, it fairly often, so there may be a hint of truth to that one.
I had several Canadian friends growing up, and they all said "Sore-ee" whereas the American pronunciation is usually "Saw-ree." A few said "oot and aboot" but not all.
The usual joke about the difference between Americans and Canadians was that, if some kids were hanging out near a man's beloved car, the response would be:
American: "Hey! Get away from my car!"
Canadian: "Get away from my car, eh?"
or
If you were in the grocery store and rammed your shopping cart into an American's cart, they'd turn and say, "What the hell is wrong with you?!"
The Canadian would simply turn and say, "Oh, sorry!"
The usual joke about the difference between Americans and Canadians was that, if some kids were hanging out near a man's beloved car, the response would be:
American: "Hey! Get away from my car!"
Canadian: "Get away from my car, eh?"
or
If you were in the grocery store and rammed your shopping cart into an American's cart, they'd turn and say, "What the hell is wrong with you?!"
The Canadian would simply turn and say, "Oh, sorry!"
Pretty much. I generally say "northern accent" to describe the sort of general Canadian/Great Lakes accent (like my Aunt in Minnesota). I realize that Canada probably isn't that simplistic, but, as I don't live in Canada, I don't know enough about it. Generally speaking, the o is slightly elongated. Nothing too dramatic, but noticeable if you listen for it.
Let's complicate this some more. I pronounce them differently. Whether I picked that up from someone somewhere, if it's a Philly area thing, or if it's an American thing, I have no idea. But I wouldn't use that as a litmus test.
See?
Soorry and tomoorrow are the words that usually out a Canadian for me as well.
It is a lie. You say "oat and aboat".
TheLonelySquire
Vice Admiral
One thing to keep in mind is that there is no one "American" or "Canadian" accent. There are fewer regional variations in both countries than there are in the United Kingdom, but variations do exist. If you spoke to someone from the southern United States, and then to someone from Newfoundland, you'd hear the difference right away.
That said--the "zed" test should work in most cases.
Another small difference to listen for is the way Canadians pronounce their "o" and "ou" sounds.
When I say "out" and "house," it comes out sounding like "oat" and "hoase," even to my own ears. While to a lot of Americans, apparently, it sounds like "oot" and "hoose".
EDIT--God damn you people type quickly.
There are three distinct accents within a 90 mile radius of where I live. Boston, Providence and New York sound totally diferent.
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Well, I've heard canuckistanians say "oot" and "aboot", and "ut" and "abut", and if you haven't you can say I misheard or have a tin ear, but "fucking lie" is a different matter.
If I said I hadn't heard those things (hell, try Michael Shanks in *lots* of SG1 episodes for a widely-seen example) then I'd be fucking lying.
If I said I hadn't heard those things (hell, try Michael Shanks in *lots* of SG1 episodes for a widely-seen example) then I'd be fucking lying.
This is entirely false stereotype garbage. In my life, all 29 years in Canada, I have never heard a single person say "aboot." Not once.
Now the use of "eh," absolutely. It's very handy to turn any sentence into a question, eh?
This is entirely false stereotype garbage. In my life, all 29 years in Canada, I have never heard a single person say "aboot." Not once.
Over exaggerating saying we say it like "a boot" is, yes, a joke. We do, in many regions, however, pronounce 'ou' sounds like ''oa", so about becomes "a boat" (and yes, I am one who does pronounce it "a boat").
Ok, eh?
Most of my friends here believe that I say "eh" more than any Canadian they've ever met.
My mother thinks I sound Canadian, after 12 years living in Ontario. Most Canadians here could pick me out as a Yank if I said a couple of sentences. I know there are certain sounds that are giveaways for my native accent, southest Pennsylvania, like my long "o" sounds. Plus, when I say, "Can I have a glass of wooder?"
Nardpuncher
Rear Admiral
Another Canadinan here that's never said or heard "aboot".
I also say Zee because it keeps the alphabet more uniform, with all of them but W being a single syllable or whatnot.
I think "eh" is one of those things that many Canadians should avoid saying too often as it seems to me like a lazy verbal affectation , like the teenage girls that say "like" 20 times a minute.
I also say Zee because it keeps the alphabet more uniform, with all of them but W being a single syllable or whatnot.
I think "eh" is one of those things that many Canadians should avoid saying too often as it seems to me like a lazy verbal affectation , like the teenage girls that say "like" 20 times a minute.
My brother, who's studied this stuff as a hobby for a few years, tells me people from Saskatoon also have much more of a lilt as well, though I have no idea how accurate that is...
And for what it's worth, I cringe when I hear someone say Zee instead of Zed. It's painful to my ears.
It is - the SK accent has a lot more in common with Minnesota/ North Dakota than with Ontario.
I am American and live in Canada so I can tell the difference, especially my hometown Buffalo accent. Sometimes, I turn my accent on to bother Canadians and they ask me "what is a thruway", lulz, and they kinda laugh at how I saw "bodies".
Obviously you never watched Peter Jennings anchor the ABC News for over 15 years. He did it at least once during every broadcast.
--Ted
I think it's just different enough to Americans that the ou sound sounds like a long "oo". It's not explicitly the "oo" sound being pronounced though.
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