|
|
|
Trish
SFN Addict
USA
2102 Posts |
 Posted - 05/11/2002 : 10:54:29 [Permalink]
|
quote:
This is something I've been wondering for a very long time. You keep mentioning the 'eh', about Canadians. I don't get it.
My mother was from Canada and all my aunts and uncles. I even met a few of my Canadian relatives when I was younger, quiet a while ago but I didn't notice anything in their speech that was 'different'. I've also heard people say 'Canadian accent'. What Accent?
Maybe I was so accustom to hearing my relatives I don't know what you are talking about. What ARE you talking about? Can we clear this matter up once and for all?
Oh, one thing.....my mother was hard of hearing and would cup her hand over her ear and ask, what? all the time. Kind of like saying 'eh?' But I'm sure that's not what you mean.
Well, what part of Canada are your relatives from. The Canadian I was working for was from Sudbury. The gentleman I dealt with in Edmonton didn't use the 'eh' on the end of sentences. Neither did those few from Quebec. I've heard the 'eh' slip over into some of the speach of those from Minnesota. Perhaps, it's a regional colloquialism. I don't recall anyone from Vancouver using 'eh' either. As for the 'aboot' I'm still trying to lose that one.
---
...no one has ever found a 4.5 billion year old stone artifact (at the right geological stratum) with the words "Made by God."
No Sense of Obligation by Matt Young |
 |
|
|
Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2002 : 13:50:10 [Permalink]
|
quote:
Well, what part of Canada are your relatives from.
My mother and her immediate family were from Winnipeg, Manitoba. An aunt by marrage was from Quebec (I will dub her Bitch #3, my sister being B#1, and daughter B#2). The relativers I met were from Vancover.
quote:
Perhaps, it's a regional colloquialism.
That's what I thought.
quote:
I don't recall anyone from Vancouver using 'eh' either. As for the 'aboot' I'm still trying to lose that one.
Thanks for the conformation. As for the boot, although I've never heard it(from a Canadian), I'm thinking it sounds Scottish, which is charming. What do you mean 'trying to lose' it?
* * * * * *
*Carabao forever.
-----------------
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease
to be amused. |
|
|
|
James
SFN Regular
USA
754 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2002 : 16:32:29 [Permalink]
|
Time for a regional native to chime in...
Born and raised here in Minnesota, never heard anyone much use 'eh' before the movie Fargo came out. And I've never heard anyone say 'aboot' from anyone from Minnesota. Here it's 'about', just like most everywhere else. Only time I ever really heard 'aboot' was from a fellow recruit in the Navy who was from Great Britain.
________________________
Two more years...Two more years...Two more years...Two more years...Two more years...
*whine*
Edited by - James on 05/11/2002 16:33:08 |
|
|
|
Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2002 : 19:07:01 [Permalink]
|
quote:
Time for a regional native to chime in...
Born and raised here in Minnesota, never heard anyone much use 'eh' before the movie Fargo came out. And I've never heard anyone say 'aboot' from anyone from Minnesota. Here it's 'about', just like most everywhere else. Only time I ever really heard 'aboot' was from a fellow recruit in the Navy who was from Great Britain.
We should take a vote on this. And it looks like someone is 'pulling our leg' on this 'eh' business. Thanks James for your insightful input.
BTW, I did see 'Fargo' a few months ago when it was on TV, I don't get what all the fuss is about, claiming it's a good movie. I thought it was stupid.
* * * * * *
*Carabao forever.
-----------------
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease
to be amused. |
|
|
|
Tokyodreamer
SFN Regular
USA
1447 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2002 : 09:12:32 [Permalink]
|
I recently spoke with a tech support person from Canada who said "aboot". I'll look up exactly where from on Monday.
------------
Truth above pride and ego; truth above all |
|
|
|
Kil
Evil Skeptic
USA
13477 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2002 : 10:05:12 [Permalink]
|
It may be subtle, but I can usually pick up something about a Canadians way of talking that tells me they are Canadian. Perhaps it's because I was married to one for 12 years. I can't even point to obvious things like saying "eh" at the end of sentences as the tip off. I just hear it somehow, eh?
The Evil Skeptic
Uncertainty may make you uncomfortable. Certainty makes you ridiculous. |
|
|
|
Slater
SFN Regular
USA
1668 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2002 : 12:13:48 [Permalink]
|
quote:
I recently spoke with a tech support person from Canada who said "aboot".
Ack, just turn on HGTV which is aboot 70% Canadian shoes and listn to them tell you aboot bein ootside in the garden. Where's the moote booton on this TV?
-------
My business is to teach my aspirations to conform themselves to fact, not to try and make facts harmonize with my aspirations. ---Thomas Henry Huxley, 1860
Edited by - slater on 05/12/2002 12:14:44 |
|
|
|
Trish
SFN Addict
USA
2102 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2002 : 16:45:24 [Permalink]
|
As for the Minnesota thing, checked with a friend, she's not from Minnesota (I thought she was). So, she picked up the 'eh' thing elsewhere. She's originally from Ohio and then Chicago. Dunno where she picked it up.
As for losing the 'aboot', I just sounds strange coming from me (I grew up with a mother from back east and a father from TX).
---
...no one has ever found a 4.5 billion year old stone artifact (at the right geological stratum) with the words "Made by God."
No Sense of Obligation by Matt Young |
|
|
|
Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2002 : 23:18:06 [Permalink]
|
quote:
It may be subtle, but I can usually pick up something about a Canadians way of talking that tells me they are Canadian. Perhaps it's because I was married to one for 12 years
It's probably easier to hear the differencs...if there are any, when someone meets a Canadian and or lives with one, then to grow up with them. Like I said, hearing it all my life it didn't sound different, strange or any other way to me.
Damn, I wish my aunt who's from Quebec wasn't such a bitch and that I was speaking to her....and if she's not dead yet, I wish I could talk to her and listen for the 'accent' now. Maybe I can get in touch with my other aunt (only other living relative from who was born in Canada that I know), and talk to her. Will get back to you next week about this.
LOL, just thought of this.....Haven't seen her in a year.
*ring, ring* Hello Aunt Debbi, Will you talk to me? I want to listen to your speech pattern. (She already thinks I'm 'nuts'.)
* * * * * *
*Carabao forever.
-----------------
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease
to be amused. |
|
|
|
Lisa
SFN Regular
USA
1223 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2002 : 23:30:46 [Permalink]
|
And now back to bad movies....
Just got back from a friend's place. We watched "Deep Blue Sea". I can't believe this had a theatrical release and didn't go straight to video. Should have been called "People get munched by computer generated sharks". Fun to watch though. Get a bunch of friends together and make side bets on who's next for shark kibble.
And yes, Canadians sound a bit different. Where we vacation, its almost all Canadians and I can tell the difference in speech patterns for most of them. They say I have an American accent.
Lisa
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room.
Edited by - Lisa on 05/12/2002 23:31:41 |
|
|
|
Blair Nekkid
New Member
Canada
20 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2002 : 09:12:12 [Permalink]
|
quote:
And yes, Canadians sound a bit different. Where we vacation, its almost all Canadians and I can tell the difference in speech patterns for most of them. They say I have an American accent.
This American accent is most noticable when people pronounce "out and about" as if it was spelled "at and a bat". I first noticed this when a group of American friends were trying to get me to say "out and about" for general mirth and merriment but I persisted in saying "at and a bat" until someone wrote the phrase down. I told them if they wanted a Canadian to cooperate with the first request, they should include "Y'all" or "ain't" in the sentence. When we Canadians hear these key words we know to use the Drawl to English dictionary for accurate translation.
Cheers,
Blair
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts."
Bertrand Russell
Edited by - blair nekkid on 05/13/2002 09:13:44 |
|
|
|
Garrette
SFN Regular
USA
562 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2002 : 09:36:32 [Permalink]
|
quote:
By Blair Nekkid:
This American accent is most noticable when people pronounce "out and about" as if it was spelled "at and a bat". I first noticed this when a group of American friends were trying to get me to say "out and about" for general mirth and merriment but I persisted in saying "at and a bat" until someone wrote the phrase down. I told them if they wanted a Canadian to cooperate with the first request, they should include "Y'all" or "ain't" in the sentence. When we Canadians hear these key words we know to use the Drawl to English dictionary for accurate translation.
I take offense at this obvious insult to the American character.
Further, I propose the immediate invasion of Canada, to include the rape of Quebec. If requested, I shall lead by personal example.
Terms of surrender must unconditionally include the eternal precludement of the Iditarod from all American television programming.
My kids still love me. |
|
|
|
Blair Nekkid
New Member
Canada
20 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2002 : 10:05:37 [Permalink]
|
Your mother was a hampster and your father smells of elderberries! Now, leave at once or I shall be forced to taunt you a second time.
PS: You can have Quebec.
Cheers,
Blair
"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts."
Bertrand Russell |
|
|
|
Garrette
SFN Regular
USA
562 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2002 : 10:07:45 [Permalink]
|
quote:
PS: You can have Quebec
Hah! I am formally trained in the art of negotation.
I will take Quebec only after you take Massachusetts.
My kids still love me. |
|
|
|
jec96
Skeptic Friend
USA
61 Posts |
Posted - 05/13/2002 : 15:36:16 [Permalink]
|
Big Trouble in Little China...not just bad, but dumb bad!
-It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
Aristotle
|
|
|
 |
|
Topic Locked
