Will I get an accent - ?
 

So, I'm moving to Ontario on Friday to live with my girlfriend.

In your opinion and experience, is likely that my accent will change over time? Dramatically or just a little? How long might it take?

Or, at 35 years old, is my English accent likely to be worn too deep to change?

Re: Will I get an accent - ?
 

Well depends if you have a strong accent in the first place, and how much you can bother to keep explaining yourself because they ( the locals) don't understand the sounds you are making

Re: Will I get an accent - ?
 

Actually you have little choice in the matter unless you specifically went for elocution lessons.

I emmigrated to Canada with my parents when I was 7. I lost my Scottish accent and had a Canadian one within a few years. Other immigrants I grew up with who were 10-12 when they arrived still have their original accent 30-40-50 years later.

There seems to be an age at which your accent will change and it is quite young. There is also an age at which your accent 'locks in' and it is also quite young. At 35 you won't ever lose your accent. It may soften after many years but it will never be a Canadian accent. Sorry. :)

What I think Grah is referring to is the use of regional coloquialisms that you may now use in everyday speech not being known to Canadians. So you will find the vocabulary you use in everyday speech changing. You will use more of the proper English words for things in order to be understood.

As for the comment about strong accents, what is a weak accent? To a Canadian all UK accents are strong. Perhaps what Grah is referring to is how say an Oxford grad speaks versus a Brommie dole blodger. But that is about vocabulary not accent.

Re: Will I get an accent - ?
 

Too true. I don't think that I have have strong British accent, but here in Calgary I might as well have come from another planet.

Vocabulary can also be an issue. Spent 10 minutes this afternoon trying to explain what a hob was to a sales person in a show home. Ah "cooktop" came the reply as realisation hit.

Re: Will I get an accent - ?
 

Following on from my comment above about strong vs. weak accents, have you ever heard a Canadian with a weak Canadian accent Posidrive?

It is a different story when you learn to speak a foreign language. Depending on how good you and your teacher are, you learn to speak without an English accent or perhaps a weak accent. But in regards to moving to Canada, you don't go and get lessons in how to speak Canadian, so you will always have a STRONG British accent.

Re: Will I get an accent - ?
 

Whaty'all talking about boy, ain't no way you gonna get a goddam accent over here....YEEEEEHHAAAAA :rolleyes:

PS At 35 I think you're pretty safe, although saying Aluminum and TomAto will come with time.

Re: Will I get an accent - ?
 

Bored jack? ;)

Re: Will I get an accent - ?
 

Hello Sue :) I've crossed the border again :rolleyes:

Re: Will I get an accent - ?
 

Meet me in the pub, so we don't hijack the Ops thread :D

Re: Will I get an accent - ?
 

I thought those security guards were going to take care of that! ;)

Re: Will I get an accent - ?
 

In Calgary I have met quite a few where I have been unsure as to whether or not they were Canadian. I would have sworn the owner of the ski equipment shop that I went into yesterday had an accent that had a definite Scottish sound to it (she was born and bred Candian). And yes I do know what a Scottish accent sounds like because I am half Scottish and spent quite some time working in Aberdeen.

Re: Will I get an accent - ?
 

After 8 years I dont have a lot of an accent, still sound British anyway. Most brits Ive met who have been here for a loooong time still sound very British to me. UK friends have noticed a slight change, but mostly its to do with vocabulary.

Vocab will change, there's no point talking about the boot and bonnet if you want people to understand you mean the trunk and hood. Only recently reminded of the existence of "spanners" and haven't asked anyone for a "Biro" or "Rubber" in years.

Re: Will I get an accent - ?
 

you may not get an accent but very soon you will be saying

"you know eh" about 100 times a day ;)

Re: Will I get an accent - ?
 

According to my work colleagues I still sound like I'm "fresh off the plane" but my family think I have a Canadian accent :D My kid though - I swear he lost his accent in 3 weeks!

Re: Will I get an accent - ?
 

I am Australian and when I lived in the UK for 2 years, I think my accent changed a little bit. I have now been in Canada for 2 and half years (work permit and now PR) and my accent has not changed at all.

However in Canada, I have learnt to remember:

- the phone is busy, not engaged.
- the date is October 23, not the 23rd of October
- in Canada you rent car, not hire a car

There are plenty more examples for sure.

Ozinca