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Re: No, I'm not Australian.....
Originally Posted by SarahBC
(Post 6391771)
Ha ha, I'm a wurzle too! (I'm from deepest Swindon). I often rant at people who tell me I'm Australian.
As I live in a town that is heavily populated with immigrants from Britain, Holland, Germany, Italy, eastern Europe etc, everyone has an accent. Most of them started arriving in the fifties onwards. None of them seem to have lost their respective accents, so it surprises me when Canadian-born individuals state "oh you'll soon lose that accent". Why?!? I arrived here age 30. I'm a bit long in the tooth to suddenly change. Also, if you live with someone from the same culture (Swindon!) then you'll probably talk the same always. I have one client from England who left in 1926. She regales me with stories of playing tennis with the bishop when he came for tea (very Brideshead Revisited). She was born in 1910 (still driving and works 2 days a week in a charity shop). She could cut glass with her English accent. It's the most proper form of BBC received pronunciation, before there was even a BBC! So, it seems that most Canadians delight in telling you that you'll change. I respond by excessively using over-English phrases such as: "He's just popped out for a fag" "Blow that for a game of soldiers" "I'll give you a tinkle" "You're a bit mutt and jeff" Sarah Ive been here 6 years in Toronto - 37 now and still haven't lost my wonderful Queens English...........I use these phrases - "where is the bog?" "give me a fag" - last time they sent me down to the gay district in Toronto "you plonker" "where is my mobile" - I get sent to a toy shop go and figure! "I need some Anneka Rice" |
Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by bazzz
(Post 6389458)
Hasn't made the slightest bit of difference as far as I can tell, but then it seems to be a pretty common accent here. It's been suggested that if I were single it'd probably help me get laid more easily.
But, it helps a lot at work as well, especially if you know what you are talking about anyway... Interestingly, you have an excuse for being ignorant of local issues. Being a Brit is a really good ice-breaker, and you can get delicate subjects out of the way by pretending not to realise that they might be delicate. You can play it the other way, too. As a lost and helpless Brit, though, you have an instant excuse for being late to meetings (who would expect you to know where the room / building / town was?). Shop sales staff go out of their way to help (flirt?) Even airline check in staff suddenly become helpful. Very odd! |
Re: Your accent...
On my whimsical days, I toy with getting a three-piece suit, bowler hat and umbrella. Just to go the absolute whole hog.
John Steed would have nothing on me, oh no … :p |
Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by theroyalseh
(Post 6390738)
Wallace don't forget Tim Hortons has a language all by itself took me age's to figure out what an EXTRA LARGE DOUBLE DOUBLE was! Dont forget the words for gas (petrol) toonie and loonie LOL
Most people here in Toronto love my English accent - they seem to think I know what Im talking about! If only they knew! I will make sure I never lose my Reading, Berkshire Accent! |
Re: Your accent...
My wife lived with an English family when she went to university. They came as retired adults and as far as I could tell, never lost their accent (or gained a Canadian one).
However whenever they went back for a visit, their friends told them how they sounded Canadian. Something must've rubbed off. |
Re: Your accent...
"Are you Australian?" :sneaky:
I've just started saying "Yes" now and when they ask why I moved here I say "They're letting too many Brits in..." Strangely, nobody's challenged me on it yet. |
Re: Your accent...
I, too, appear to have a hybrid Brit/Aussie/Kiwi/Springbok accent, as far as the anglo-Canadian ear is concerned.
Franco Canadians have even less idea. My neighbours didn't know until I told them. They knew I'd lived in the GTA and thought that's where I was from. I can only recall two occasions when a Quebecker has nailed the accent straight off. One was a barmaid in Quebec City. She'd probably met lots of Brit tourists. The other was a guy in a shop. He'd lived in London for a while. |
Re: Your accent...
When I speak with an English accent no one can understand me. Could be because I can't do an English accent and my Norn Iron one trying to do English is unintelligible.
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Re: Your accent...
[QUOTE=theroyalseh;6390738what an EXTRA LARGE DOUBLE DOUBLE was! Dont forget the words for gas (petrol) toonie and loonie LOL
![/QUOTE] What is it? |
Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by London-England-Lads
(Post 6395380)
What is it?
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Re: Your accent...
Have you read the "Rules of Ordering: Tim Hortons" on Facebook?
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2581280419 |
Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by Ben W Bell
(Post 6395144)
When I speak with an English accent no one can understand me. Could be because I can't do an English accent and my Norn Iron one trying to do English is unintelligible.
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Re: Your accent...
Mr Oldbag and I have been told we "speak funny" and would never, ever get work locally because we're English. Although a certain person on this forum said "it never happened", it certainly did happen. My negative feelings about this stupid attitude have now diminished, and I feel sorry for the bigots in this town who probably feel threatened by anyone new and "different", and are unable to accept others as they are.
So, as far as employment, it has definitely been a hinderance in this area; we never did get work here. However we found work in our nearest "big town"....Stratford, and our workmates love the way we speak, and often tell us how much they love the British accent. I think it must depend on where you settle............Small Town Canada can be extremely inhospitable :frown: |
Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by jericho
(Post 6389099)
Would be interested to hear if anyone feels their English accent has helped/hindered their job/career prospects whilst in Canada.
During the interview, the company who offered me the job said I'd have instant credibility because of my accent. Thought it was a bit of a strange thing to say, seeing as I have a typical Mancunian accent, but would was wondering if anyone has had any similar experiences..... It didnt really make a difference on helping me get a job. People seem always remember me though, because of the accent. |
Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by FlirtyKnickers
(Post 6395563)
That made me smile....Canadians seem to have a problem when i say two....i say 'can i have two coffees please' they say 'three coffees' then i say 'no, two coffees' then they say 'three' then i say 'two.....not three....one, TWO...TWO coffees please' and they say 'would you like cream or milk'!!!!:blink:
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Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by Ben W Bell
(Post 6395823)
Try reading a number on the phone. I say zero, and they say two. Infuriating.
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Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by FlirtyKnickers
(Post 6395851)
oh my god...thats gonna be hilarious...:rofl::rofl:
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Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by Ben W Bell
(Post 6396207)
Yeah, slightly less hilarious after you've been on the phone with the HBC call centre in Hydrabad trying to activate your Hudson's Bay Company card. And then have to ask to be put through to a supervisor.
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Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by Ben W Bell
(Post 6395823)
Try reading a number on the phone. I say zero, and they say two. Infuriating.
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Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by Elaine B.
(Post 6396320)
People can never understand when I say 8, I've actually had to say the number after 7 for people to finally get it:o (It really didn't help when I lived on the 8th floor of an apartment building.)
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Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by FlirtyKnickers
(Post 6396328)
:rofl::rofl:
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Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by Elaine B.
(Post 6396354)
I think it the only word I can't say without a Larne accent.
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Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by FlirtyKnickers
(Post 6396379)
It's so funny...when we first started to visit Canada, many moons ago, my OH had a habit of saying Cheerio...when we were leaving anyone....after a few day i pointed out to him that he'd have a better response if he just yelled cereal at them....he was mortified....:rofl:
:rofl: When my mum and dad came to visit us they were staying in a hotel. When the maids came by and asked if they could tidy the room my dad told them to "tear away" and wondered why they looked so confused:) |
Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by Elaine B.
(Post 6396398)
:rofl:
When my mum and dad came to visit us they were staying in a hotel. When the maids came by and asked if they could tidy the room my dad told them to "tear away" and wondered why they looked so confused:) |
Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by Elaine B.
(Post 6396398)
:rofl:
When my mum and dad came to visit us they were staying in a hotel. When the maids came by and asked if they could tidy the room my dad told them to "tear away" and wondered why they looked so confused:) |
Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by Elaine B.
(Post 6396354)
I think it the only word I can't say without a Larne accent.
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Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by oldbag
(Post 6396562)
Hi Elaine.............what's a Larne accent? I feel I should know, but I'm sorry, I don't :blink:
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Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by Elaine B.
(Post 6396572)
It's a town in Northern Ireland (Co. Antrim) not a place of any great significants.
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Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by Elaine B.
(Post 6396398)
:rofl:
When my mum and dad came to visit us they were staying in a hotel. When the maids came by and asked if they could tidy the room my dad told them to "tear away" and wondered why they looked so confused:) I won't use it again. You try explaining it. |
Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by Souvenir
(Post 6396709)
I have once, and only once, used the phrase "laughed like a drain".
I won't use it again. You try explaining it. |
Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by FlirtyKnickers
(Post 6396717)
Canadians must think all immigrants are bloody idiots..:rofl:
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Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by oldbag
(Post 6397305)
What they forget is that they're all immigrants themselves............
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Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by Steve_P
(Post 6397315)
Not all.;)
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Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by oldbag
(Post 6397325)
Okay - not all, but most are from immigrant stock......;)
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Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by Steve_P
(Post 6397328)
Same can be said for most places including the UK, depends on how far back you want to go.:)
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Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by Elaine B.
(Post 6396320)
People can never understand when I say 8, I've actually had to say the number after 7 for people to finally get it:o (It really didn't help when I lived on the 8th floor of an apartment building.)
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Re: Your accent...
don't know if my strong welsh accent helps or hinders me over here. In work it doesn't really matter as it's Markham and they are mostly oriental anyway. In social settings it's usually an ice breaker....in the US the conversation usually goes" What accent is that...I See Welsh......What part of Welsh are you from...Did you live near Diana".......
On the flip side i was surprised when visiting a Canadian friend early in my time here who called her kids in to watch "muffin the mule" on kids TV, Told her that "muffing" the mule was a criminal offense in the UK ;) |
Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by clynnog
(Post 6397948)
When you say the #8 does it rhyme with 'gate' and it is really stretched out. Do you also say you are going for a 'wee dander'.
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Gentlemen.....
Someone shared these Dilbert cartoons with me yesterday. I thought they might be of interest re. this thread!;)
http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...at/dilbert.jpg |
Re: Your accent...
Originally Posted by the undutchables
(Post 6391012)
I'm originally from West Lothian, Scotland and have a broad Edinburgh/ east coast accent ( think Sean Connery!) although my family and friends have said my accent has softened being away from home. Here in Holland most people, Dutch and English, think I'm Irish!
It will be interesting to see what the Canadians make of it. |
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