Accents, pronunciation, Canadianisms
Apr 30th 2018, 4:27 pm
#61
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 0
Re: Accents, pronunciation, Canadianisms
I have lived in Canada almost 11yrs and its not been until recently I have learned to speak "Tim Hortons talk". I still have a strong Scottish accent and trying to order a muffin or croissant with "butter" was always problematic! I would be met with funny looks and end up spelling out b-u-t-t-e-r or saying "little tub of butter" but again strange looks from the person behind counter but caught on to saying "butter on the side"! For this I never use the drive-thrus too much hassle.
Apr 30th 2018, 5:09 pm
#62
Oscar nominated
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,853
Apr 30th 2018, 5:10 pm
#63
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2013
Location: Merida Mexico and Calgary Canada
Posts: 1,050
Re: Accents, pronunciation, Canadianisms
8 years and I still have to repeat myself most days. I avoid using the drive thru for the same reason. If the Mrs is with me she is always the one to order. The last straw for me was trying to order a medium hot chocolate at the Tims drive thru. Four attempts I just drove up to the window
Apr 30th 2018, 5:41 pm
#64
Magnificently Withering
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Oakville, ON
Posts: 6,891
Re: Accents, pronunciation, Canadianisms
Even if it is -30C here in Calgary I will still get out the car and walk into the restuarant ,usually at that temp there is no line up(queue) rather than have all the confusion on the speaker system. Also when I strike up a conversation in a pub a Canadian will ask me "how long are you here on holidays/vacation?" erm 11ys!?
Reminds me of this (BBC, Burnistoun, 2011):
Apr 30th 2018, 6:47 pm
#65
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2013
Location: Merida Mexico and Calgary Canada
Posts: 1,050
Re: Accents, pronunciation, Canadianisms
"Regular black coffee please."
"Cream or milk?"
"Black coffee..."
https://s3.amazonaws.com/lowres.cart...on1501_low.jpg
"Cream or milk?"
"Black coffee..."
https://s3.amazonaws.com/lowres.cart...on1501_low.jpg
Apr 30th 2018, 6:51 pm
#66
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2013
Location: Merida Mexico and Calgary Canada
Posts: 1,050
Apr 30th 2018, 7:00 pm
#67
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 0
Re: Accents, pronunciation, Canadianisms
Even if it is -30C here in Calgary I will still get out the car and walk into the restuarant ,usually at that temp there is no line up(queue) rather than have all the confusion on the speaker system. Also when I strike up a conversation in a pub a Canadian will ask me "how long are you here on holidays/vacation?" erm 11ys!?
I am from Stoke and I am frequently asked if I am Scottish or Irish
They then usually say confused but you are British though aren't you? 
Apr 30th 2018, 7:05 pm
#68
Account Closed
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 0
Re: Accents, pronunciation, Canadianisms
They do seem to say 'Thank you'.
Apr 30th 2018, 7:14 pm
#69
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2013
Location: Merida Mexico and Calgary Canada
Posts: 1,050
Re: Accents, pronunciation, Canadianisms
but they must have on drugs or something.
Apr 30th 2018, 7:18 pm
#70
Stand-up Philosopher
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Regina Saskatchewan
Posts: 16,344
Re: Accents, pronunciation, Canadianisms
I've been told that the New Brunswickers in my extended family live out in the middle of the bush, speak French even though they have a Scots-Irish McName, live on moose meat, go to the store a few times a year to trade furs and can't read or write and they're happy as hell with that. No welfare and I imagine the welfare people are glad not to have to go find them.
Last edited by caretaker; Apr 30th 2018 at 7:27 pm. Reason: I confused Alex2201's address with Neil's post, that's why the quote
Apr 30th 2018, 8:53 pm
#71
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2018
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 26
Re: Accents, pronunciation, Canadianisms
Today was a good example of why I dislike phone conversations, preferring email or face to face. But even in person has difficulties.
The number of times I have to repeat LAWTONS even mentioning its street, to a taxi driver and eventually they say "Oh LAHT'NS". It would be easier if I just said Laht'ns but I can't bring myself to do it.
But today was funny. A combination of lack of energy and weight of shopping meant I couldn't cycle back home so a taxi (a Van) was needed. So when I'd paid for my stuff I asked the cashier to call me a taxi. "I need a van."
In response to me stating my preferred company she acknowledges with "Anita?" which is pronounced Aneeda.
Does she think I'm an Anita/Aneeda? It's obvious she hasn't twigged that I need a van, so before she picks up the phone I say "That's a van I need."
So now she knows, and I hear her ask for a van. But then she says "He's asking for Aneeda." (sometimes people have favoured drivers)
So now I say "no, no, it's just a van needed" and I try to explain that I said I-need-a-van. The next two customers are falling about laughing and then the cashier twigs and we all have a good laugh.
Maybe I should try "Hellair...would you be so kind as to call me an air cab (preferred company) taxi please...and please request they send a van. Pip-pip."
What's that in Canadian?
The number of times I have to repeat LAWTONS even mentioning its street, to a taxi driver and eventually they say "Oh LAHT'NS". It would be easier if I just said Laht'ns but I can't bring myself to do it.
But today was funny. A combination of lack of energy and weight of shopping meant I couldn't cycle back home so a taxi (a Van) was needed. So when I'd paid for my stuff I asked the cashier to call me a taxi. "I need a van."
In response to me stating my preferred company she acknowledges with "Anita?" which is pronounced Aneeda.
Does she think I'm an Anita/Aneeda? It's obvious she hasn't twigged that I need a van, so before she picks up the phone I say "That's a van I need."
So now she knows, and I hear her ask for a van. But then she says "He's asking for Aneeda." (sometimes people have favoured drivers)
So now I say "no, no, it's just a van needed" and I try to explain that I said I-need-a-van. The next two customers are falling about laughing and then the cashier twigs and we all have a good laugh.
Maybe I should try "Hellair...would you be so kind as to call me an air cab (preferred company) taxi please...and please request they send a van. Pip-pip."
What's that in Canadian?
I like to think my ear has sharpened a bit more towards the British accent, as I have met many Brits now being abroad and watching loads of Jeremey Kyle 
(just teasing but I do love this guy).
Last edited by ExpatSleeFamily; Apr 30th 2018 at 8:56 pm.
Apr 30th 2018, 9:05 pm
#72
Oscar nominated
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,853
Re: Accents, pronunciation, Canadianisms
I married into a Canadian family but they're Quebeccers so I may have missed the settling in that others got.
Apr 30th 2018, 9:36 pm
#73
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2017
Location: Halifax, NS
Posts: 345
Re: Accents, pronunciation, Canadianisms
I have lived in Canada almost 11yrs and its not been until recently I have learned to speak "Tim Hortons talk". I still have a strong Scottish accent and trying to order a muffin or croissant with "butter" was always problematic! I would be met with funny looks and end up spelling out b-u-t-t-e-r or saying "little tub of butter" but again strange looks from the person behind counter but caught on to saying "butter on the side"! For this I never use the drive-thrus too much hassle.
How hard is it -
"Hello Mr Tim Hortons 'barista'. A small black coffee please".
"Will that be medium or large?'.
"Erm... no, it will be a sodding small one, like I just said, thank you".
"Ok. Anything in it?".
"WTF?". My standard answer now, with a smile plastered on my face, is "No just coffee"... cue fake laughter for all concerned.
I did used to think it was my accent, but this exchange has been repeated in various branches. I have never yet had a problem with Starbucks, Second Cup or any of the local coffee places.
Apr 30th 2018, 10:45 pm
#74
limey party pooper
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,982
Re: Accents, pronunciation, Canadianisms
Er, maybe a hearing test might be in order.
Apr 30th 2018, 11:47 pm
#75
Oscar nominated
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,853
Re: Accents, pronunciation, Canadianisms
It's only Canadian strangers on the phone I have a problem with. I spoke to a brother by phone for the first time since 2004 a couple of weeks ago (usually it's email) with no problem at all.
Doctor and dentist secretary on the phone is fairly regular and no problem there either. Taxi dispatchers ditto.
I'm confident my hearing is no worse than it was. I can watch TV/movie on my laptop, with earphones and hear a conversation in the other room. Occasionally my stepson is very loud and I hear him above what's in my earpiece and that's when I will sometimes use captions.
Which is where Netflix, iPlayer and that other website comes in handy.
Doctor and dentist secretary on the phone is fairly regular and no problem there either. Taxi dispatchers ditto.
I'm confident my hearing is no worse than it was. I can watch TV/movie on my laptop, with earphones and hear a conversation in the other room. Occasionally my stepson is very loud and I hear him above what's in my earpiece and that's when I will sometimes use captions.
Which is where Netflix, iPlayer and that other website comes in handy.