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the language barrier!!!
hi all, i have been in Saskachewan just over a week..and anyone that is thinking of coming to Canada beware that you will still have a problem with the language..yes we both speak English but the Canadians still have a problem understanding us..and i can have problems understanding them on the phone... the Canadians seem to speak faster down the phone (or is it just me)...just to make u aware that it can still be very frustrating.:curse:
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Re: the language barrier!!!
Originally Posted by clairemarie70
(Post 5894290)
hi all, i have been in Saskachewan just over a week..and anyone that is thinking of coming to Canada beware that you will still have a problem with the language..yes we both speak English but the Canadians still have a problem understanding us..and i can have problems understanding them on the phone... the Canadians seem to speak faster down the phone (or is it just me)...just to make u aware that it can still be very frustrating.:curse:
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Re: the language barrier!!!
I find the phone line clarity absolutely appalling here which doesn't help with accent problems :blink: And it's not my phone.
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Re: the language barrier!!!
Originally Posted by Biiiiink
(Post 5894311)
I find the phone line clarity absolutely appalling here which doesn't help with accent problems :blink: And it's not my phone.
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Re: the language barrier!!!
You just have to speak more slowly and use as many Canadian phrases and terminology as possible. This is why people who don't try and speak the language (Annie3-4!) find it difficult and frustrating. As with any new country you move to, you should try and learn the language that the country uses, not try and impose your own version onto the locals. It's ok for a short while but if you're still using 'petrol' or opening the 'bonnet' after a length of time then most will just think you're arrogant.
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Re: the language barrier!!!
I dont find it difficult and frustrating, just annoying when Brits adopt a pretendy false Canadian twang which sounds completely ridiculous
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Re: the language barrier!!!
I know what it is like. I lived in the UK for a a couple years and went through the same thing ( I am Canadain). Everyone always giggled when I referred to my trousers as "pants" and one of the first times I was out in the evening and a girl asked meto join her to the loo I thought it was a different bar we were going to ha ha..........
Have fun with it though. It is definatley all part of the experience and always a good convo starter!!!!!:thumbsup: |
Re: the language barrier!!!
Coronation Street irritates me, I cannot understand 90% of what they say.
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Re: the language barrier!!!
Originally Posted by catherinelouise
(Post 5894709)
one of the first times I was out in the evening and a girl asked me to join her to the loo :thumbsup:
J :) |
Re: the language barrier!!!
Dont watch it then Howard.
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Re: the language barrier!!!
Simply adopt the well tried English principle of Speaking loudly and slowly. "Do. You. Understand me. Johnny. Canuck. I would to purchase some petrol. And. Fags. Could. You. also. Carry. the. shopping. to. the. boot. of. my car. as. I. don't. want. to. get. my.trousers.dirty.Bloody colonials"
CANADIANS DON'T SPEAK LIKE ENGLISH. Headline. Shock horror. Who'dve thunk it!;) |
Re: the language barrier!!!
Originally Posted by annie3-4
(Post 5894701)
I dont find it difficult and frustrating, just annoying when Brits adopt a pretendy false Canadian twang which sounds completely ridiculous
My daughter:eek: Bless her! She is being Canadianised, she is trying to fit in. Yep we knew it would happen, we knew she would end up with a Canadian accent but at the moment it is in between and I can't bl@%dy understand her half the time. She has got the mumble off to a T but some of the words, well:eek: For nearly 2 weeks in the UK, I had a daughter that spoke as we speak and now she has reverted to her strange Canadianisms. She only speaks that way so her buddies can understand her, but she brings it home too and that's where it gets scary! We have found that your vocab' just starts to change and yes you do start becomming a little Canadianised yourself, we find though that it generally happens when speaking to other Canadians, otherwise your forever explaining yourself and getting blank looks, which gets super frustrating. |
Re: the language barrier!!!
Originally Posted by annie3-4
(Post 5894701)
I dont find it difficult and frustrating, just annoying when Brits adopt a pretendy false Canadian twang which sounds completely ridiculous
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=502885 Give it up already. |
Re: the language barrier!!!
Originally Posted by GavinR
(Post 5894691)
You just have to speak more slowly and use as many Canadian phrases and terminology as possible. This is why people who don't try and speak the language (Annie3-4!) find it difficult and frustrating. As with any new country you move to, you should try and learn the language that the country uses, not try and impose your own version onto the locals. It's ok for a short while but if you're still using 'petrol' or opening the 'bonnet' after a length of time then most will just think you're arrogant.
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Re: the language barrier!!!
Originally Posted by clynnog
(Post 5894965)
Never have truer words been said. You can use petrol, bonnet, wireless, GIRO, P-45 etc etc when in the company of fellow Brits, but to most people it sounds pompous and arrogant.
There are alternatives to giro and P-45 ? |
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