Why do they do this?
 

Why do Canadians insist on starting sentences with the word 'So...' ? I just don't get it. Is it just crazy misuse of English (as it seems) or does it have an alternate meaning here?

Re: Why do they do this?
 

They do it to annoy the English who move here.

Re: Why do they do this?
 

Maybe they do it for the same reason that Brits say it. I've heard it for many years, long before I ever came here.

Now, 'awesome' is something I never heard used in quite the way it is here.;)

Re: Why do they do this?
 

That word really gets on my tits.

I was on an Air Canada flight last week from Sao Paulo to Toronto. That's a long flight. The flight attendant doing my section used it waaaay too often. I was close to killing him.

Re: Why do they do this?
 

Not too awesome an experience then.:D

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I have trouble not letting out a snigger when "awesome" is used unnecessarily!

Re: Why do they do this?
 

I must admit after 8 years in Canada I've picked up the bad habit of saying things are cute:o

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Why do they do it? Because its a bleedin foreign country innit. Language has evolved to be slightly different here.

Get over it eh!

Re: Why do they do this?
 

If flavourful/tasty bothers you, you'd be a basket case had you gone to Oz.

Re: Why do they do this?
 

:cool:Its the dreaded 'WOw' at every excuse that dims my lens...:eek::cool:

Re: Why do they do this?
 

For the same reason that Brits pine about not being able to buy Marmite, back bacon, Walker's crisps, etc.

Re: Why do they do this?
 

Yes, I keep forgetting; Nobody who has settled in Canada and accepted all the differences that this entails - and there are very many - should comment on any differences or desire something they enjoyed back in the UK. :p

Re: Why do they do this?
 

I dont get your point. I doubt there is a place on this planet that is perfect, any choice involves compromise and accepting things that are not just how you would like them to be.

That doesnt mean you cant say you dont like those things, but you are going to have to get over it and take the rough with the smooth, either that or take your chances somewhere else...

Re: Why do they do this?
 

Agreed....but my comment wasn't solely based on a couple of responses in this thread only. People here have (mostly) accepted massive differences in climate, bureaucracy, lifestyle, work conditions, health provision, shopping etc.

For heaven's sake why can't someone pine for a little comfort of 'home' without being told they should get over it or that they are 'whining' about something? :frown:

Re: Why do they do this?
 

I have changed my above post, I'm sure you will still find something wrong with it.

I was trying to illustrate "Pot, Kettle, Black" - it obviously bypassed you:thumbsup:

Re: Why do they do this?
 

So...everyone in the UK uses perfect English do they?;)

I don't think so. :sneaky:

Re: Why do they do this?
 

:confused:Because they are whining about something?

Like I said, you have to take the rough with the smooth, that goes for internet fora too to some extent. Post something a bit stupid, and you have to expect a few stupid responses....especially as we are in the Maple Leaf where there is more casual banter and the like.

I dont think anyone said they couldnt do it... I just answered the question...it is a foreign country and language has evolved to be a bit different here!

Re: Why do they do this?
 

On the subject of mis-use or incorrect pronunciation, how about French words? How many of us admit to saying 'Garridge' for where the car is left?;)

Re: Why do they do this?
 

I guess we'll agree to differ. I don't think wanting something liked and maybe asking where it can be obtained or just regreting its passing, for example, is the same as Whining. To utter a plaintive, high-pitched, protracted sound, as in pain, fear, supplication, or complaint.
2. To complain or protest in a childish fashion.
3. To produce a sustained noise of relatively high pitch

Perhaps I'm too sensitive (my wife thinks so :lol:) but it's like when politcians try to disparage what others say, not by addressing the comments themselves but by saying they are 'bleating' about something.

It's just so negative. Whining is the child stamping his foot and saying "Why can't I go out dadeeeeeeee?"

That's a long way from expressing a wish for 'proper' bacon or whatever - especially when one has grown accustomed to far more and far bigger changes in the new life.

<retires to corner to lick wounds>
:rofl:

Re: Why do they do this?
 

Thats the thing though, it seems so trivial compared to the major changes that really matter.

Im not saying its right that people should jump all over this sort of post, but it is going to happen, thats just human nature, and in this sub forum at least as long as people are not overly agressive / abusive, its just part of the give and take.

Re: Why do they do this?
 

I'm Canadian and I'm sitting here trying to think of why I say 'so' at the beginning of a sentence. I think it depends on the context but generally I think it's meant as 'friendly cushion' - if that makes sense.

To my Canadian ears, 'So, how was the gig last night?' sounds more friendly and genuine than, 'How was the gig last night?' which sounds more formal and distant.

I'm sure there are other interpretations but that's mine, one coffee down and one more to go.

Re: Why do they do this?
 

"Garridge" is where one keeps one's beer and power tools. "Driveway" is where one keeps one's car.

Re: Why do they do this?
 

Why do so many Brits use the word "of" in place of "have" - sounds so stupid. As in "I would of done so and so" instead of "I would have....." I've even seen it used that way in newspapers there for crissakes.

Re: Why do they do this?
 

Not all of us feel that way.

The garage was intended for cars and that's what it is used for at our house. :p

Re: Why do they do this?
 

Call yourself a Canadian!!!!!!!

Re: Why do they do this?
 

"so, was the coffee good" :eek::eek:

I think it sounds very friendly, now what is annoying is when you drop the kids at school and you get teachers saying "bet you don't get snow like this in the uk" or "is that tea for you, your english"

No the snow in england is a real funny colour, totally different from here and yeah i drink tea, as long as it has a heap of coffee in it :thumbsup::rofl::rofl:

It works both ways, some of the moms here crack me up with some of there stuff, but i come home and scream REAL LOUD..haha

One thing i have learnt is that i don't judge them, some even call immagrants...then quickly turn round and say "O not you" :wub:

I just turn round and say "well i am one" and....love watching them get out of that one, as most of there parents or grandparents are english haha

Re: Why do they do this?
 

Yeah!!!! :p

A double garage with TWO cars in it, I know it goes against convention but hey ho. :rofl::rofl:

Re: Why do they do this?
 

Never really occurred to me, but "whatever" at the end, start and the middle of most sentences, seems to illustrate a lack of vocabulary. Still, better than, "at the end of the day" which i never hear anymore, and was used more than all the "so and whatevers" put together.

Re: Why do they do this?
 

"So" indicates that the sentence is going to be a question, and hints to a prior conversation or shared experience.

It gives the listener a a cue and therefore a chance to hear the question more clearly.

They don't say, "So, the weather is nice today."

They'll say, "So, does your wife hate me?" (The unspoken and shared experience being, since you rolled home pissed as a newt after drinking with me.)

So is better than some Briitshisms - I hate gobsmacked, innit, I would of...

Re: Why do they do this?
 

My Spanish book has an entire chapter on this, words that are essentially meaningless but give the speaker time to think.

Re: Why do they do this?
 

erm, ahh, oohhh, oh, ahem, and my favorite, ey'up

Re: Why do they do this?
 

I've noticed that Canadians use the word "awesome" in the same way that Brits use the word "brilliant".

In Canada, "brilliant" is rarely used in casual conversation unless they were talking about someone who is rather gifted in intelligence. That's been my observation! :cool:

Re: Why do they do this?
 

I think such words are called "fillers". French has lots of them, like "alors".

Re: Why do they do this?
 

Thank you for your response. My question was more based on my interest with the evolution of languages and dialect. Some responses have been unhelpful, along the lines of "well if you don't like it, leave"

Actually the example you gave is totally familiar to me. I'm citing situations where there is no need to use a segue or cushion. This is the big difference. Also, verbally the word "so" is more reasonable as it is used to attract attention.

But my observation about it in Canada is that people use it extensively in formal writing, rather than blogging or text messaging. This is what I don't really understand.

Anyway thank you again for providing some context.

Re: Why do they do this?
 

You lot are a tough crowd. I'm not doing stand up in this forum again.

It was not meant to be a stupid question. I'm genuinely curious as to whether there's a reason, or if it's just a habit with no reason.

Re: Why do they do this?
 

The reason you got the responses you did was how you phrased the question.

To me it sounded pompous and condescending towards Canadians.

Re: Why do they do this?
 

It's a habit I think.

My peeve - why do North Americans only have "issues" never "problems"?

Re: Why do they do this?
 

I agree, and speak proper English why don't you ;)

I personally love that word 'Awesome!' and 'Right on!" If you say that in their way they laugh with you, as it must sound quite funny hearing it from us in our British accent :)

I could not stop laughing for a good 6 months when I got here as I commonly only got told, "I love your sexy British accent!"

And at work too, one colleague of mine had not seen me all week as I work shifts. She asked where I'd been, looking pleased to see me.
I asked her, "Why did you miss me?"
And she said, "yes I did, I missed your lovely British accent, where have you been?"

Too funny. And that is another saying of theirs over here I love.. "Too Funny"

I am acquiring their lingo, not the american slang mind you, and my GPS in the car is always set to English English, not American English ;)

If anyone else loves my sexy british accent I will take them for a spin in my car and they can listen to my GPS instead. Ha ha.

Re: Why do they do this?
 

I think issue is a better term for saying problem, personally. I've no problem with that, in fact, it is always intriguing and listening to the differences, don't you think? :)

Re: Why do they do this?
 

Oh and another funny thing that happened in my first job over here, was when I said I was knackered.

They found that word highly amusing, and asked me, "What does knackered mean?"

I explained that it is what I am feeling right now ;)

Then I explained it more simplified and said, it means.. very tired.

Funny hearing them saying knackered all week after that at work. They told me they really liked that term :)