Do us Canadians really have an accent to you Americans?

[Saintly_Loser]

@tonyfop

I was surprised when I visited Nova Scotia and I expected the “typical” Canadian accent. What I got from many, but not all, was almost an Irish accent. It has been a while, so I can’t pin down any exact pronunciations, but I remember getting the distinct “It almost sounds Irish” feeling. Also, the guy in the video may not be saying Aboot, but when he says about it is just slightly different from what I am used to.

Visit Newfoundland someday. It’s like that, but even more so. Especially when you’re out of the more populated areas (St. John’s, Gander, Grand Falls).

[Spice_Weasel]

@Hoserted

A little off topic but…

I think people in Michigan may get the idea that Ontario is culturally similar to the state because you guys border SW Ontario which tends to be more…umm… canucky. Toronto and it’s greater area is very, very, very different from Michigan. literally a different world. Massive, massive levels of immigration have made that part of Ontario unlike any part north America.

I guess I didn’t mean to imply cultural similitude by geographical proximity. The cultural difference is striking enough when my friend says she won’t move back to Michigan anytime soon because she just enrolled her kid in French Immersion.

I think what I meant to say is even being around it my whole life, and watching a fair amount of Canadian TV and everything, it’s still a striking accent, especially after I was out of town for several years. Canada is a big country and I’m sure it’s diverse in accents as much as culture, but I still know a Canadian when I hear one.

But again, there is no real stigma attached to that accent. You’re going to take some good-natured ribbing but I’m not sure it’s worth being self-conscious about.

[Balthisar]

@Hoserted

I think people in Michigan may get the idea that Ontario is culturally similar to the state because you guys border SW Ontario which tends to be more…umm… canucky. Toronto and it’s greater area is very, very, very different from Michigan. literally a different world. Massive, massive levels of immigration have made that part of Ontario unlike any part north America.

As a Michigander having lived in the GTA for a year, you’re both right and wrong.

The GTA is huge, but as you get closer to the city, it becomes much less like Michigan and more like, say, Sydney. (I’ve never lived in Sydney, but I recall how much I felt like I was in Toronto city while visiting there.) As you get further from the city, it’s much more like Michigan.

I lived in Mississauga and worked in Oakville, and lived a completely normal Canadian life, and it was not at all foreign to me. “Foreign” is when I visit San Diego.

I did tend to avoid going to the city proper, though, unless it was for a specific, tourist-like purpose (shows, to buy cigars, sports). Mostly I tend to avoid going to cities, period, but Toronto isn’t so bad as far as cities go (like all cities, there are places that are really good to avoid; Canadian muggers won’t say “sorry” after taking your phone).

In the GTA outside of the city, about the only thing “culturally” that seemed different to me was Canadians’ willingness to live in apartments and duplexes, although there are parts of the United States where that happens, too. Well, and certain vocabulary, the Queen’s picture on stuff, French writing, and the accent, but these don’t really affect who the people are, and the people are pretty much just like us Michiganders.