More Canadian Lingo

I've been a bit MIA lately as we've been traveling non-stop.  I've got a bunch of posts I've been meaning to get out so I'll start with this one - a follow-up to my previous post on differences between Canadian and American English.

Here are some more translations of American words into Canadian:

• Electricity = hydro
• A local (non-express) lane on the highway = collectors
• Physical therapy = physio
• Napkins = serviettes
• A grill = a bbq
• Merge (into another lane) = squeeze

More spelling differences (which some may say is trying to cheat at scrabble - thanks to Eddie Izzard)!:

• Check is spelled cheque.
• Jewelry is spelled Jewellery.

And a few pronunciation differences which are helpful to be aware of:

• Been (ben) is pronounced "bean".
• Capillary (cap-i-lary) is pronounced ca-pil-iry.

I'll keep updating this as I learn more and more each day!

Do You Speak Canadian?

Since I've moved to Canada I've learned that a lot of things are different here than I expected them to be.  So, I'm not sure why I am always surprised when they use a different language.  And, I'm not referring to the French which is one of the official languages, I mean the English.  I'm sure you know there is quite the accent here - an accent cluttered with eh and sounding similar to the movie Fargo.  But, did you also know:

They use different words than we do for certain things:

• Restroom = washroom
• Check = bill  (when you ask for the check at a restuarant the server always hesitates)
• College = university (college here refers more to a technical school while university is what we would call a 4-year degree)
• Rapini = broccoli rabe
• Podiatrist = chiropodist
• Toque = a winter hat (this comes from the French influence)

Canadians use the British spelling of many words like:

• Center = Centre
• Flavor = Flavour
• Organization = Organisation
• Defense = Defence (though at a sports game, makes for good fan signage: a D in one hand and a picture of a fence in the other - get it?!  Unfortunately I can't take credit for that one - saw it at the Argos game.)

They pronounce things differently: 

• Process has a long O
• Herb (erb) = Herb (herb)
• Again (agen) is more like the actual spelling of the word a - gain (gane).

You'll definitely find the British influence in the language is noticeable - if you don't adapt they'll know you are a foreigner, but there could be worse things.

French (and English) Connection

Canada has two official languages – French and English.  However, in Ontario the defacto official language is English.  The only significant time I spent in Canada prior to moving here was in Montreal.  From my limited exposure I thought Toronto, though English speaking, would be significantly influenced by French.  I haven't found that.  Living in Toronto you'll be aware of the French influence, but English is the main language used.  All signs and laws will be posted and official announcements made in both languages.  Almost anything you buy at the store will be labeled in both English and French (from my former life I can tell you this is a pain for consumer products companies!).