Do Canadians have a different accent from Americans?

Absolutely -- I grew up in Canada, but have lived in the states for 30 years -- each time I go home I get dinged for my "american accent". Also, within Canada there are regional differences.

Alright. As a general rule the Canadian accent and the standard American accent are very similar. Since most of the interior states were settled from people all accross America, and globally, the accent is typically generic and resembles the Canadian accent much more than other American accents.

Whatever variation on the common American accent can lend credit to the settlers who (im)migrated to the States from around the world, and this is where Canadian and American dialect sees the most difference.

Canada has two national languages, English and French, however Quebec is the only primarily French speaking province in Canada, thus giving most persons from there a French accent. Note that Quebec French and standard French accents are different and there is often changes in the lexicon/phonolgy/syntax etc.

Persons from Newfoundland also enjoy a distinct accent more akin to Irish/Scottish/etc.

The Prairie region of Canada has been heavily influenced in terms of speech by Metis and other aboriginal peoles. There are only tiny discrepancies between most every province, with the continued exceptance of Quebec and NFL.

However little provincial differentiation there be in Canada (as opposed to the variation between states in the U.S.) there is still a "distinct" difference between the two countries.

Also, no Canadian ANYWHERE says aboot unless they're mocking Americans for their ignorance. Whatever misconceptions there are, we say lots of words just like you guys do. Certain words that are pronounced 'un-Americanly' may simply be a local thing.

Perhaps Manitoba speech is more similar to American than I thought?

A few examples (or just plainly 'silliness' on the American side):

Been - pronouced as /bin/ typically, but sometimes as /bean/

Process - pronouced as /prahcess/

Z - pronouced as /zed/

Pasta - pronounced as /passta/

Also, some phrases that are mostly endemic to my lovely province, Manitoba:

Header - as in, "I'm gonna header" or, to leave.

Giver - as in, "Just giver" or, to go all out/push beyond the limits/speed excessively like a badass grandma

Eh?

Particularly the ones from Quebec. I simply cannot understand what they're saying, eh.

It's some Je Nais Se Quoi...

I've noticed something that strongly came to my attention as of lately. And thought why not talk about it. Since everybody is talking about it anyway. Since it seems to be a major issue or concern or problem to many. Giving there Open Oppions, Point Of Views, A great deal of there Perspective, and great majority of there thoughts directly into it.


The Main Question that I have heard go around from many different people, would be most Freak quinly asked over all is: Do Canadians have Accents? This is where people make a huge deal of it. I'm not saying everyone, i'm saying some people do.
The one thing that I hate that people tend to do is go off and say things that aren't even true to begin with. They think they know everything, they think they know what there talking about. How do you know what you're talking about if you don't know? People may make there self believe that they know when they really don't. I'm talking about how some people can sit their and talk about someone they never met or don't know in general, or at all. Or compare one person to another and make everybody out as if they were a stereotype of person. Is where my point leads to. "Canadians In General".


I have heard people say (this and that) towards Canadians. And when I say this and that it's a whole lot more than it seems. It's understandable that nobody likes to be criticized. But when it comes down to something so stupid it becomes bigger than it really is, people tend to make a situation so small into something bigger, and shouldn't be made into. It's really not just Canadian's, it's every other nationality out their.


Let me get back to that Main Question I was talking about. Do Canadian's have Accents? it's like asking us is there a such place as Canada?. I'm that kind of Woman that see's and say's something as it really is, and nothing more. So let me be directly honest with you. Everywhere.. you go, and Anyone? meet. You technically hear a voice that you never heard before or a voice so familiar.


If it's anything I hate stereotype people, you have to be Unique in my book. No matter how you look at it you're typically Unique in you're own way no matter how hard you try. As I see it's pretty common that nobody has the same voice no matter how you try to be like one person. Face it you will never be nobody, other than you. Generally everybody's voice is completely different, but seem to have all these kinds of Accents and Languages out their. If you have noticed were separated individually, but not techically.


The thing is no matter who you are? or where you're from? we all have an Accent, as they call it. Different voice, but same Accent. Depends what Country? or Region? you are from that is. I have heard many people say that all Canadian's are alike, or all American's are alike as well. Nobody is alike just because we live in the same Country as other's. Remember there are different parts of Canada or America that you might just be from. Where you as an individual might have this certain Accent than other's. Because you live in a different region as somebody else would. The fact is Canadian's do have Accents too. Some people might have stronger Accents than other's or might just have more of an Accent than other's as well. So the fact is Canadian's do have Accents too. I come to realize the way we speak is an Accent.

Some Canadian's don't nearly notice they do, is where I was saying in the last paragraph there. And than some people notice it completely. Again depends where you're from, is what matters. I heard that American's notice it more, or from right in the begining as we speak, and that when we pronounce certain words.


The one word that people complain that Canadian's use alot and that's obviously common that American's don't would be the word "eh". It's sad how people try to copy Canadian's where they try to add "eh's" where they really don't belong, "eh" is a kind of a word or something you would use end of a Sentence or a Question or a Torical Question like it's a nice day out their "eh". Something they really don't have to anwser. Or its a short answer like uh huh. So you can't just throw it in anywhere you want to. I noticed alot of people try to when there just making fun of Canadian's. Is where the Stereotype kind of people begin to come into the picture. People ask why do Canadian's say "eh?" after every Question? (let me clarify) that we "Do not say "eh?" after every Question we ever ask. Not every Canadian says it, but you will hear many that do but still not after every question It's just a slang that Canadian's use, Just as American's use Huh? after certain Questions. It's just a way of speech of I suppose.


People ask what's the difference between a Canadian Accent? and and a American Accent? You get people that would say the only difference is they pronounce some words differently or it's only vowel change in how they they say some words more differently than American's would. Then you would get some people that would say they just sound like American's. That's not entirely true. To the Americans, we seem to clip our words, not draw them out, which gives us our 'accent'. And for some reason, we seem to say 'eh?' a lot. (pronounces 'ay'). Canadian accents sound different to everyone. Mainly because there is English & French Accents. And they are mixtures of every other English & French speaking country. Canada is very diverse--there isn't really ONE Canadian accent. For example, the people from Newfoundland sound very very Irish, where as the people from Alberta sound totally different. Those in Ontario sound similar to SOME New York accents (the minor ones) and those in Quebec sound like they're from France. I suggest you visit and see for yourself.


Everyone has an accent. It only sounds unusual to you because it is different from you're own. And Canada is a huge Country, there are many different Accents. Just like there are many different Accents in the United States. And guess what... alot of them sound silly to us, just like we may sound silly to you. But (many) define that Canadian Accents are somehow funny and hilarious to them as there selves as an individual. Where clearly it's not! Techically to comfirm alot have said that Canadian's say (Aboot) or (Abawt) instead of (About). Is how they say they know a Canadian for a American. (Let me make something clear) i'm not doubting or saying we don't pronounce (About) in that way (But not every Canadian) pronounces it that way. (Depends where you're from makes all the difference) But majority of us say (About) like American's or everybody else. Just because we may say some words differently than other's does not make us any less of a human or an individual in our Country. Were born and raised where we were born and raised simple as that.

Canada has two offical languages: English and French but Canada is recognized as a multi-cultural country and many language groups with in it. Some significent groups are Ukaranian, German, Spanish, Portugese, Italian, Mandarian, Japanise.


French is spoken in almost all parts of Canada, not just in Quebec. For example, there are large areas of Ontario and New Brunswick in which French is the first language of the majority of the population. French speaking population centres exist in every province.

Second, Quebecers should not be referred to as 'immigrants.' Quebec was founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, who is often referred to as 'The Father of Canada.' 'New France' was a French colony. French speaking people settled in Quebec and Acadia hundreds of years before English speaking people began settling in what is now Canada. The French were here first.

Third, it should be noted that French is an Official Language in Canada. Not all Canadians speak French. The majority speak English. There is, however, a steadily growing segment of the population that can speak both languages fluently.

People mainly ask us what's a Canadian Accent? Well born a Canadian within my 19 year's I never even knew that anyone in Canada had an Accent as silly as it sounds. I finally found out that many different parts of Canada do have Accents (again) depends from where you are from. I heard that A Canadian Accent is a mixture of Scottish and Irrish among French of course it being one of our two official languages. And partly New york Buffulo Accent if you live near the border as I heard. Also very much that english and proper way we us as Canadians have. There is similarities when it comes to Canadian speaking and American speaking. I would look at it as a unique Accent that Canadians have we have mixtures of Accents in one you mise well say. Ontario people, have a minor accent that I heard that it's not that strong (depends) but we have a way of speaking people say. Which it can become noticeable, only to those who have great hearing of the ear or never actually spoke to a Canadian before.

Is there a difference between Canadian's and American's when it comes to Accents and actuall Speaking? in general? (Yes) I find a major difference in the way we (act and do things) yes 100% But as for speaking within those two nationalitys (again) there are (similarities) between Canadian's and American's. We just attend to say some words differently than American's would normally say or (at all). For example: people talk about how Canadian's have a weird way of saying the word (About) or (Out) or anything that has a (O) in it in certain words I suppose. I may be Canadian but I do not or have I ever said (Oot) Or (Aboot) I Pacificly say (Out And About) Normally. I guess some people tend to say it that way but not every Canadian does. There would be another word that I haven't heard anybody mention and that would be the word (Again) American's would say (Again) and Canadian's would tend to say (A-Gain) I do not say (A-Gain) I say it practically like everybody else would (Again). Keep in mind not every Canadian speaks the same. Just because we live in the same Country as other's.


As being a Canadian myself born and raised here. I never really noticed an Accent whenever I spoke, if ever. There's no such thing as speaking normal. Everybody must have an Accent in some kind of way, even though it's not that detectable, where in other's it can be. Since I think about it some words might come out differently with an a slight Accent when I speak. It has happend. My Biological Father was born in Ottawa, Ontario Canada. He's French Canadian. But doesn't speak French. Just because you were born in French Region doesn't mean you speak French fluently. If he had stayed living their maybe he would of picked it up quite quiclky and French would of been his second language today. I am also French Canadian, of course. But do not speak fluent French either. But am half French which is my nationality. I am also part German I do have great percentage of German in me because many of my family members are German. I still have to detect what other nationality's that I could possibly have within me that I don't know about. When you're around the same thing for a very long time, you never really notice things that well, or at all. Where other people can pick it out so quickly and vividly, and wonder how they even saw what you didn't see. As for Accents my parents are always around me, have been with me since forever so they wouldn't notice if I had an Accent or not. Where it takes an outsider or somebody that's hardly with me on a daily basis to actually notice those kind of things.


Honestly I really don't tend to pick up any kind of Accent within my voice, maybe because I always hear it everyday that I just don't notice it "Maybe I acually have an Accent that i'm not aware of. People will see you or hear you differently, as you see and hear yourself. But over all I am a Canadian and I do have an Canadian Accent! i'm just not fully aware how it really sounds or how strong it may be to other's. Many people find a Canadian Accent Sexy! and Cute! Do you..?

With the exception of French Canadians, the only difference I can tell is that they say "aboot", while we say "about."

I have heard that the Japanese prefer to hire Canadian English teachers because most Canadians have what Americans call a "midwestern" accent. The other three strong accents--southern, ghetto, and New York--are relatively difficult for foreigners to understand, unless that's the one they started studying.

Sure do.

yes they do, I'm an american living in Canada for 20 years, I am told I have picked up the canadian accent.

No, eh?

There are many different accents throughout the US and Canada.

This seems to be a major issue or concern or problem to many. Giving there Open Oppions, Point Of Views, A great deal of there Perspective, and great majority of there thoughts directly into it.


The Main Question that I have heard go around from many different people, would be most Freak quinly asked over all is: Do Canadians have Accents? This is where people make a huge deal of it. I'm not saying everyone, i'm saying some people do.
The one thing that I hate that people tend to do is go off and say things that aren't even true to begin with. They think they know everything, they think they know what there talking about. How do you know what you're talking about if you don't know? People may make there self believe that they know when they really don't. I'm talking about how some people can sit their and talk about someone they never met or don't know in general, or at all. Or compare one person to another and make everybody out as if they were a stereotype of person. Is where my point leads to. "Canadians In General".


I have heard people say (this and that) towards Canadians. And when I say this and that it's a whole lot more than it seems. It's understandable that nobody likes to be criticized. But when it comes down to something so stupid it becomes bigger than it really is, people tend to make a situation so small into something bigger, and shouldn't be made into. It's really not just Canadian's, it's every other nationality out their.


Let me get back to that Main Question I was talking about. Do Canadian's have Accents? it's like asking us is there a such place as Canada?. I'm that kind of Woman that see's and say's something as it really is, and nothing more. So let me be directly honest with you. Everywhere.. you go, and Anyone? meet. You technically hear a voice that you never heard before or a voice so familiar.


If it's anything I hate stereotype people, you have to be Unique in my book. No matter how you look at it you're typically Unique in you're own way no matter how hard you try. As I see it's pretty common that nobody has the same voice no matter how you try to be like one person. Face it you will never be nobody, other than you. Generally everybody's voice is completely different, but seem to have all these kinds of Accents and Languages out their. If you have noticed were separated individually, but not techically.


The thing is no matter who you are? or where you're from? we all have an Accent, as they call it. Different voice, but same Accent. Depends what Country? or Region? you are from that is. I have heard many people say that all Canadian's are alike, or all American's are alike as well. Nobody is alike just because we live in the same Country as other's. Remember there are different parts of Canada or America that you might just be from. Where you as an individual might have this certain Accent than other's. Because you live in a different region as somebody else would. The fact is Canadian's do have Accents too. Some people might have stronger Accents than other's or might just have more of an Accent than other's as well. So the fact is Canadian's do have Accents too. I come to realize the way we speak is an Accent.

Some Canadian's don't nearly notice they do, is where I was saying in the last paragraph there. And than some people notice it completely. Again depends where you're from, is what matters. I heard that American's notice it more, or from right in the begining as we speak, and that when we pronounce certain words.


The one word that people complain that Canadian's use alot and that's obviously common that American's don't would be the word "eh". It's sad how people try to copy Canadian's where they try to add "eh's" where they really don't belong, "eh" is a kind of a word or something you would use end of a Sentence or a Question or a Torical Question like it's a nice day out their "eh". Something they really don't have to anwser. Or its a short answer like uh huh. So you can't just throw it in anywhere you want to. I noticed alot of people try to when there just making fun of Canadian's. Is where the Stereotype kind of people begin to come into the picture. People ask why do Canadian's say "eh?" after every Question? (let me clarify) that we "Do not say "eh?" after every Question we ever ask. Not every Canadian says it, but you will hear many that do but still not after every question It's just a slang that Canadian's use, Just as American's use Huh? after certain Questions. It's just a way of speech of I suppose.


People ask what's the difference between a Canadian Accent? and and a American Accent? You get people that would say the only difference is they pronounce some words differently or it's only vowel change in how they they say some words more differently than American's would. Then you would get some people that would say they just sound like American's. That's not entirely true. To the Americans, we seem to clip our words, not draw them out, which gives us our 'accent'. And for some reason, we seem to say 'eh?' a lot. (pronounces 'ay'). Canadian accents sound different to everyone. Mainly because there is English & French Accents. And they are mixtures of every other English & French speaking country. Canada is very diverse--there isn't really ONE Canadian accent. For example, the people from Newfoundland sound very very Irish, where as the people from Alberta sound totally different. Those in Ontario sound similar to SOME New York accents (the minor ones) and those in Quebec sound like they're from France. I suggest you visit and see for yourself.


Everyone has an accent. It only sounds unusual to you because it is different from you're own. And Canada is a huge Country, there are many different Accents. Just like there are many different Accents in the United States. And guess what... alot of them sound silly to us, just like we may sound silly to you. But (many) define that Canadian Accents are somehow funny and hilarious to them as there selves as an individual. Where clearly it's not! Techically to comfirm alot have said that Canadian's say (Aboot) or (Abawt) instead of (About). Is how they say they know a Canadian for a American. (Let me make something clear) i'm not doubting or saying we don't pronounce (About) in that way (But not every Canadian) pronounces it that way. (Depends where you're from makes all the difference) But majority of us say (About) like American's or everybody else. Just because we may say some words differently than other's does not make us any less of a human or an individual in our Country. Were born and raised where we were born and raised simple as that.

Canada has two offical languages: English and French but Canada is recognized as a multi-cultural country and many language groups with in it. Some significent groups are Ukaranian, German, Spanish, Portugese, Italian, Mandarian, Japanise.


French is spoken in almost all parts of Canada, not just in Quebec. For example, there are large areas of Ontario and New Brunswick in which French is the first language of the majority of the population. French speaking population centres exist in every province.

Second, Quebecers should not be referred to as 'immigrants.' Quebec was founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, who is often referred to as 'The Father of Canada.' 'New France' was a French colony. French speaking people settled in Quebec and Acadia hundreds of years before English speaking people began settling in what is now Canada. The French were here first.

Third, it should be noted that French is an Official Language in Canada. Not all Canadians speak French. The majority speak English. There is, however, a steadily growing segment of the population that can speak both languages fluently.

People mainly ask us what's a Canadian Accent? Well born a Canadian within my 19 year's I never even knew that anyone in Canada had an Accent as silly as it sounds. I finally found out that many different parts of Canada do have Accents (again) depends from where you are from. I heard that A Canadian Accent is a mixture of Scottish and Irrish among French of course it being one of our two official languages. And partly New york Buffulo Accent if you live near the border as I heard. Also very much that english and proper way we us as Canadians have. There is similarities when it comes to Canadian speaking and American speaking. I would look at it as a unique Accent that Canadians have we have mixtures of Accents in one you mise well say. Ontario people, have a minor accent that I heard that it's not that strong (depends) but we have a way of speaking people say. Which it can become noticeable, only to those who have great hearing of the ear or never actually spoke to a Canadian before.

Is there a difference between Canadian's and American's when it comes to Accents and actuall Speaking? in general? (Yes) I find a major difference in the way we (act and do things) yes 100% But as for speaking within those two nationalitys (again) there are (similarities) between Canadian's and American's. We just attend to say some words differently than American's would normally say or (at all). For example: people talk about how Canadian's have a weird way of saying the word (About) or (Out) or anything that has a (O) in it in certain words I suppose. I may be Canadian but I do not or have I ever said (Oot) Or (Aboot) I Pacificly say (Out And About) Normally. I guess some people tend to say it that way but not every Canadian does. There would be another word that I haven't heard anybody mention and that would be the word (Again) American's would say (Again) and Canadian's would tend to say (A-Gain) I do not say (A-Gain) I say it practically like everybody else would (Again). Keep in mind not every Canadian speaks the same. Just because we live in the same Country as other's.


As being a Canadian myself born and raised here. I never really noticed an Accent whenever I spoke, if ever. There's no such thing as speaking normal. Everybody must have an Accent in some kind of way, even though it's not that detectable, where in other's it can be. Since I think about it some words might come out differently with an a slight Accent when I speak. It has happend. My Biological Father was born in Ottawa, Ontario Canada. He's French Canadian. But doesn't speak French. Just because you were born in French Region doesn't mean you speak French fluently. If he had stayed living their maybe he would of picked it up quite quiclky and French would of been his second language today. I am also French Canadian, of course. But do not speak fluent French either. But am half French which is my nationality. I am also part German I do have great percentage of German in me because many of my family members are German. I still have to detect what other nationality's that I could possibly have within me that I don't know about. When you're around the same thing for a very long time, you never really notice things that well, or at all. Where other people can pick it out so quickly and vividly, and wonder how they even saw what you didn't see. As for Accents my parents are always around me, have been with me since forever so they wouldn't notice if I had an Accent or not. Where it takes an outsider or somebody that's hardly with me on a daily basis to actually notice those kind of things.


Honestly I really don't tend to pick up any kind of Accent within my voice, maybe because I always hear it everyday that I just don't notice it "Maybe I acually have an Accent that i'm not aware of. People will see you or hear you differently, as you see and hear yourself. But over all I am a Canadian and I do have an Canadian Accent! i'm just not fully aware how it really sounds or how strong it may be to other's. Many people find a Canadian Accent Sexy! and Cute! Do you..?

There are many different Canadian and American accents, which ones are you comparing?

i can't improve on kelsea's answer except to say that a friend visited from britain and commented on the pervasive use of the metasyntactical variable "eh" throughout our area - i was living in north bay.

the piece de resistance came when we took my two older daughters to cadets. on the way out, i opened the door and it was nearly ripped out of my hands by the wind.

"whoo! windy, eh?" said a guy coming in.

"cold, too, eh?" said a woman behind me.

"yeah, eh?" i replied to them both and he said "omg, you guys really DO say it all the time!"

we all turned and stared at him - "say what all the time?"

"eh! you say it ALL the TIME!"

"we do?" the woman asked, somewhat puzzled.

"i guess so, eh?" the guy offered.

and we all laughed.

when he got back to britain, he ended up getting pummelled (good-naturedly) by his friends because he couldn't stop saying it, lol.