When most people think about English language varieties, they typically focus on British and American English. However, Canadian English has its own distinct character with unique vocabulary, pronunciation patterns, and spelling conventions. Whether you're planning to study, work, or live in Canada, understanding these distinctive features will help you communicate more effectively and integrate more smoothly into Canadian society.
The Historical Development of Canadian English
Canadian English didn't develop in isolation. It emerged from a complex interplay of historical influences, primarily:
- British influence: From early colonization and the influx of loyalists fleeing the American Revolution
- American influence: Due to geographic proximity and shared media
- Indigenous languages: Contributing unique vocabulary, especially for flora, fauna, and geographic features
- French influence: Particularly in Quebec and other regions with significant French-speaking populations
This blend of influences makes Canadian English a fascinating linguistic hybrid that sometimes follows British patterns, sometimes American ones, and sometimes charts its own course entirely.
Canadian Spelling: Between British and American Conventions
Canadian spelling represents perhaps the most visible example of this hybrid nature. It follows British spelling in some cases and American in others.
British-Style Spellings Common in Canada:
- -our endings: colour, favour, harbour (not color, favor, harbor)
- -re endings: centre, theatre, fibre (not center, theater, fiber)
- -ise/-yse in some words: analyse, paralyse (though "-ize" is also acceptable)
- doubled consonants in some words: travelled, counselling
American-Style Spellings Common in Canada:
- -ize endings: realize, organize (though -ise is also acceptable)
- tire instead of tyre
- program instead of programme (except in specific contexts like "theatre programme")
- aluminum instead of aluminium
This mixture sometimes creates confusion, and Canadian style guides often allow flexibility in some spellings. The Canadian Oxford Dictionary and The Canadian Press Stylebook are considered authoritative references for Canadian spelling.
Distinctly Canadian Vocabulary
One of the most charming aspects of Canadian English is its distinctive vocabulary. Here are some uniquely Canadian terms that you'll encounter:
Everyday Terms:
- Toque: A knitted winter hat (pronounced "toohk")
- Loonie: A one-dollar coin (named for the common loon depicted on it)
- Toonie: A two-dollar coin
- Washroom: Public restroom/bathroom
- Pop: Soft drink/soda
- Parkade: Multi-level parking garage
- Serviette: Paper napkin
- Runners: Sneakers/athletic shoes
- Robertson: A type of screwdriver invented by a Canadian
Food-Related Terms:
- Poutine: A dish of french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy
- Double-double: Coffee with two creams and two sugars (especially at Tim Hortons)
- Kraft Dinner: Boxed macaroni and cheese (often abbreviated as "KD")
- Caesar: A cocktail made with vodka, clamato juice, Worcestershire sauce, and other spices
- Butter tart: A small pastry tart filled with butter, sugar, syrup, and egg
- Nanaimo bar: A no-bake dessert bar with three layers
Expressions and Idioms:
- Give'r: To put maximum effort into something
- Keener: An extremely enthusiastic person, especially a student who is excessively eager
- Out for a rip: Going for a drive or adventure
- Write a test: To take an exam
- Hang a Larry/Hang a Roger: Make a left/right turn
Canadian Pronunciation
Canadian pronunciation generally falls somewhere between American and British English, though it's closer to the American variety in most respects. However, there are several distinctive features:
The Canadian Shift
One of the most distinctive features of Canadian English is "Canadian Raising," which affects the pronunciation of diphthongs before voiceless consonants:
- In words like "about," "house," or "mouth," the first part of the diphthong is pronounced slightly higher in the mouth, often stereotyped (inaccurately) as "aboot" by Americans
- Similarly, in words like "nice," "right," or "like," the diphthong is raised
Other Pronunciation Features:
- Words like "sorry," "tomorrow," and "borrow" are pronounced with a different vowel sound than in American English ("sor-ee" rather than "sar-ee")
- "Z" is typically pronounced "zed" (as in British English) rather than "zee" (as in American English)
- Loan words from French often retain French-like pronunciation, especially in areas with strong French influence
Regional Variations
Canada is a vast country, and Canadian English isn't uniform across its regions:
Atlantic Provinces:
These provinces (Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island) have distinctive accents influenced by British, Irish, and Scottish settlement patterns. Newfoundland English is particularly distinct and can be challenging even for other Canadians to understand.
Quebec English:
English spoken in Quebec is influenced by French in vocabulary, pronunciation, and sometimes sentence structure. Some examples include:
- Using "open" and "close" as adjectives rather than verbs (e.g., "The store is open" instead of "The store is opened")
- Borrowing French expressions like "take a decision" (instead of "make a decision")
Prairie Provinces:
Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta have their own regional expressions, often related to farming and rural life. Some Ukrainian influence can be heard in certain areas due to historical immigration patterns.
British Columbia:
The west coast has pronunciation patterns sometimes similar to the Pacific Northwest of the United States, with increasing influence from Asian languages in urban areas like Vancouver.
Canadian English in Daily Life: Communications and Culture
The Polite Canadian Stereotype
While stereotypes should always be taken with a grain of salt, it's true that Canadian English often emphasizes politeness in communication:
- Frequent use of "sorry" in situations where it might not be used in other English varieties
- Indirect requests rather than direct commands
- The use of "please," "thank you," and other polite expressions is generally more common and expected
Canadian Slang in Context
Understanding slang can help you connect with Canadians in informal settings:
- "Eh": The quintessential Canadian tag question, used to confirm understanding or agreement ("Nice weather, eh?")
- "Beauty": An expression of approval or admiration
- "Two-four": A case of 24 beers
- "The 6ix": Nickname for Toronto
- "Klick": Kilometer
Practical Tips for Adapting to Canadian English
For Written Communication:
- When writing formally in Canada, follow Canadian spelling conventions (use resources like the Canadian Oxford Dictionary)
- Be aware of Canadian terms for government institutions, positions, and processes
- Use metric measurements (temperatures in Celsius, distances in kilometers, etc.)
For Verbal Communication:
- Don't worry too much about perfecting the Canadian accent; focus on clarity
- Be prepared for the question "Where are you from?" as a friendly conversation starter
- Listen for context clues when unfamiliar terms are used
- Don't be afraid to ask for clarification about unfamiliar words or expressions
Resources for Learning Canadian English
If you're interested in deepening your understanding of Canadian English, consider these resources:
- The Canadian Oxford Dictionary
- CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) podcasts and news
- Canadian films and television shows (especially those set in different regions of Canada)
- The Dictionary of Canadianisms on Historical Principles
- Language exchange partners from different Canadian regions
Conclusion
Canadian English reflects the unique history, geography, and cultural fabric of Canada. Understanding its distinctive features not only helps with practical communication but also provides insight into Canadian identity and values.
Whether you're studying, working, or traveling in Canada, embracing these linguistic nuances will enrich your experience and help you connect more deeply with Canadians. Remember that language is always evolving, and regional variations add to the richness of Canadian English.
At Kelen Stagn, our instructors are well-versed in Canadian English and can help you navigate these linguistic nuances. Our courses incorporate authentic Canadian materials and provide opportunities to practice with native Canadian English speakers.