I Think I Am Turning Canadian I Really Think So!
A play on the lyrics of that song by the Vapors' "Turning Japanese." And straight out of the epic files of random, it is incredible how we can be influenced and take on mannerisms without really thinking about things, and it can come down to associations.
Folks have been saying you sound so different these days, and I guess it is like looking out with your eyes. You never see your face until you look in the mirror. Being online, we are continually exposed to different versions of the same language, and it appears that we can pick up some mannerisms.
A Random Event!
This is awesome, I was at a cafe, and someone approached me, and asked where I hailed from, they were Canadian. It transpired it was how I was pronouncing some of my words.
It is kind of weird you are doing something, and you are unaware you are doing it.
One of the pronunciations in question;
About; we pronounce "a bout"
About; Canadian version "a buot"
The same word sounds different and pronounced differently; it means the same thing; it was such a classic.
I am a thinking guy; I started to think about writing, a lot of the times we write stuff and are we writing so that our readers understand or are we creating Double Dutch, no offense intended, it is where we are crafting, jibberish, where it is hard for the reader to, understand what we are going on about/abuot.
It can be helpful to look at the words we are creating from the perspective of the reader. Not necessarily on the proofreading, but going back and revisiting. I will guarantee you will have one of those "what was I thinking moments." As always the edit button can be one of our best friends.
It's all about learning, and that gives weight to revisiting and updating content, maintaining relevancy.
It is all about learning.
I learned something new; it is called the "Canadian rising " it relates to pronunciation, are you a rider, or are you a writer. Didn't even know, I guess we do pick up things from talking and listening to others, without realizing.
It sounds like you are a rider, classic: a rider or a writer. When you think about the online world, it cuts across many borders, and there is such a diversity of cultures and nationalities involved. On the large part, many are caring, sincere, and honest individuals.
Two things shared in common is the desire to create new life outcomes and the words that we create as individuals have we hope that universal appeal.
Have a very productive week, folks.
Alex Evans.
Recent Comments
34
Great post Alex, I only wonder where you been hanging around, are you from Minnesota or visited there lately, they sound a lot like Canadians too. Whether I write a post for WA or an email, since I use Microsoft word first most of my writing problems are resolved. My writings would be atrocious if it wasn't for the editing and spellcheckers.
Joe
Hi Joe, currently hanging a round in New Zealand, there are so many folks from all over the world here. It was interesting, from the prospect that we tend to pick up nuances from who we associate with.
I have to agree, currently trying to boost my typing speeds so the spelling and punctuation is as you say atrocious. I would be lost without Garmmarly, making very good progress after years of being hampered having two hands that only have thumbs is not so helpful.
Thank you for stopping by.
Alex
Hi, Jeff coming from you that is a real complement thank you. We are a community from all parts of the globe. We learn off each other.
Alex
Having grown up in Canada - I am well aware of the differences in the way Canadians say and do things. But I could not have chosen to grow up in a nice place, full of great people.
My apologies if that offends anyone, but that is what being from Canada is abuot.
Alex
Hi Alex, I have to agree, Canada is a fantasic place, when we look at our global communities we all have those nuances in pronunciation and word meaning.
No more so than Aussies and Kiwis and our friends from the UK.
Our connection is the words that we create, we all have so many different audiences and reaching out it can be good to realate.
It was also interesting that we seek connection.
Alex
*** What an interesting post! .... thanks kindly for enunciating the subtle distinctions of voice ... chuckles! ... cheerio ... :) ***
Classic Keisha thank you for commenting, we speak with words, and it just struck me that we are in a global market but at times we create and perceive from a localized point of view.
I have glanced some content and discovered I made sense in my own lunch box but not necessarily the lunch boxes of others.
A little wake up call for me.
Alex
.... there's also 'regional' variations in speech no matter which country ....
.... and for Canada, you gotta be able to say 'eh!' and that's right across the board --- a delightful story for another day! ... yessire!
.. lunch box? .. 🥡 .. what's in your lunch box? .... please do share!
Love a hot lunch though .... or hot breakfast! .... chuckles! ...
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I met a guy at some event or other, he was from Minnesota. He was a little bummed because of the good humor surrounding his accent. I said, you don't have an accent Dave, we do. He brightened at that, and made fun of My Accent. Good post today Alex.
Greg
Hi Greg, Thank you for commenting, that is one of the strange things, everyone else has an accent, except me.
It kind of reminds me of playback shock, when you first hear your recorded voice played back.
Differences only occur when they are pointed out.
Alex