Thursday, June 16, 2011

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!

    6 comments:

    1. Ask a Canadian to pronounce "decal" :-)

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. I, true Canadian born & raised but U.S. resident, have always prounced it as; "deck-al", but my fellow Americans insist that it is; "dee-cal". As for badminton, I say, "bad-mint-on", I have heard many Americans say, "bad-ming-ton" or "bad-mitten".

        Delete
    2. What about badminton?

      ReplyDelete
    3. Nice, I've never heard decal before. I'm heading out with some Canadians this evening so will be sure to ask!

      Badminton is another favorite - didn't realize it was all Canadians :)

      ReplyDelete
    4. How useless, eh?
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