Canadian English

The Canadian English (Canadian English) is spoken in Canada variant of the English language. 17.1 million Canadians (60% of total population) use English as their native language and a total of 24 million Canadians (84%) can speak English ( 1996 census ). The Canadian English is closer than American English British English, but differs from both in important characteristics. For Europeans, some of these features are often difficult to distinguish from American English (similar to the differences between Australian and New Zealand English ), but they are often salient for Canadians, that is prominent and thus identity -forming.

Vocabulary

The most extensive collection can be found in the Dictionary of Canadianisms on Historical Principles ( Avis et al., 1967), which will be reviewed at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver since 2006 ( www.dchp.ca ).

Grammar ( morphology and syntax)

Studies in this area have been around since the 1950s. A recent sociolinguistic introduction in the field of grammar variation (among others), there is in the work of Sali Tagliamonte and the end of 2011, in Dialect Topography: A Research Handbook.

Phonetics and phonology

The Atlas of North American English ( Labov, Ash and Boberg (2006) and Boberg (2010) ) provides the best empirical details of phonology and phonetics of Canadian English and its variants.

Pragmatics ( language use )

Studies are available, but lacking in this new research area yet an extensive summary. The modal particle " Eh " was studied among others in Gold and Tremblay (2006), and these particles also played a role in the US-American coverage of the Olympics in Vancouver.

Spelling

A generally accepted standardized spelling for the Canadian English does not exist. However, the templates of the Canadian Press news agency affect normative and are followed by most print media in Canada. The transcripts of the Canadian parliamentary sessions are also occasionally used as a model, often the requirements of the Canadian Oxford Dictionary.

Also in spelling takes the Canadian English a middle position between the British and American traditions. The British spelling is followed in some words on -our ( honor, color, endeavor ), - re ( center, theater ) and Cheque, gray, jewelery, pajamas, storey and sulfur. In aluminum, artifact, jail, curb, specialty, tire and carburetor, however, the American spelling has prevailed, as for words that end in -ize ( realize instead REALISE ). The word programs is in Canadian English, as in the American program to if it is a TV show, in the theater or concert hall, however, a program is still offered.

Vocabulary

Because of the proximity to the French in Canada are in Canadian English some Gallicisms such as the word tuque from the Canadian- French word for hat. Especially many Gallicisms use the Anglo - Quebecers who call a depanneur or highways autoroute a business with extra long opening times.