Speech pattern and typographical variations across Canada

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by GlassCity

Well you're the only Quebecois here, and I've noticed that pronouncing it with a 'W' is just about the worst thing one could do. However if I said Keh-beck here I would be corrected to use a 'W.'

Don't worry, I think you're very cool

I'd say Kwee-bec, kwuh-bec and kew-bec are roughly equivalent to eye-rak, eye-ran and eye-talian when it comes to being cringe-worthy.

[lio45]

That's weird because for us there's only one possible way to pronounce Québec. Even the French can't mess it up (and God knows that whenever they can, they do).

In English I pronounce it Kwe-beck... it's cringeworthy?

[MonkeyRonin]

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

That's basically perfect.

We teach people here the correct way by telling them to pronounce "Newfoundland" exactly as they would "Understand". Same amount of time and emphasis for each syllable of both.

I like to pronounce it "New-Finland". Just so people will think that's where it got its name.

[lio45]

Originally Posted by GlassCity

Well you're the only Quebecois here

He's actually a mix of Franco-Ontarian and Acadian.

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by lio45

He's actually a mix of Franco-Ontarian and Acadian.

He lives in Quebec, that makes him a Quebecois as far as we're concerned way over here (or Quebecer if you prefer, but that makes even me cringe.)

[hipster duck]

I usually say:

Kwe-bec (but I use the demonym Québecois, pronounced in a very Anglo way: Keh-beh-kwah).

Noo-fen-LAND (emphasis on the 'land').

Others:

Montreal: Mun-TREE-awl
Ottawa: Oddawa
Peterborough: Peter-BUR-row
Toronto: Ti-RAWN-no
Saskatchewan: S'ska-che-waun
Calgary: Cal-GREE
Tofino: Toe-FEE-no

[lio45]

Out of curiosity, if you have to imagine you're hearing the entire string of words "Province of Quebec", don't you all always hear it pronounced the same way?

(Question for everyone...)

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by lio45

Out of curiosity, if you have to imagine you're hearing the entire string of words "Province of Quebec", don't you all always hear it pronounced the same way?

(Question for everyone...)

Yeah, the way I say it, Kwehbeck. I've never heard it pronounced any other way in English.

[lio45]

Originally Posted by GlassCity

Yeah, the way I say it, Kwehbeck. I've never heard it pronounced any other way in English.

Yeah, obviously the question was meant for those who don't already always pronounce it Kwebeck regardless of context.

I knew how you two (the two British Columbians who just posted) would answer it, I'm more curious about the answers of people with closer ties to Quebec.

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by lio45

Yeah, obviously the question was meant for those who don't already always pronounce it Kwebeck regardless of context.

I knew how you two (the two British Columbians who just posted) would answer it, I'm more curious about the answers of people with closer ties to Quebec.

You did say for everyone

[wg_flamip]

Originally Posted by hipster duck

Others:

Montreal: Mun-TREE-awl
Ottawa: Oddawa
Peterborough: Peter-BUR-row
Toronto: Ti-RAWN-no
Saskatchewan: S'ska-che-waun
Calgary: Cal-GREE
Tofino: Toe-FEE-no

Peterborough is closer to "pita-BUR-oh" for me, "pita-BRO" when I'm speaking quickly ("pita" here as in "pita bread").

Like these guys, especially right near the end:

• Video Link

(God I miss that city sometimes).

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by GlassCity

He lives in Quebec, that makes him a Quebecois as far as we're concerned way over here (or Quebecer if you prefer, but that makes even me cringe.)

I know he was teasing me. He likes to do that!

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by lio45

He's actually a mix of Franco-Ontarian and Acadian.

Ontario is actually the province where I've technically lived the longest (soon to be passed by Quebec though), but I'm very predominantly Acadian in origin and also by birth.

I don't actually feel that Franco-Ontarian as there are quite a few things in the Franco-Ontarian mindset that I don't agree with and get on my nerves. Though I do sympathize with them.

Between Franco-Ontarian and Acadian, I definitely feel more Acadian.

And even so, my everyday life and reality is most definitely francophone Québécois.

I identify as "from Quebec" or Québécois everywhere I go outside Quebec.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by Xelebes

Newf'n-land (troche)
Keh-beck (iamb)

Kwuh-BEC here, in English. Keh-beck if speaking French.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Cue-beck is out there too.

I remember Claire Martin pronouncing it "Kyuh-bec" on the CBC weather forecasts. Maybe a British thing?

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

That's basically perfect.

We teach people here the correct way by telling them to pronounce "Newfoundland" exactly as they would "Understand". Same amount of time and emphasis for each syllable of both.

I call it "Nyew-fun-LAND". Or sometimes "NYEW-fun-land".

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by Acajack

I'd say Kwee-bec, kwuh-bec and kew-bec are roughly equivalent to eye-rak, eye-ran and eye-talian when it comes to being cringe-worthy.

But Acajack, it IS Kwuh-bec! I'd agree about Kwee-bec, but I've only ever heard that pronunciation used in a mocking fashion.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

I remember Claire Martin pronouncing it "Kyuh-bec" on the CBC weather forecasts. Maybe a British thing?

Many Brits also say "Canada" in a way that sounds almost like "Canader".

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Many Brits also say "Canada" in a way that sounds almost like "Canader".

That struck me in the Giles Coren video clip, posted above. Some New Englanders do that as well.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Many Brits also say "Canada" in a way that sounds almost like "Canader".

Definitely noticed that. Same with Aussies. I also hear them say Alberta as "Al-beutter".