Speech pattern and typographical variations across Canada - Page 86

RWin · #**1701** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 2:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

The fast way to make the point that you're talking to the collective you as opposed to the individual you is to add "guys", however crass you may think it is.

Yup, languages change over time (go back far enough and we wouldn't even recognize the language as English).

My daughters and their female friends, when in a group together, refer to collective you as guys. Something like, "hey guy's, lets go to the store."

RWin · #**1702** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 2:28 PM**

The one that bugs me is using they or their to refer to a single person.

For example, Darcy didn't specify whether he was male or female in his Facebook profile. So I'll see a notice that says, "Darcy updated their status."

Okay, so I get that Facebook doesn't say "Darcy updated his status" (or her status) since it doesn't know the correct one. But their? Like I said, languages change but maybe a new word would be better than repurposing an existing one.

esquire · #**1703** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 2:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

That would have a disrespectful ring to it. I'd prefer "you folks", if "you" needs to be embellished.

Haha... "you people" often comes across very derisively even if it's not intended to... I am reminded of the airplane scene from Anger Management which speaks to that.

• Video Link

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

Good explanation but what do you mean by T-V?

To a francophone it sounds like you are referring to "tu" (informal) and "vous" (formal).

That's basically what it means... the same issue is common to many languages: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%E2%80%93V_distinction

French still maintains that distinction, whereas in English, the equivalent of "tu" has virtually diseappeared from every pretty well facet of life except Shakespeare and The Bible. When every individual and every group is a vous, it's no surprise that people will improvise in an effort to be clear.

I was only half kidding when I said we should bring back the thee and thou! They only sound funny because they've fallen into disuse for the past 200 years. There is no reason they couldn't be brought back!

esquire · #**1704** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 2:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

You'd certainly hear that in parts of the States (from about Washington DC north. To the south it might be "all you all"). "How is everyone doing today?" could also work.

You know, people tend to scoff a bit at southerners for that "y'all" and "all y'all", but those words do fill a real gap in the English language. Credit to them for that!

Acajack · #**1705** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 3:00 PM**

In spite of my relatively decent English skills, one thing I can't do in English is "ma'am". Even "madam" pronounced the English comes out of my mouth awkwardly.

Wherever I am, if addressing an adult female, I always say "Madame" the French way.

(Well, or senora or frau or signora... but ma'am and madam for some reason I just can't... )

Xelebes · #**1706** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 3:26 PM**

It is why I have adopted the Newfie ye with some Albertan affectations that I'm sure I throw in there.

kwoldtimer · #**1707** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 6:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

In spite of my relatively decent English skills, one thing I can't do in English is "ma'am". Even "madam" pronounced the English comes out of my mouth awkwardly.

Wherever I am, if addressing an adult female, I always say "Madame" the French way.

(Well, or senora or frau or signora... but ma'am and madam for some reason I just can't... )

Ma'am is far more common than "madam", at least in North America. "Madam" seems very formal, plus I think the other meaning leaves people hesitant to use it. I'm surprised that you have trouble with "ma'am". It's pronounced the same as "mam" (rhymes with "ham").

By the way, if you call them "Madame" the French way, you'll charm the bejeepers out of them, especially if it's accompanied by a kiss on the hand.

kwoldtimer · #**1708** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 6:47 PM**

I heard a CBC announcer pronounce the word garage today as "garAJ", which is not wrong but surprised me because "garAHJ" is so much more common in Canada. Is this a regional thing? Or more like "pasta" vs "pahsta"? And please don't say that you pronounce it "GAIR-ej"!

Acajack · #**1709** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 6:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Ma'am is far more common than "madam", at least in North America. "Madam" seems very formal, plus I think the other meaning leaves people hesitant to use it. I'm surprised that you have trouble with "ma'am". It's pronounced the same as "mam" (rhymes with "ham").

By the way, if you call them "Madame" the French way, you'll charm the bejeepers out of them, especially if it's accompanied by a kiss on the hand.

It's entirely a psychological hang-up. I can pronounce it just fine.

Acajack · #**1710** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 6:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

I heard a CBC announcer pronounce the word garage today as "garAJ", which is not wrong but surprised me because "garAHJ" is so much more common in Canada. Is this a regional thing? Or more like "pasta" vs "pahsta"? And please don't say that you pronounce it "GAIR-ej"!

When I say "garage" in English it most certainly does not rhyme with "massage". Though I don't say it like the British, which almost sounds ike "garridge". The way I say it rhymes with the name "Madge".

Boris2k7 · #**1711** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 6:53 PM**

Miss and Ma'am, never Madam.

kwoldtimer · #**1712** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 6:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

It's entirely a psychological hang-up. I can pronounce it just fine.

Well you better work on it - when you meet the Queen, it's "Your Majesty" the first time, but "Ma'am" thereafter!

Aylmer · #**1713** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 6:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

When I say "garage" in English it most certainly does not rhyme with "massage". Though I don't say it like the British, which almost sounds ike "garridge". The way I say it rhymes with the name "Madge".

The way I've always said it is "G'rAWj" or "GarAWj" (without a 'd' in the 'j').
But I live in a prewar neighbourhood, so it's not a word I use a lot

à

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

In spite of my relatively decent English skills, one thing I can't do in English is "ma'am". Even "madam" pronounced the English comes out of my mouth awkwardly.

"MAH-dim" is how I would say it normally, but you could say "Mah-DAM", though I've only ever heard that pronunciation in names (like "Madame Brouillette will be arriving soon"), whereas I've heard the former as a title ("Excuse me, madame").

As for mixed "guys", it's something I've grown up with: when referring to any group of people (male, female or mixed), it's totally normal to address them as "guys" ("Lilly? Sarah? What are you guys doing here?") and "people" (in some contexts: "Listen up, people!").

kwoldtimer · #**1714** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 6:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

When I say "garage" in English it most certainly does not rhyme with "massage". Though I don't say it like the British, which almost sounds ike "garridge". The way I say it rhymes with the name "Madge".

Could be an Eastern Ontario vs Southern Ontario thing? Down here, it usually rhymes with "massage".

Acajack · #**1715** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 7:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Well you better work on it - when you meet the Queen, it's "Your Majesty" the first time, but "Ma'am" thereafter!

Since the Queen speaks French, maybe I'll just use ''Madame" and continue on in that language!

Would you like me to give your regards to her, while I am at it?

Acajack · #**1716** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 7:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Could be an Eastern Ontario vs Southern Ontario thing? Down here, it usually rhymes with "massage".

Could be. I hear people say it both ways all the time.

The way I say it is closer to the French pronunciation as well.

Acajack · #**1717** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 7:04 PM**

I also have a hang-up about saying cruh-ssawnt (croissant) in English. Can't do it either.

kwoldtimer · #**1718** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 7:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

Since the Queen speaks French, maybe I'll just use ''Madame" and continue on in that language!

Would you like me to give your regards to her, while I am at it?

Please do! Actually, I've met a number of world-level personalities and several Canadian Prime Ministers, but the prospect of meeting the Queen is something I would dread. No problem with the rest of that lot, only HER. I will be so sad when she's gone.....

esquire · #**1719** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 7:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

I also have a hang-up about saying cruh-ssawnt (croissant) in English. Can't do it either.

It's OK, you can just say "crescent roll"!

kwoldtimer · #**1720** Posted **Mar 16, 2015, 7:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

I also have a hang-up about saying cruh-ssawnt (croissant) in English. Can't do it either.

A croissant in English is a "crescent roll". Anything else you hear is just bad French!