Speech pattern and typographical variations across Canada

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by begratto

Generally swear words are not bleeped out on Quebec tv shows.

We also don't blur out nudity on our mainstream TV networks, though this might be OT for a language thread.

[JustForTheHalibut]

Something I've noticed on Virgin radio stations in Canada is that they mute out what would traditionally be considered swearing.

In Dua Lipa's song Love Again, 'gawd damn' is cut out on Virgin but on The Jim Pattison Media Group of stations in Western Canada it isn't muted out.


• Video Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC19kwABFwc

[esquire]

^ The stations in Winnipeg started out playing the uncensored version but I'm pretty sure by September they were playing the censored version. I don't like it because it results in a silent break in the song.

As far as I can recall, Sirius XM always played the censored version on their Hits 1 channel.

[thewave46]

Originally Posted by Acajack

We also don't blur out nudity on our mainstream TV networks, though this might be OT for a language thread.

CTV ran The Sopranos without any cuts (maybe trailing a season behind HBO) AFAIK without seemingly getting too much flak.

With respect to swearing on the radio, I've heard Killing in the Name of by Rage Against the Machine on 102.1 The Edge in all its angry glory. I've also heard the censored version on the local rock station - it doesn't quite have the same pizzazz.

It depends on the station/owner, really.

[SignalHillHiker]

I’ve never heard my father swear. Ever. And he’s not religious or anything. Just doesn’t.

Mom does all the time, usually buttressed with Catholic jibberish.

“OH Jesus fucking Christ!!! … Mary, and Joseph. God forgive me.”

I occasionally hear curse words on live radio and television here but the hosts always warn not to do it again (Open Line is infamous for it).

But TBH most of the curses here are more… creative. More “I’ll fold yer clothes while yer still in’em!” and less “I’ll kick yer fucking arse.” - though you get both.

But, I mean, among the lower classes here, the most offensive thing they can call each other is “goof”. It’s worse than the c-word, WAY worse. But seems pretty PG to me.

[thewave46]

Originally Posted by jonny24

. Rugby team - "'Sup cunts" is essentially the standard greeting.

It's a weird thing, that word. From a Brit, Aussie or Kiwi, it works in a sense.

From a Canadian or American, it doesn't.

[JHikka]

Radio stations have different classifications for what they have to censor and what not to censor. They'll play different versions of songs depending on what their station classification is. Some stations will play pop songs with rap verses and others will play them without, some will censor some and some won't. Depends on their registration.

For Sirius/XM, some stations are censored and some aren't (xL channels, IIRC).

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by esquire

^ The stations in Winnipeg started out playing the uncensored version but I'm pretty sure by September they were playing the censored version. I don't like it because it results in a silent break in the song.

As far as I can recall, Sirius XM always played the censored version on their Hits 1 channel.

When I had Sirius XM, it always seemed to me that they played the uncensored versions of everything, at least for songs that have infamous lyrics and censored radio versions: "givin' head" in Take A Walk on the Wild Side, "faggot" in Money For Nothing, "makin' love in the green grass" in Brown-Eyed Girl, etc.

Though maybe it's just certain channels and not others.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Acajack

When I had Sirius XM, it always seemed to me that they played the uncensored versions of everything, at least for songs that have infamous lyrics and censored radio versions: "givin' head" in Take A Walk on the Wild Side, "faggot" in Money For Nothing, "makin' love in the green grass" in Brown-Eyed Girl, etc.

Though maybe it's just certain channels and not others.

Yeah, to JHikka's point, the stations that play explicit lyrics are tagged with xL, but I have had it on TikTok radio which, IIRC, doesn't have that tag and I'm pretty sure they play the explicit versions of songs. Unless I'm misremembering.

The curious thing about "Love Again" is that the local pop stations started out playing the uncensored version for a couple of months before switching to the sanitized version. I guess somebody must have called and complained.

And also to SHH's point, yeah, "goof" is pretty much fighting words for the underclass here too. It's funny because I remember using that as a relatively harmless schoolyard insult when I was in like grade 4.

[jonny24]

Originally Posted by thewave46

It's a weird thing, that word. From a Brit, Aussie or Kiwi, it works in a sense.

From a Canadian or American, it doesn't.

It's definitely something that we've picked up from them since most clubs have one or two guys from those countries. Or guys going over to play and coming back with it.

[Proof Sheet]

Originally Posted by esquire

, but I have had it on TikTok radio which, IIRC, doesn't have that tag and I'm pretty sure they play the explicit versions of songs.

There's a radio station for TikTok I"m assuming it is an online radio station.

[Architype]

Originally Posted by SignalHillHiker

I’ve never heard my father swear. Ever. And he’s not religious or anything. Just doesn’t.

Mom does all the time, usually buttressed with Catholic jibberish.

“OH Jesus fucking Christ!!! … Mary, and Joseph. God forgive me.”

I occasionally hear curse words on live radio and television here but the hosts always warn not to do it again (Open Line is infamous for it).

But TBH most of the curses here are more… creative. More “I’ll fold yer clothes while yer still in’em!” and less “I’ll kick yer fucking arse.” - though you get both.

But, I mean, among the lower classes here, the most offensive thing they can call each other is “goof”. It’s worse than the c-word, WAY worse. But seems pretty PG to me.

That kind of cursing is a linguistic art when done properly, but a sign of illiteracy when used without skill or necessity. Many NL colloquialisms are so new that they are not even familiar to me, it's creative how that part of the language evolves. Where I grew up cursing was forbidden, relegated mostly to those heathens who drink, but the more daring kids did it anyway. My mom literally put soap in my mouth if I did it. Today I may use a curse word once or twice a week at most.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Proof Sheet

There's a radio station for TikTok I"m assuming it is an online radio station.

TikTok Radio is a SiriusXM channel.

[thewave46]

Originally Posted by esquire

TikTok Radio is a SiriusXM channel.

Does it just play clips of songs?

[megadude]

More hilarity from this guy and totally on point.

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZM8MpYTSU/

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by megadude

More hilarity from this guy and totally on point.

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZM8MpYTSU/

You just brought back bad memories of me sitting on a city bus in inner Ottawa surrounded by guys talking just like this.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by thewave46

Does it just play clips of songs?

Haha... that's actually what I expected when it first came on.

But it plays the whole thing.

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by esquire

TikTok Radio is a SiriusXM channel.

I stick to SPA. I need the relaxing background music.

[Acajack]

OK there is "the dole", trotted out by Ontario Premier Doug Ford this week.

What about "eavestroughs"? Every anglo place I've lived in (Ontario + East) used this term instead of the US term "gutter". What about the West? Or SW Ontario? (A gutter to me is on the side of the road, or on the edges of a bowling lane.)

"Chips" seems to have totally died out for "french fries", though it still lives on when we're talking about a "chip stand" or a "chip wagon". At least in some parts of the country.

[Jimmy Nimby]

Francophones resent English but every French Canadian uses at least 2-3 English words in every sentence. Prove me wrong.