How to Speak Canadian

If you speak English or French, you already know the basics of speaking Canadian. Although English is Canada's official language, French is the main language for about one quarter of the population. When people refer to "Canadianspeak," though, they are referring to the sounds and slang of English as it is spoken in Canada.

Things You'll Need

• Access to Canadian radio or television stations is recommended, though not required.

Instructions

1. Change any sentence or even a word or two into a question by adding the sound "eh" (pronounced like "aye") and raising your voice slightly at the end. For instance, "This is a great beer" becomes a question: "This is a great beer, eh?" "Nice day" can become an inquiry, "Nice day, eh?"

2. Blend separate vowel sounds into just one sound. For instance, the word "about" sounds as if it is spelled a-b-o-o-t. "Calgary," sounds like "Calgree."

3. Drop some uniquely Canadian words into your sentences occasionally, such as "loonie," meaning a 1-dollar coin, "toonie," meaning a 2-dollar coin, or "Canuck," meaning "Canadian."

4. Inject the word "hockey," "curling" or "lacrosse" into any discussion to start a lively discussion about sports.

5. Pronounce the long sound of the letter "u" as if it were spelled "yu." For instance, "Tuesday" is pronounced "Tyoosday" or even "Chewsdee."

6. Soften the sounds of the vowel "a" as in the words "class," "pack" or "glad." Make it sound halfway between the American and the English sounds of the vowel.