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imported_kier

Juniors
Messages
325
A great thread!

I just thought I'd add my own twopence.......

On the question of the 13 stripes on the US flag Gav is right to say that the stripes represent the origional (east coast) colonies.

What isn't so well known is that the stripes pre-date the stars by several years. Indeed the stripes were origionally thought up and used by the British colonists. Early flags had the 13 stripes with a union jack where the stars are now placed. Similar to the Austarlian/NZ flags. I had always assumed the red and white had been taken directly from the flag of St George.



MFC also asked about the different spellings of labor/labour.

Similar differences also exist with other words such as centre/center and colour/colour.

The origins of this are to do with the historical importance of Norman French on the language of Anglo-Saxon which eventually formed the English language over many centuries.

The french influence brought several words with the gallic "tre" and "our" endings, which would (initially) have been different to the indigionous "er" and "or" ending of the Anglo-Saxons.

It also explains why english often has several words for the same thing - as both french and A.Saxon words would be adopted.

The reason for the variation in spellings is mainly a result of the UK/USA split after 1776. Prior to this time there were no set spellings for words - even peoples own names would often be written several ways.

When spellings became fixed the British adopted spellings more in keeping with the history of the words, reflecting the medieval influences. A system of grammer based on ancient Greek and Latin was also adopted. These rules became standard throughout the English speaking world......as this was basically the Empire.

Except the USA. Which chose a more phonetic spelling system (interesting how phonetic isn't spelt how it sounds :) ).

As a result two spelling systems developed - and as the cultural influence of the US spreads the "new world" spellings become more prevelant.

I have a question for Canadian Steve - is there any difference in spellings between Canada and the US or has the US system pushed out the UK's influence?
 
C

CanadianSteve

Guest
kier: When I went to school in the 60s and 70s we were taught the British spelling - colour, neighbour, labour, etc. I still use it, but I think the US spelling has pushed out the British with some Canadians, simply because we see it a lot and it's shorter. I don't think there is any official Canadian authority that says the British spelling is correct, but I believe the Canadian Press news agency and our newspapers still use British spelling.
 
Messages
341
What about the word aluminium in comparison to the way theYanks spell and pronounce itit, aluminum.
At least they pronounce the words <u>colour </u>and <u>labour </u>as we do (well kinda). What's the story behind their spelling and pronounciation of aluminum?
'fan-baller

 
Messages
341
BTW Steve (or anyone else who can): Please tell me the correct definition of the following American (slang) words,

Mac Daddy
Slim Shaddy
Phat
Trippin

'Sup
Wigger (not a typo)
Five-0
Crib
Hoochie Mamma
Trailor Trash



.... I'm pretty sure I know just about all of them, but I wanna make sure
'Fan-baller


 

ex-manager

Juniors
Messages
762
I think I know how a Canadian accent sounds. It can be hard to spot. As Marcus pointed out, Canadians pronounce out and house differently than most Yanks.I also think there's more Scottish influence on the Canadian accent than in any US accent, Scots pronounce out and house in a similar way to Canadians. However,it's probablethat people in upstate area's of New York and other border area's, ie, Detroit, sound very similar to Canadians.
 
L

legend

Guest
Having lived in Canada I find the Canadian accent very easy to pick over a U.S one. The Canadian accent is much more refined and smooth whereas the U.S accent has more of a drawl and is very nasal sounding. Yanks don't end every sentence in eh!
 
C

CanadianSteve

Guest
fan-baller: Sorry, I'm of the wrong generation to define those expressions for you.
Gav: I don't notice the way we say out and house, but I've heard Americans say the same thing as you are saying. You're right about Americans in northeastern US border areas, but western Americans also speak in what I think of as the accent-free Canadian English.
Basically I think Canadians speak the best English in the world, followed by the Oxford/BBC English and some Americans. The rest of you Brits, Welsh, Scots, Irish, Aussies, Kiwis and South Africans (have I forgotten any) have messed up the language something terrible. :
 
V

Vertigo

Guest
Mac Daddy - An 'older' man (usually wealthy)who either dates, is married toor regularly picks up much younger women. Usually refered to as a 'legend' or a 'stud' in Oz

Slim Shaddy - A persons alternate or other side. Kind of a Jeckyl and Hyde thing

Phat - Good..Excellent ..
Trippin - Someone acting or talking nonesense because they are (supposedly) 'trippin' or highon drugs

'Sup - What's up? Can also be used (and often is)as a greeting between two people, like in "Hi, how are you?"

Wigger (not a typo) - Answered correctly by Gav

Five-0 - Mainly used by street thugs and gangs as a slang for POLICE. Comes from the 80's flick Hawai Five-O

Crib - Home..house
Hoochie Mamma - An 'older' female who dresses and-or acts in a manner which is deamed slutty and inappropriate for he age

Trailor Trash - Think about it..

Vertigo.



 

ex-manager

Juniors
Messages
762
Steve, the reason why Canada is relatively free of regional accents is due to the fast settlement of the country west of Ontario. This is also the very same reason why most area's in the US west of the Mississippi don't have regional accents. If you settle an area withinabout ageneration as most of western Canada and the western USA were, regional accents have no time to develop.
 
Messages
341
That was phat Virtigo
emwink.gif

Thanks mate

'fan-baller



 
C

CanadianSteve

Guest
Thanks, Gav. I was just kidding around, but you are giving out educated answers. Very interesting.
 
C

CanadianSteve

Guest
Although, Gav, I don't understand how a strong accent such as the southern US develops, or regional accents such as in some US cities like Boston, Chicago, Brooklyn and the Bronx in NYC. Even Buffalo , in western NY near Ontario, has an accent a bit like Chicago's.
 

ex-manager

Juniors
Messages
762
Steve, I thought Brooklyn got it's accent from Mel Blanc, or was it the other way round?

Talking of accents (Again) why does the Aussie Strine sound like it does? Why don't Aussies sound like Yanks or Canadians?
 
O

ozbash

Guest
the kiwi language is pure. it is spoken as it is written.
the australians have wrecked the english language,their use of slang combined with their high pitched voices have changed the language forever..

we will always be understood in this world.


the english ? well just listen to a yorky.
emsmile.gif


canadians have the next purest after us.......
 

ex-manager

Juniors
Messages
762
"the english ? well just listen to a yorky.
emsmile.gif
"

Ay up! Is that a bloody dig at t'finest accent known in t'civilised world?
 

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