Why do Canadians say "Eh" and "Aboot"????

Question

There is a canadian comedy show called "Trailer Park Boys". The show is full of "Eh's" and the word about is pronounced as "Aboot".

Personally I think this "eh" stuff is the result of the french speakers in this country. "Eh' is used very little on the west coast of Canada.

Answer 1

http://www.chass.utoronto.ca/canengglobal/abstracts/elaine_gold_mireille_tremblay.pdf

The only usage of eh? that is exclusive to Canada, according to the Canadian Oxford Dictionary, is for "ascertaining the comprehension, continued interest, agreement, etc., of the person or persons addressed" as in, "It's four kilometres away, eh, so I have to go by bike." Similarly, "It's nine-o'clock, eh?" means "You do know that it's nine o'clock? You are aware that it's nine-o'clock?". This phrase can also be taken as a direction question, such as "It's nine-o'clock, right?"

In that case, eh? is used to confirm the attention of the listener and to invite a supportive noise such as "Mm" or "Oh" or "Okay". It essentially is an interjection meaning, "I'm checking to see you're listening so I can continue."

"Eh" can also be added to the end of a declarative sentence to turn it into a question. For example: "The weather is nice." becomes "The weather is nice, eh?" This same phrase could also be taken as "The weather is nice, don't you agree?".

Depending on the speaker's tone or the dialectal standard, eh can also be perceived as rude or impolite, as "Repeat that!", and not a request.

Further examples of Canadian usage include: "I know, eh?" (Agreement), "Yeah, eh?" (Agreement; tone of voice changes meaning slightly). "I know. Eh!" (Pause between 'know' and 'eh' and emphasise 'eh'. This is an excited agreement.) Although technically questions, these are also said as statements.

The usage of "eh" in Canada is often mocked in the United States, where some view its use as a stereotypical Canadianism. Many Canadians dispute its use (for example, singer Don Freed in his song "Saskatchewan" declares "What is this 'Eh?' nonsense? I wouldn't speak like that if I were paid to."). There are many merchandise items on the market today that use this phrase, such as t-shirts and coffee mugs.

Answer 2

with the exception of the Canadian national anthem, there is not any such element. If some critic thinks they are in a position to tell Canadians which artists music is the definitive Canadian sound then they're full of crap. music would not have a nationality - an artist might properly be born right here yet that's unlikely to signify their music is right away representative. It would not define what they % to play or maybe their variety. in line with possibility they might properly be defined in an exceedingly simplistic way as belonging to a "variety", yet it extremely is definitely a foul thank you to describe any artwork. in line with possibility extra severely that's an exceedingly disrespectful thank you to brush aside all of an artist's artwork that reaches exterior of that constrained definition. in basic terms somebody who has not extra musical appreciation than the dollar value of a CD on the money sign up may well be so shallow as to think of that music or maybe artists could be defined with no longer something better than a flag it is shared with the help of tens of millions of individuals. each guy or woman in a rustic is unique. Claiming all and sundry or their artwork is the definitive "Canadian" sound might additionally thoroughly insult all the different Canadian artists which you probably did no longer point out. all of them deserve the call... picking one out purely tells us each little thing with regard to the non-public tastes, evaluations and prejudices of a critic besides the fact that it says no longer something with regard to the massive scope of what Canadian music is definitely like.

Answer 3

The previous answerer covered "eh" pretty thoroughly! I'll just add that I have heard people from the Praries using it, but not as much from B.C. people.

Regarding "aboot" ... it's a Britishism that's stayed in Canadian lingo, but which the Americans didn't adopt. Canadian English in general is closer to British English than American English is.

Answer 4

I've no idea why but I thought 'aboot' was more Scottish like...

Answer 5

for the same reason we have people in the States who don't realize they are saying. you know. you know, you know or people in some states who add an "R" at the end of every word

Answer 6

the same reason East coast dwellers say CAAAA not car

Answer 7

if they said about, they'd have to be able to open their jaws. Since it's so freakin cold in canada, the language is adapted to keep mouths closed.

Answer 8

kayy so shut up
wee so dont say that shiitt
its just stuff u people come up with