Not quite an elongation - closer to the original (archaic)
pronounciation of both vowels in the dipthong, just as a Geordie
(Northumbrian) will pronounce boat as 'bo-at'. Murkins do something
similar with buoy to produce a very odd pronounciation to other English
speakers (er, that is English you're using isn't it?).
The odd vowel sound is very distinctive outside N. America and usually
a good way to separate C and A to avoid serious offence although I have
been caught out - a student from Lake Placid exhibited the same sound.
Also, given that it's such a large place, we can assume some diversity
can't we? (although there's surprisingly little in Oz). Kiwis simply
shift the vowel one place so we can hear them coming - no stereotypical
over-emphasis required.
The blend of the Scots and French is simply too horrible to contemplate.
AndrewF
On 01/12/2004, at 2:54 PM, Earl Dunbar wrote:
>
> I have NEVER heard a Canadian pronounce it "uh-BOOT", as several have
> implied. A common pronunciation is to add just a bit more "u" vowel
> sound, so it =sounds= more like "uh-boot" (or "hoose") to those who
> are used to hearing "uh BOWT", as in "ouch". But it is actually just
> that the duration of the "u" sound is very slightly longer. What
> non-Canajian speakers do is over-emphasize the difference so as to
> create a stereotype.
>
> I think the influence is Scottish more than anything else, eh? People
> think of present day Canada as being founded by the English and
> French, which in actuality from a cultural viewpoint it's closer to
> Scottish and French. I won't go down the road of the real founding
> cultures, the aboriginal nations of Canada, lest I stir up major OT
> traffic.
>
> Earl
==============================================
List usage info: http://www.zuikoholic.com
List nannies: olympusadmin@xxxxxxxxxx
==============================================
|