Job Discussion Forums

johnslat · Posted: Thu May 27, 2004 5:29 pm Post subject: About aboot and aboat

I don't know - whenever I hear Peter Jennings say it, it sounds to me like "aboot".
Regards,
John

inmexico · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 110 Location: The twilight zone

As a youngster growing up in Toronto, I was introduced to the metric system (in school) in 1977. I believe that Canada, as a nation, officially went metric in 1979. There is still a large population of Canadians who were never taught the metric system and therefore still use the imperial lingo for measurements. I think that eventually metric will be the only system used. As a case in point, my 10 year-old son recently asked me "what is that in kilometers?" after I expressed a distance in miles.

As for the "aboot" - "aboat" thing, I personally don't know any Canadians, east or west, that say anything other than "about" (a-bowt).

VanKen · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 139 Location: Calgary, AB Canada

JosephP · Joined: 13 May 2003 Posts: 445

I worked with a woman from Peterburough, Ontario and it certainly was a case of "oot and aboot." Now if you want to get into vowel slaughtering I think the Kiwis are right up there. But, after living in New Zealand I have got to admit that I've grown found of the sound of Kiwi English. It no longer "seeeends me 'round the beeeend."

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I think it is like "a bout" as in boxing.

The Menace · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 54 Location: Shanghai

In 1975 the Metric conversion Act was passed by congress which established the US Metric Board.
Both Canada and US made a commitment to switch; Canada set a timetable and followed through, road signs in 1977, gasoline switched to litres (that�s liters if you are confused) in 1981.

The US moved more slowly and in 1982 Ronald Regan said �gosh, gee, golly this here is gonna cost a lot of money, just think of the millions of guns we could buy with that money. By the way, was is a million in metric anyway Dick?�
Regan disbanded the Metric board and cancelled it�s funding. Canada had already committed to the change and was a few years into the process.
We were screwed by our neighbors, but since we are nice and polite people we don�t make a big fuss about it.

Gordon
I don�t know if you know or not but that photo under your name is of Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks, which is in the Canadian Rockies and nowhere near Shikoku. It used to be on the backside of the Canadian $20, but the have now replaced it with an ugly loon.
But how is Shikoku, do you like there?

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Thanks for the info Menace. As a British Columbian, I love the mountains so it`s why I chose it. It reminds me of home.
I like Shikoku too, been here almost 2 years and love the slower pace of life Japan has to offer. I don`t think I could live in a big city especially with a family.

The Menace · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 54 Location: Shanghai

Do you know a company called Language House located in Shikoku?
If so I wouldn't mind some info. You can PM me if you do,
thanks,

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

I think I posted something about it on the Japan forum. Have never heard anything bad about them. They have a school nearby in Takamatsu where I live. They`re as good as any other place I imagine and have been operating for quite some time, which tells you something anyway.

anthyp · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 1320 Location: Chicago, IL USA

My apologies to Louis, Capergirl, and all the other Canucks out there for the terrible joke I made regarding your pronunciation of about. There's a joke in that South Park movie about it, and I thought it might be true.

The Menace · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 54 Location: Shanghai

No worries Antwerp
It�s a phenomenon called Canadian raising,( linguists correct me if I�m wrong)
We tend not to open our mouth as wide, especially with vowels. I guess we don�t want all that cold air coming in.

The Menace · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 54 Location: Shanghai

oops sorry about your name.
I guess I remembered it wrong.

Ludwig · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 4:03 am Post subject:

'The Menace', there is no need to correct you as you are spot on.

http://www.yorku.ca/twainweb/troberts/raising.html

http://babel.ling.upenn.edu/~nagy/nwav/WWWabs/Dailey.html

foster · Joined: 07 Feb 2003 Posts: 485 Location: Honkers, SARS

The other night, a rather drunk Aussie told me I said Aboot! I truly do not believe her, as her brain was riddled by alcohol.

6 more weeks til I go back to Canada!! Summer holidays can not start soon enough!!

Capergirl · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 9:33 am Post subject: