AEE 281: 3 Easy Ways to Connect with a Local Canadian in English

Will you be visiting Ottawa someday? Today, meet Kathleen from
Canada, and get 3 phrases to connect with locals in the
capital city, Ottawa!   Canada is a multicultural and diverse
country, and Ottawa is a micro version of that. It’s a
city of one million inhabitants and numerous languages. It is
also a city in touch with nature. With four distinct seasons,
Ottawa has something for everyone. Though Canada and the United
States have some similarities, they also have many
differences. Among these are some
subtle differences in using the English language.
This includes pronunciation and some commonly used phrases.  
Here are Kathleen’s top Canadian phrases to help you blend in when
you’re in Ottawa! I’m sorry: Canadians are known for being
very polite. In fact, the culture can be so polite it becomes
apologetic. Sometimes Canadians will begin a sentence, “I’m
sorry,” even if they did nothing wrong and aren’t apologizing for
anything. Out and About: This means to go exploring or to check
something out. A Canadian might say “Let’s go out and about,” or “I
was out and about.” Eh?: Often, this word is used the way an
American might use the words “right?” or “huh?” It shows
agreement or clarification with other people. You might hear
someone say, “That was a great show, eh?”   Are you going to
Ottawa, or Canada? Have you ever been there? Share your thoughts in
the comments section below!   Kathleen is a native
English speaker from Ottawa, Canada. She has been
teaching and tutoring students in English and beginner
French for over three years in Asia, Latin America and
Canada. She also speaks French and Spanish, and
so understands the challenges and joys of learning a new
language. In her experience, conversation is the best way to
improve language skills. Kathleen has worked and continues to work
in the areas of community development, and is currently
completing her Bachelor of Education. This summer
she will be teaching in Ulaanbataar,
Mongolia. She loves meeting people from different
cultures and learning new languages. Learn more about your ad
choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices