Has anyone noticed that Blacks in Canada ... (fit in, high school)

[Neutre]

generally don't have a "Black" accent?

I think most US Americans know what accent is meant. I'm not talking about Carribean or African accents, but rather a US Black accent, which I'm aware is not uniform, but does share certain recognizable characteristics.

Regards

[west_end_don]

Why would Black Canadians have an American-anything accent?
You wouldn't ask the same question about White Canadians would you?
Many Black Canadians, especially those born and raised here, would presumably have "Canadian accents". Just like Black Britons have British accents. America is does not set the universal standard for English dialect.

You are correct in assuming you'll find many different accents within the Black Canadian community due to the relative recent arrival of most people.
However, with many Canadian born Blacks in Toronto, you will often hear a strong West Indian influence. Much like many Black Brits speak with English accents influenced largely with West Indian phrases and patterns.

[Cart24]

In addition you also have African Canadians in Nova Scotia that have a distinct accent of their own. People of African decent in many areas of Nova Scotia are decedents of Southern African Americans and do have somewhat of a drawl to their accent similar to people in the Upper Southeastern states (not completely the same, but you can hear the influence).

There is just one accent that I cannot stand though and it is the Toronto-Black-Caribbean mixed accent, you know the "Yo Guy, differently stylll" accent. You can tell that these kids are trying really hard to speak with a West Indian accent, but just cannot pull it off. Being Jamaican myself I find it very annoying

[sunpack]

Originally Posted by Neutre

generally don't have a "Black" accent?

I think most US Americans know what accent is meant. I'm not talking about Carribean or African accents, but rather a US Black accent, which I'm aware is not uniform, but does share certain recognizable characteristics.

Regards

Neutre, what is it you are looking to find out? Blacks that are French, Dutch, Italian, etc., all having an accent that are distinctive to the country that they are in. American Blacks, have a much different history than most Canadian Blacks (or other Blacks) so although we (Canadians) share borders we have a different history.

Tell me, what is the "recognizable characteristics" you are are referring to?

[west_end_don]

Originally Posted by mattncind

In addition you also have African Canadians in Nova Scotia that have a distinct accent of their own. People of African decent in many areas of Nova Scotia are decedents of Southern African Americans and do have somewhat of a drawl to their accent similar to people in the Upper Southeastern states (not completely the same, but you can hear the influence).

There is just one accent that I cannot stand though and it is the Toronto-Black-Caribbean mixed accent, you know the "Yo Guy, differently stylll" accent. You can tell that these kids are trying really hard to speak with a West Indian accent, but just cannot pull it off. Being Jamaican myself I find it very annoying

Yo guy! Guy this!, Guy that! Guy at the begining and end of every sentence! Haha! You couldn't escape guy back in the '90s.
You know what they say about guy? guy live on ship &...!
Nowadays the real talks is all bredren. I guess everywhere has it's own slang... kids nowadays!!

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by Neutre

generally don't have a "Black" accent?

I think most US Americans know what accent is meant. I'm not talking about Carribean or African accents, but rather a US Black accent, which I'm aware is not uniform, but does share certain recognizable characteristics.

Regards

I notice it. I have a friend from Canada who is black. Her accent sounds nothing like most of the blacks I have met in the USA. Her accent sounds very Canadian. Actually, my high school French teacher was from Canada and she told me I sounded just like the black people who lived in Canada, considering the fact that I was born in the USA.

[west_end_don]

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

I notice it. I have a friend from Canada who is black. Her accent sounds nothing like most of the blacks I have met in the USA. Her accent sounds very Canadian. Actually, my high school French teacher was from Canada and she told me I sounded just like the black people who lived in Canada, considering the fact that I was born in the USA.

If your from Georgia, her accent would be different!
I can have a real hard time with some of those southern accents - both "black" & "white" variety - I think I might even comprehend French better than some Southern Yank dialects! Everything is sooooooo drawn out.

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by west_end_don

If your from Georgia, her accent would be different!
I can have a real hard time with some of those southern accents - both "black" & "white" variety - I think I might even comprehend French better than some Southern Yank dialects! Everything is sooooooo drawn out.

People from Georgia often tell me I sound like I am from the Northern USA. Some people from the North tell me the same thing. I have lived in Georgia for a long time, but I have not picked up the accent. Some people say I sound like I am from the Northern USA. A Canadian even commented about how I sound Canadian to an extent.

[LuckyGem]

Originally Posted by Neutre

generally don't have a "Black" accent?

I think most US Americans know what accent is meant. I'm not talking about Carribean or African accents, but rather a US Black accent, which I'm aware is not uniform, but does share certain recognizable characteristics.

Regards

http://privatewww.essex.ac.uk/~patrickp/AAVE.html

CAL: Topics: Dialects: African American English

It's AMERICAN culture, I'm sure you can understand that right? Which is why Canadian Blacks don't have the same "accent".

[e.ortega]

Originally Posted by Neutre

generally don't have a "Black" accent?

I think most US Americans know what accent is meant. I'm not talking about Carribean or African accents, but rather a US Black accent, which I'm aware is not uniform, but does share certain recognizable characteristics.

Regards

A "black accent" huh........Wow that sounds really bad "Not uniform"? says WHO? Society??????

Why are people always trying to judge you by how you DRESS, SPEAK, LIVE YOUR LIFE, HANG OUT WITH?

Even if they have a 'BLACK ACCENT" what does that mean? They are GHETTO and don't fit in or belong?