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Personally I think the two accents sound pretty different. Canadian is certainly the closest foreign accent to sounding American (next IMO would be the accent of Northern Ireland) and on first listen, it might sound American but I think it has a lot of different features. For one thing, they tend to not draw out vowel sounds, they say quite a few words differently and of course they pronounce the vowel in 'about' and 'house' differently.
I'm from the midwest and I have trouble telling a Canadian accent, unless they say out or about. I'm often asked in the UK if I'm Canadian. However, many here have learned to ask that because when Canadians are asked if they are American they get insulted and angry. Not so the other way around.
I can't tell the difference I have a hard time distinguishing American accents too, they all sound pretty much the same to me except for very strong Southern accents. I'm not a native speaker, perhaps that explains it. It's easier to recognise subtle differences when you're immersed in the language.
I think there is a strong difference and can discern them quickly. I suppose that is because I live in SE Michigan where we frequently hear Canadians not only in person, but also Canadian TV and radio stations.
I can't tell the difference I have a hard time distinguishing American accents too, they all sound pretty much the same to me except for very strong Southern accents. I'm not a native speaker, perhaps that explains it. It's easier to recognise subtle differences when you're immersed in the language.
If you're used to them then yes, they are very different. It's like any accents. People in the US often ask me if I'm Australian (I'm British) because they are not used to hearing the accents regularly. I couldn't tell the difference between New Zealand and Australia until I spent 6 months in New Zealand and could understand the differences.
I hear this a lot (Americans not being able to differentiate Australian from British accents) and I don't get it. Those must be some very sheltered, provincial people. Australian accents are extraordinarily distinct in my opinion. Maybe some Americans get hung up on non-Rhoticism. I met a Californian who thought I was British at first because, years ago, I had a non-Rhotic New York accent. Maybe that is the cause of the error.
Admittedly, I can't tell the difference between New Zealanders and Aussies until I'm told.
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I have a hard time distinguishing American accents too, they all sound pretty much the same to me except for very strong Southern accents. I'm not a native speaker, perhaps that explains it. It's easier to recognise subtle differences when you're immersed in the language.
