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Phonology
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Phonetics and PhonologyProbably the the most salient aspect of Canadian English is its phonological system. Previous research on Canadian phonology identifies three variables as defining characteristics: the centralized diphthongs 
and 
, the voiceless initial glide in which and whether, and the palatal glide in news [nyuz] and tune [tyun]. Since the use of the latter two is falling off in Canadian English, some scholars conclude that there is little to say anymore about Canadian English as a distinct variety. Woods (1993) includes these phonological traits in his list of eight characteristically Canadian features. What is interesting (and misleading) about the study is that most features are considered Canadianisms only because they are Britishisms; hence, the loss of a Britishism is also the loss of a Canadianism.
Though Woods' list was probably not intended to be an exhaustive inventory of Canadianisms, it gives the impression that Canadian and American phonological systems are converging, because (as should be no surprise) Canadian and British English have been diverging for centuries. However, a feature need not have a British origin to be considered a Canadianism; this is certainly true, for example, of the 
/
merger discussed below. We contend that a dialect's characteristic features are those in current use, not those of its predecessors.
Indeed, the Language Samples Project has identified a number of other markers of Canadian English that are missing from Woods' list. Some of these are the subject of the published research of other Canadian dialectologists, and some of them emerge from our own research. This section first offers a description of the phonetic characteristics of Canadian vowels, followed by a discussion of numerous phonological patterns.
Since Canadian English is a North American variety, and it shares much phonology and history with American English, often the best way to illustrate a particular Canadian trait is by comparing it with the American dialects in close geographical proximity with it. As a result, you may notice a recurring method of Canadian-American contrasts throughout this discussion. This is not meant to imply that Canadian English should be characterized simply as a non-American North American dialect. Instead, we hope to show Canadian English to be a homogeneous dialect with its own unique collection of properties.
Contents for Canadian Phonetics and Phonology
in merry and marry
© 2001 The Language Samples Project