News: Canadian English

Canadian English

Canadian English (CanE, en-CA) is the variety of English used in Canada. Approximately 17 million (58%) speak English as their native language and more than 26 million Canadians (85% of the population) have some knowledge of it (2006 census). Outside Quebec, 76% of Canadians speak English natively and in Quebec - 8%. Canadian English contains elements of British English in its vocabulary, as well as several distinctive Canadianisms. In many areas, speech is influenced by French, and there are notable local variations. However, Canada has very little dialect diversity compared to the United States. The phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and lexicon for most of Canada are similar to that of the Western and Midland regions of the United States, while the phonological system of western Canadian English is virtually identical to that of the Pacific Northwest of the United States, and the phonetics are similar. As such, Canadian English and American English are sometimes classified together as North American English. Canadian English spelling is largely a blend of British and American conventions.