MovieChat Forums > Brendan Fraser Discussion > Canadian English

Canadian English

posted 7 years ago by movie_geek87
5 replies | jump to latest

Brendan Fraser was born in Indiana, raised in Europe, Canada, and ended up in Seattle while also going to school in Toronto at the time. In interviews, he often insists to be "American" rather than considered Canadian, which he has citizenship of, as well. But have you ever noticed that he is more prone to speak Canadian English than American English? There are plenty of words he pronounces like Canadians do.

It first dawned on me when I watched the bar scene in Extraordinary Measures. Harrison Ford is known to speak Standard American English, but they pronounce the word "research" differently.

In Standard American, Harrison says "Ree-search" and puts the emphasis on the first syllable, whereas Brendan says "R'Search" putting the empahsis on the last one 'search' like Canadians do.

In earlier interviews he pronounces 'absolute' "up-solute" and not 'app-solute' like an American would. And so on...

It's very interesting to listen to. Obviously, he is more Canadian than he wants to admit. Not sure why he wants to deny it. Both beautiful countries.

[–] TheChamCham 7 years ago

Brendan is equally proud of his French-Canadian heritage as he is of his American-born status. He has never denied that. He does have dual citizenship.
They are indeed BOTH beautiful countries.🇺🇸🇨🇦

Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.- William Shakespeare

[–] movie_geek87 7 years ago

I was referring to the interview in which he was asked whether he was Canadian and he responded in a less amazed way "Yes, the lower part of my body."

[–] TheChamCham 7 years ago

It was a joke ! His sense of humor is Canadian too.

Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.- William Shakespeare

[–] AussieGirl02 7 years ago

What is your definition of Standard American English? There are many dialects in the United States.

Harrison Ford was born and raised in Illinois specifically Chicago and Brendan grew up in Canada and nearby Seattle. There would obviously be a difference in how they speak.

[–] movie_geek87 7 years ago

Listen to Harrsion Ford. Standard American English is American English without regional influence. The way it would also be taught in American dialect classes or books.

E.g. if you would learn German, you would be taught to speak "High German", which is the language in its cleanest state.

I know about different dialects around the States, however, there are pronounciations that are typically American and typically Canadian whereas Canadian is more leaning towards the British pronounciation rules.

For instance "authorization / authorisation" in the US you say "Author-eh-zation" whereas in Canada you say it similar to the British "Author-i-sation". -- If you watch Clear And Present Danger for instance, you have Harrison Ford (American) and Henry Czerny (Canadian) - both speak the cleanest and most standard American and Canadian I can think of actor-wise right now. It's nice to listen to when they both appear in scenes together.

I'm studying Standard American right now and stumbled over it while watching some of Brendan's movies. It's very interesting. I live in Canada but am originally from Europe, so I am developing an ear for the North American dialects.