Here's an interesting tidbit about Canada
CBS aired a fish-out-of-water series called "Northern Exposure" in 1990. What was supposed to be a limited comedy-drama turned into an award-winning show lasting six seasons. The title alluded to the fictional town of Cicely, Alaska, but production took place in Redmond, Washington. It wasn't hard to mistake this idyllic community for Canada, as the Rockies stretched along the western part of North America. As a matter of fact, there would be similarities between the two (big) neighbors. Aside from snow-capped peaks, sports would be another common interest between Canada and the United States.
Cologne and Paris will co-host the IIHF World Championship this May, where the Canadian national men's ice hockey team is aiming for a hat-trick. This is Canada's national sports, but Americans aren't less passionate than their neighbor. Last year's world championships took place in Moscow, where Team Canada narrowly edged their American rivals in the semifinals. The USA would count ice hockey as their very own after the Miracle on Ice during the 1980 Winter Olympics, yet the United States men's national ice hockey team would feel outplayed. (Past results would speak for itself.) How about another trivia?
"Come from Away" opened on Broadway two weeks, about the inhabitants of a small town in Newfoundland acting as gracious hosts to seven thousand passengers after their plane was grounded in the aftermath of 9/11. The play showcased Canadian customs, also revealing the niceties of the Canadians. (Irene Sankoff and David Hein didn't attempt a subtle dig on Donald Trump.) As for the title, it would be a Canadian expression for an outsider. Americans, and probably some Canadians, may be surprised at it. American English is universal while British English is looked with reverence (and probably amusement). There's Australian English, but no one would see Canadian English coming. After all, Canadians and Americans share many interests. English would be one of those things, and there won't be any big deal to differentiate the two nations. But the play would remind everyone that Canada was a different entity.
As far as language is concerned, Canada is a mix-up. It's rather a proud sign of its multicultural origins. Oxford English Dictionary may not provide much help on this subject, but the Dictionary of Canadianisms on Historical Principles will be there for the rescue for lexicographers and curious minds. The scrappy second edition became available online, which delighted them. What would be an eye opener could be the origin of Canadian English. It seemed to be an exaggerated version of a Minnesota speech, and the editors (of the Dictionary of Canadianisms) won't be fooling anyone. The dictionary was first published in 1967, which marked the Canadian centennial. The authors made frequent referent to “eh”, an expression that was first thought to be universally informal (and American). Don't scratch your head at the mere mention of parkage, which would be a multilevel parking garage. There might be a European counterpart, but it won't sound English at all. As for Newfoundland, readers might be startled at the Irish origins of the (English) language in that part of Canada. An intriguing aspect of the history of this provincial isle, prompting an inquirer into Irish English.
Earth to James Joyce, Earth to James Joyce.
