Whats the difference between Canadian and American English?

Question

i mean, i know THERE'S a difference...but i wanna know WHERE'S that difference

Answer 1

1. Written Canadian English uses British spellings like "honour."  

2. Spoken Canadian English reflects the Province where the speaker comes from:  ranging from a French accent (Quebec) to a drawl (Alberta/Manitoba). Canadians who have an Inuit or First Canadian background tend to flatten their words. The infamous  "hey?" interjection seems to be disappearing, but middle-aged Canadians in Ottawa have been heard to still use it.

3. Canadian business correspondence tends to be more formal than American business correspondence, with a greater reliance on titles.

4. Canadian legal-speak in courtrooms is more British reflecting its different legal origins (British common law ...and French Civil Code -- used in Quebec. )

5. Canadian speakers tend to bite off their words. The late Peter Jennings, ABC anchorman, chomped down on certain words.

6. English pronunciation over American pronounciation is apparent in words like schedule.  (American: "skedyule"...Canadian/British "shedyool." Dan Aykroyd, in his first "Saturday Night Live" appearances used "shedyool".)

Military words: lieutenant (American "lootenant"; Canadian/British "leftenant")