Several readers, presumably Canadian readers, have [written in](http://johnaugust.com/archives/2005/on-accents#comments) to complain that they do not say “a boot” for “about,” and that I have my head up my ass.
So let me clarify.
“A boot” is a comedic exaggeration, the same way Europeans trying to sound American end up channeling John Wayne or De Niro.
Very few Canadians confuse their adverbs and footwear. It’s altogether possible that your “ow” sounds are created deeper in your mouths, just like Americans. But based on my experience casting two television shows with professional actors who have training in “sounding American,” there is a notable difference in words like “out,” “about,” and “house.” So much so that I’ll rewrite dialogue to avoid those words if possible.
Here’s where you need to climb off my ass.
1. Just because I say something is different, doesn’t mean I’m saying it’s wrong. There’s nothing “right” about the various American accents. But if a character is supposed to be from a specific place in the U.S., his accent should reflect that.
2. Yes, Canada is a big country. Vancouver doesn’t sound exactly like Toronto. But Vancouver doesn’t sound exactly like Seattle, either, and they’re a lot closer.
3. Just because you can’t hear your accent, doesn’t mean you don’t have one. This more than anything infuriates me.
I grew up in the American Midwest. That’s my accent. I can’t really hear it, partly because American newscasters are trained to emulate this accent. You can hear a sample of it [here](http://www.ku.edu/~idea/northamerica/usa/kansas/kansas.htm). I sound pretty much like Kansas One, except that I’m older (35) and my voice is deeper.
[Click here](http://www.ku.edu/~idea/northamerica/canada/ontario/ontario1.mp3) to listen to a speaker from Toronto. About a third of way into the recording, she says, “You have that in, what, Michigan? That’s part of what’s weird about being in Canada.”
The “about” is what I’m talking about.
For “sorry,” try [this recording](http://www.ku.edu/~idea/northamerica/canada/ontario/ontario2.mp3), also from Ontario: “Sarah was sentimental, so this made her feel sorry for the beautiful bird.” Compare the same sentence in the [Southern California](http://www.ku.edu/~idea/northamerica/usa/california/california4.mp3) recording.
Just so it’s said: I love Canada. You’ve got national health care, seasons, and gay marriage. Your film crews are friendly, and in Toronto, they feed a hot meal (a “substantial”) three hours after call. So don’t take my observations as criticisms. To a lot of the world, “not sounding American” is a compliment.