Well, we both speak English, but we definitely do not always speak the same language. This is a running list that I have compiled over the course of the 1 year and 25 days that I have been living and interacting within English culture:
Canadian English vs English English
Canadian: Hi
English: Hiya
Canadian: Thanks
English: ta
Canadian: Trunk of the car
English: The boot.
Canadian: Hood of the car
English: Bonnet
Canadian: How are you today?
English: You alright? (Pronounced: ya'aight?)
- How are you? Is meant to be a casual courtesy. The courteous response is "Fine Thanks." Ya'alright? is the English version of this, and it confused the hell out of me for months.... In Canada you only ask someone if they're "alright" if you are concerned about them. Like the you've-found-them-crying kind of concerned. Not a casual greeting. Weird.
Canadian: Diaper
English: Nappy
-Disgusting in both languages
Canadian: Soother/Pacifier
English: Dummy
Canadian: Baby stroller
English: Push-chair/Buggee
Canadian: Slut
English: Slag
Canadian: Disgusting
English: Mingin'
Canadian: Breakfast, Lunch/Dinner and Supper
English: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner/Tea
-You can't call it supper, they do NOT know what you're talking about. And tea-time does not mean you will necessarily drink tea. It means mealtime.
Canadian: Elevator
English: Lift
Canadian: Rubberboots
English: Wellies
Canadian: Tylenol/Advil
English: Paracetamol/Nurofen
-Ibuprofen is cross-cultural.
Canadian: Underwear/Panties
English: Pants
Canadian: Pants
English: Trousers
Canadian: Hoody/Sweater
English: Jumper
Canadian: Soccer
English: Football/Footy
Canadian: Football
English: American Football
And I'm sure the list goes on....
To conclude: I don't think I've developed an English accent, but I've certainly adjusted my use of the English vocabulary.
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