research on canadian idiosyncracy

[lost in cursilandia]

Hey there!
I'm from Argentina and I'm getting my degree in English Translation.
Right now we're dealing with varieties of the English language, and I've been asked to write a paper on Canadians' idiosyncrasy.
Could you give me a hand? I'd like to know how locals really feel and think of themselves...
Thanks!

 

[cortex]

do you mean idiomatic expressions....

 

[lost in cursilandia]

hey cortex!
No, I mean characteristics: social, cultural, historical...
anything to help me get an idea of what canada and its people are like.

 

[lost in cursilandia]

mmm come to think about it... idiomatic expressions might be useful too!
thanks!

 

[cortex]

donde vives en Argentina

Te gusta las peliculas...
a man facing south east
darkness of the heart
the road
a shadow you soon will be
nine queens
the official story
last images of the shipwreck

son muy buenes peliculas de su pais

 

[lost in cursilandia]

Nací en Santa Fé (that's right in the middle of the country), mi familia vive en Mar del Plata (a seaside town)
y yo vivo en Buenos Aires (Capital).
I've seen some of those movies, you're right, there's been a huge increase in film-making and its promotion, and the results are quite good.
One of my favourites is 'El Aura', also starred by Ricardo Darín, Nine Queens' protagonist. Perhaps you've heard about it, it's last year's. I have no idea what the official translation of the title is tho.
Recently, I watched 'Les invasions barbares' , I think is co-produced by Canada and France. It was interesting but I didn't like the music at all, it practically ruined the movie for me. Anyway, I could make myself a mental picture of Canadians' opinions on different topics.
I don't know much about Canadian cultural and artistic works. I've started reading Margaret Atwood right now.
Could you recommend movies or book authors?

 

[missile]

There are 2 movies that are distinctly Canadian; Men With Brooms [starring Paul Gross] and Strange Brew[Rick Moranis]. I wouldn't read M.Atwood on a dare! Try some of Pierre Berton's books instead

 

[cortex]

In terms of books you might try one that summarizes Canadian opinions on a variety of topics rather than trying to read 100s of novels in order to form an impression:

Try

What Canadians think--by Darrell Bricker and J. Wright
isbn---0770430082

Movies --in addition to Missiles suggestions try

-- The sweet Hearafter-- by Atom Egoyan
-- Jesus of Montreal
-- Un Zoo la Nuit
-- the decline of the American Empire
-- C.R.A.S.Y.

-- and one of my personal favorites---just so that you realize there can be a bizarre dimension to Canadian creativity--

Videodrome--by David Cronenberg

There is a good comedy that pokes fun at the differences between Canadians and Americans
called

Canadian bacon----By Micheal Moore

Thats all i can think of right now

 

[missile]

Both of Red Green's books will give insight into our twisted minds

 

[Nuggler]

Hi Lost:

Google "wikipedia.org", from there, search for Canadian Authors and Poets, painters, you name it.....Should help.

C'mon Missle, give Maggie Atwood a break eh : Handmaid's Tale was not a bad book, nor movie. :lol:

Check out Monday report with Rick Mercer.

For some real down home idiosyncratic do do, take a trip to your local beer parlour about 10:30 on a Fri. or Sat. night. Not your classy bar, yer down and dirty local burper. Be nice. Smile a lot and buy a beer for someone....Good luck.

 

[lost in cursilandia]

Thanks a lot!
I hope i can find at least some of the sources you've recommended... it's quite difficult these days down here...
Anyway, thank you very much, I'll tell you how it goes


ps: I MUST read Atwood's Cat's Eye tho. It's compulsory reading...

 

[Kreskin]

Re: RE: research on canadian idiosyncracy

hey cortex!
No, I mean characteristics: social, cultural, historical...
anything to help me get an idea of what canada and its people are like.

Can you put music to your paper?

 

[lost in cursilandia]

no, no music...
still, i'd love to hear canadian music!

 

[Kreskin]

Re: RE: research on canadian idiosyncracy

no, no music...
still, i'd love to hear canadian music!

The above link has the most recognized song in Canada after the National anthem.

 

[Mogz]

In my opinion the best book to garner information as to Canada, and where it's come from, is Marching As To War: Canada's Turbulent Years 1899 to 1953 by Pierre Berton. It chronicles the birth of present-day Canada and how it evolved (through War, Political Strife, and relations with Britian and the U.S.) in to the Nation it is today.

The Synopsis:

Once again, Pierre Berton brings history to life in what he calls "the most remarkable period in Canada's past." — the first half of the twentieth century, when young men marched off to war not once but four times, from the Boer war in South Africa to the Great War in Europe, the Second World War, and finally, the Korean War.
Overflowing with inspiring and controversial characters, Marching As to War describes how the experience of war helped to bind Canada together as a nation while at the same time revealing the deep schisms in Canadian culture. By including the periods between the wars, Berton shows how one war led to the next. Marching As to War also chronicles the change in Canada's dependence upon Great Britain and traces the slow emergence of an independent nation caught in a love-hate relationship with the United States.

 

[lost in cursilandia]

I'd like to know which things make canadians feel proud of being canadians.
could you help me with that?

 

[Gonzo]

Also, Canadian Bacon is a good movie.
Will Ferguson's books "How to be a Canadian" and "Why I hate Canadians" are great. They are funny but also very true, whether we want to admit it or not.
What is distinctly Canadian is Eh. We want everyone to agree with us. "The weather is nice." becomes "The weather is nice, eh?" This same phrase could also be taken as "The weather is nice, don't you agree?".

 

[china]

lost in cursilandia ; I'd like to know which things make canadians feel proud of being canadians.
could you help me with that? ----------------------------------

"WE" haven't advaned that far yet

 

[Lieutenant Governor]

Canadians hate the cold but would never admit it were too cold for them.

balmy: 10 - 0 degrees
cool: 0 - -10
chilly: -10 - -15
nipply: -15 - -20
cold: -20 - -25
freezing: -25 - -50:
too cold to go to the mall: theoretical temperature, it's never too cold to go to the mall

Canadians work at Wal-mart. Drive home in their Toyota, sit down on their Ikea furniture and crack open a Hieniken. Then they put their feet up and watch American programming on their Sony tv. And some how at the end of the day still feel proud to be Canadian.

I got that from the book How to be a Canadian: even if you already are one. It's a funny look at the Canadian mentality.

 

[Liliput]

There are 2 movies that are distinctly Canadian; Men With Brooms [starring Paul Gross] and Strange Brew[Rick Moranis]. I wouldn't read M.Atwood on a dare! Try some of Pierre Berton's books instead

I LOVE "Men with Brooms" and agree its a better reflection of modern canadian life.
Margaret Atwood is not bad, but I would not say she depicts what life is like in canada. If you can ever see it the TV show 'Corner Gas' is a pretty good display of our sense of humour... at least in terms of a generic profile. Previous seasons are on dvd.

Try www.cbc.ca that is our public TV station's website, it also has some radio feeds and podcasts. Lots of news, culture etc there.

Everyone talks about the weather here, its a universal truth for canada. Every province as a whole feels their voice goes unheard by the federal government, no matter which political party is in power.