Coast of Bays, Newfoundland

A Newfoundland Language Lesson Part 3: Improperly Pluralise Everything

Here I am in Nova Scotia, and although this place is crawling with Newfies, I can’t help but realize how much my accent stands out sometimes. For example, I absolutely cannot say the word “dog” without Cailin O’Neil (and even her mother) teasing me by mimicking my pronunciation, which is “dag.”

So here’s another that often slips into my dialect: the pluralisation of prepositions, and the improper pluralisation of certain verbs.

For example, a normal person would say, “Oh, I like that shirt!”

But when I’m extremely excited, or in a rapid-fire conversation with someone, I lose all sense of proper grammar. I’ll exclaim, “Oh, I likes that shirt!” or “I loves that!”

I knows the difference.

Then there are the verbs. For example, most people would say, “I want to borrow that shirt.” But in the heat of the moment, I’ll say, “I wants to borrow that shirt.” Maybe a little rougher, more like “I wants ta borrow dat shirt.”

If you ever find yourself in Newfoundland, be sure to add inappropriate pluralisation everywhere, unless it sounds awkward. You can’t just throw it out there all willy-nilly. Remember the lesson about flow I taught you from using “b’y.”

Bonus round combination of past three lessons: “I likes them Nunny Fudgers, b’y.”

And for being such great students, I’ll share this video with you. It has nothing to do with this lesson, but it’s a brilliant car commercial that never aired because it was apparently “offensive” (or was pulled from TV, not sure). Honestly, you’re not a Newfie if you can’t appreciate this ad.

  • September 06 2010

    hahahaha sorry Candice :( My mom got it from my Newfoundland video with you! hahaha I look like a big ol’ jerk now ;) I swear Candice Does the World readers I am very lovely!!
    I’ve also seen that commercial a few times! its a classic :)

    • September 08 2010

      Hahaha, I do not mind at ALL!

  • September 06 2010

    As an Albertan I’ve met quite a few people from Newfoundland and I’ve noticed the pluralization thing as well. The commercial is great, I’m sure I’ve seen it before too… but maybe it was just on youtube. In semi related Newfoundland Language Lesson do people really say Lord Tunderin’?

    • September 08 2010

      I totally say “Lord Tunderin’!”

  • September 07 2010

    “I likes them Nunny Fudgers, b’y.” I just want to go around saying that so I can see the confused look on their faces.

    Side Note, you should put links in the post linking back to the previous lessons, some of us more lazy individuals who use RSS don’t always remember when and were that b’y lesson lays. @(^_^)@

    • September 08 2010

      Ah, good call! I had thought about it actually, and it slipped my mind. Oops.

  • September 07 2010

    Hahahahahaha

    It must be hilarious hearing you talk. In ny some people have started that same trend, mainly me and well, that and my stropng spanish accent doesnt exactly spell romanticism to the way i speaks.
    : )

    • September 08 2010

      Hahaha, it’s impossible to have a non-romantic Spanish accent!

  • September 07 2010

    I loves the plurilisation. Probably the first thing I started picking up when I got here. :D
    (and people have made fun of the way I talk pretty much all my life. seriously. maybe why i felt so at home here so quick? ;D )

    • September 08 2010

      Ha, most likely! I don’t think I’ve noticed you saying it yet…

      • September 10 2010

        i don’t think most people here notice when i say things, because it sounds normal to you ;P but the BC crew noticed. And my dad noticed a change :S

  • September 08 2010
    Bruce

    Love the blog, hate the way you use the word ‘Newfie’.

    • September 08 2010

      Yeah, sorry Bruce, my general rule is that you can use it as long as it’s not in derogatory context and you’re a born and raised Newfoundlander. That one will be my next language lesson for sure.

  • September 08 2010

    I loves these lessons, Candice! It’s cool that you can stands back from your “native language” far enough to’s hears what sounds different to’s others and share it with us. (how did I do?)

    • September 08 2010

      Hahaha, you’re on the right track! I was trying to find some example videos, but can’t seem to locate any. :(

  • September 08 2010

    I like this! The incorrect grammar sounds like it would be cute/funny in conversation. Even as an English teacher, I think it could be okay.

    • September 08 2010

      I would have been so happy if you had said “I likes this!” :)

  • September 16 2010

    I love these language lessons Candice, they both entertain and make me feel like if I ever make it that way I wont feel totally out of place!

    • September 17 2010

      Hehe Shannon, if you ever do make it to NL, I’ll get you a hands-on lesson. ;)

  • February 13 2012
    Steven Richardson

    I loves this post! Between reading, seeing the pictures, and talking to you & Cailin on Twitter, it’s made me realize that I need to visit Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Another friend of mine wants me to go to George St Festival with her this year, but I’ll still be in Europe, unfortunately.

    • February 15 2012

      WHOA, GSF is WAY better than Europe! Pfffft!

      • February 15 2012
        Steven Richardson

        I agree. The only thing going on at the time is some bike race through France, coming into Paris while I’m there. Hell, I can ride a bike. You can ride a bike. What’s the big deal! hahaha

        GSF is on the list of things to do though

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