Toronto slang

Last updated

Multicultural Toronto English
Toronto slang/Toronto accent
Native to Canada
Region Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area
EthnicityVarious (see Ethnic groups in Toronto)
Early forms
Latin (English alphabet)
Sources Jamaican Patois, Arabic, English and Somali
Language codes
ISO 639-3

Multicultural Toronto English (MTE) is a multi-ethnic dialect of Canadian English used in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), particularly among young non-white working-class speakers. [1] [2] [3] First studied in linguistics research of the late 2010s and early 2020s, [4] [5] [6] the dialect is popularly recognized by its phonology and lexicon, commonly known as the Toronto accent and Toronto slang, respectively. It is a byproduct of the city's multiculturalism, generally associated with Millennial and Gen Z populations in ethnically diverse districts of Toronto. [7] It is also spoken outside of the GTA, in cities such as Hamilton, Barrie, and Ottawa. [8] [9]

Contents

History

External videos
YouTube Logo 2017.svg
1980s use of MTE
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Home Feeling Struggle For A Community
External videos
YouTube Logo 2017.svg
1990s use of MTE
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Cold Front Record Release Party - Much Music Rap City
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Maestro Fresh Wes interview
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Make Some Noise (1994)
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Ghetto Concept Interview
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Pelham Park Bloods 1
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Pelham Park Bloods 2
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Regent Park Focus on CBC

The origin of Toronto's slang and accent can be traced back to widespread migration from the Caribbean, East Africa, and the Middle East to Canada from the 1960s to the 1990s. During this period, a significant influx of immigrants from countries such as Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, and Ethiopia predominantly settled in Toronto and other parts of the Greater Toronto Area. [10] [11] [12] With many of these immigrants fleeing war, conflict, and poor economic conditions, they were left with limited financial resources and, as a result, found homes in Toronto's lower-income communities. [13] [14] [15] These neighbourhoods rapidly transformed into vibrant melting pots, filled with a diverse array of cultures and ethnic backgrounds. [16] [17] This cultural amalgamation played a crucial role in developing MTE, which is rooted in Toronto's multiculturalism and draws heavy influence from Caribbean, East African, and Middle Eastern languages. [18] Towards the end of the 90s, native Toronto rapper Kardinal Offishall released his Billboard-charting single "BaKardi Slang" showcasing a variety of the cities slang throughout the lyrics and signaling the dialect was already significantly developed by this time. [4]

External videos
YouTube Logo 2017.svg
2000s use of MTE
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Eglinton West 2008 Documentary
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Firewar
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg How Can I Be Down
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Beenie Man at Jane and Finch
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Inside Access: Sticky Green
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Lost in the Struggle - CBC Docuseries
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg POINT BLANK - Behind the Scenes
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Point Blank in Regent Park - CityTV Docuseries
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg YBK TV - NORTHSIDE JANE & FINCH
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg EMPz 4 Life 2006 Documentary
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Toronto Murder Epidemic Documentary

The second-generation descendants of these immigrants significantly contributed to embedding Toronto's distinctive slang and accent into the city's culture. [19] Faced with limited economic opportunities within their communities, these children of the initial immigrant influx turned to creative outlets like rap music, fashion, and athletics for both expression and livelihood. [20] Their influence as in these areas helped shape the city's popular culture, especially among the youth in the Greater Toronto Area. [21] Consequently, their unique manner of speaking, shaped by the aforementioned multiculturalism of their communities, gained widespread adoption throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, given their status as local tastemakers. [22] 2006 marked the first mention of Toronto's slang or accent in any formal or academic research. [23] The rise of blogging in during this time period played a pivotal role in documenting the use and development of MTE. One notable example is Jane-Finch.com, a community-driven archive dedicated to the Jane and Finch area that captured key examples of MTE's use throughout the decade. [24] Furthermore, documentaries produced by local broadcasters such as CityTV and CBC served to spotlight the dialect's presence in the city. [25] [26] This linguistic evolution during this period not only reflected Toronto's multicultural heritage but also served as a unifying cultural element for the city.

External videos
YouTube Logo 2017.svg
2010s use of MTE
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Sh*t Toronto People Say
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg 6IX RISING Documentary
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Toronto Dictionary Pt 1
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Toronto Dictionary Pt 2
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg T-Dot Goon Scrap 2
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg Noisey Meets Smoke Dawg
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg BizzLoc Interview
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg K Money Interview
Nuvola apps kaboodle.svg WhyG Interview

The late 2000s and much of the 2010s marked a pivotal era of growth for MTE, significantly driven by the third-generation descendants of the original immigration wave. The brewing Toronto music scene, deeply rooted in the artistic expressions of Toronto's lower-income and culturally diverse working-class communities, began receiving nationwide attention. [27] [28] The emergence of YouTube and streaming services revolutionized the music industry by dramatically reducing the barriers to music distribution, thus enabling local artists to reach vast audiences beyond the traditional mediums of CDs and mixtapes. [29] Neighbourhoods such as Regent Park, Jane and Finch, Lawrence Heights, Chester Le, Alexandra Park, and Rexdale became hotbeds of cultural growth, producing Rap and R&B artists like Smoke Dawg, Robin Banks, Top5, Pengz, K Money, and Moula1st, to name a few. [30] [31] [32] [33] These artists had significant influence among the youth of the Greater Toronto Area; the use of MTE in their lyrics, a reflection of the dialect spoken within their communities, spread contagiously as they began to amass millions of views and followers in the hundreds of thousands. [34] [35] [36] Consequently, the dialect once confined to their lower-income communities began breaking ethnic and socioeconomic barriers, making its way into suburbs and highschools, transforming Toronto's linguistic landscape. [37] [38] The impact of this cultural and linguistic shift was further magnified by the advent of social media. Platforms such as 6ixBuzz and Waveroom put a spotlight on the culture brewing in these communities through short-form, easily digestible content, attracting millions of followers. This significantly contributed to the widespread adoption and normalization of MTE seen today. [39] [40]

Phonology

As in Standard Canadian English, this dialect features rhoticity, the Low Back Merger Shift, and GOOSE fronting (led by women speakers). Canadian raising also still exists, however, possibly less so than among Standard Canadian speakers.

The distinct accent features of Multicultural Toronto English include the TRAP vowel before a nasal consonant being unraised or only slightly raised and the GOAT vowel being monophthongal, both of which are "distinctly non-normative" in 21st-century Standard Canadian English and led by men in the Toronto area. [41] Th-stopping is a variable feature, likely adopted from Patois, for instance with words like youth, thing, and them colloquially spelled as yute, ting, and dem. [42]

Vocabulary

Here is a list of common vocabulary in Multicultural Toronto English:

Adjectives

  • "A guy" (used to describe someone who is particularly dangerous or successful, similar to calling someone a "big shot"; not to be confused with "the guy" as both are distinct in their usage)
  • "Amped/Gassed" (to be energetic or excited about something)
  • "Babyfood" (used to describe something as easy)
  • "Bare" (very/a lot/many) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [43] [44]
  • "Beat" (something that looks ugly, can be used to describe an object or person) [45]
  • "Beg" (someone who is needy, can also describe something as pitiful)
  • "Bent" (describes an individual who is upset)
  • "Blem" (describes an individual who is high or intoxicated) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [46]
  • "Cheesed" (pissed, mad, angry) [47]
  • "Certi" (something or someone that is important or of high quality; short for "certified")
  • "Dess" (short for desperate, can also describe something as pitiful)
  • "Deezed" (describes an individual as muscular and strong)
  • "Dutty" (dirty, bad, ugly) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [48]
  • "Dry" (uncool, lame, boring, uninteresting) [49]
  • "Fried" (describes an individual who is high or intoxicated)
  • "Greezy" (something impressive or attractive in a fashionable use) [50] [51]
  • "Likkle" (small, little) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [48]
  • "Live" (used to describe something as lively or exciting, usually an approval or endorsement of an events atmosphere)
  • "Marved" (hungry, starving) [43]
  • "Merked" (ugly, unattractive) [52]
  • "Miskeen" (pathetic, or poor - frequently used referring to someone who is "civilian" and "innocent," not involved in any crime) [originates from Arabic]
  • "Mod" (crazy) [53]
  • "Moshup" (something that is ruined, messed up or botched, commonly used to indicate a situation has gone away) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
  • "Neatly" (used to emphasize the quality or manner in which an action will be carried out)
  • "Next" (describes something other than what is currently discussed, often emphasizing a disregard or need for an alternative)
  • "Namebrand" (something that is important or of high quality, usually used to describe an individual)
  • "Peng" (describes a person who is attractive) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [54]
  • "Proper" (describes something as legitimate or done right)
  • "Quick times" (for something to be done quickly)
  • "Soft" (describes something that is permissible and does not require worry) [55]
  • "Sick" (used to describe someone who is particularly dangerous or gangster)
  • "Sweeterman/Sweeter-ting” (an attractive person) [55] [43]
  • "Vexxed" (annoyed, upset or irritated) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
  • "Wossy" (something crazy or unusual, usually describing the actions of a person) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
  • "Waste" (describes something as undesirable or dissatisfying) [originates from Jamaican Patois]

Interjections

  • "Abaay, Abaay" (an expression of surprise, similar to "oh my god") [originates from Somali]
  • "Ahlie" (expression to agree with something or "am I lying?") [originates from Jamaican Patois] [56]
  • "Are you dumb?" (to describe someone who behaves stupidly and completely idiotically) [56]
  • "Bless up!" (expression of greeting or farewell) [57] [originates from Jamaican Patois]
  • "Dun Know/dunno" (replaces "you already know," "of course," or "I know", and also used as a farewell) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [58]
  • "Eediat ting" (can refer to an event or action that was stupid or embarrassing to the point of disbelief) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
  • "Fend that" (instructing someone to defend themselves, or respond to confrontation)
  • "Fiyah/Fire" (used to refer to a homosexual individual, similar to the equivalent word "Bawtymon" or "Batty boy") [originates from Jamaican Patois]
  • "Haye, haye" (an adlib that directly translates to "okay, okay" or "alright, alright") [originates from Somali]
  • "Holy!" (pronounced 'holay' and used as an expression of surprise) [59]
  • "Say honest?" (used to rhetorically emphasize honesty, truth or sincerity, similar to "You serious?" or "Really?")
  • "Soobax" (directly translates to "come outside" or "lets go") [originates from Somali]
  • "Swrong" (short for "what's wrong", typically used in phrases like "swrong with him?")
  • "Gwan easy" (telling someone to "take it easy", or "calm down") [originates from Jamaican Patois]
  • "Inshallah" ("If God wills it") [originates from Arabic]
  • "Jheez" (used to express surprise, excitement or support)
  • "Jokes!" ("that's jokes!", compliments something funny or hilarious) [60]
  • "Khallas" (signifies that something is finished, completed or done) [originates from Arabic]
  • "Mashallah" (used to congratulate someone) [originates from Arabic]
  • "Nyeah eh" ("yeah eh?" or "oh really?", used in a hostile tone)
  • "More life" (used to wish someone good will, most commonly used to replace "happy birthday") [originates from Jamaican Patois]
  • "Nize it/nize that" (to tell someone to shut up or stop talking) [58]
  • "Say less/say no more/don't say a word" (used to enthusiastically or supportively agree to a demand, request, or suggestion)
  • "Seen/Zeen" (A way of saying “got it” or “understood”) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [61]
  • "Styll" (pronounced "still" and means agree to someone or the truth and is occasionally used at the last part of a statement) [62] [63] [originates from Jamaican Patois]
  • "Top left" (used to emphasize the truth or sincerity of a statement, similar to "I swear" or "I promise")
  • "Wagwan" (an equivalent greeting to "what's up" or "what's going on?") [originates from Jamaican Patois] [64] [56]
  • "Wallahi" ("I swear to God") [originates from Arabic] [65]
  • "Warya" (used to address a man directly, or get his attention) [originates from Somali]
  • "What're you sayin?" ("what you up to?" used as an expression of greeting) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [60]
  • "Y-pree" (used to tell someone to mind their own business or asking them what they're up to) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [66]

Pronouns

  • "Mans" or sometimes "man-dem" (I/me/you/people; first-person singular is the most notable usage) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [38]
    • Mans in 21st-century Toronto English has gained special attention in being applied as a variety of personal pronouns, including (most notably) as a first-person singular pronoun (like I or me), a second-person singular pronoun (like you), or an indefinite pronoun (similar to people or folks). A plural-conjugated verb is required with the use of mans; for example: "Mans are ready" can mean "I am ready", "you are ready", or "we are ready". "What are mans saying?" can mean "What am I saying?", "What are you saying?", or "What are we saying?". The similar usage of man as a pronoun is common in Multicultural London English (MLE), but mans as a singular pronoun is exclusively Torontonian; [67] the two terms likely developed in parallel timeframes, but not with one dialect directly affecting the other. [68] It is likely that both usages ultimately come from man with a Jamaican Patois or other Caribbean Creole origin, though no Creole uses mans in this exact way. The process of this pronoun emerging from the original noun, man(s), has been happening in Toronto since roughly 2005 to the present. [69]
  • "Them/dem-mans/man-dem" (them)
  • "Us mans" (we)
  • "You mans" (you, plural)
  • "Fam" (Friend, or more broadly anyone considered 'family' in a communal sense; can be used in place of 'we' or 'us') [originates from Jamaican Patois]

    Nouns

    • "6ix" (Toronto, in reference to its six districts and both its area codes containing the number "6") [70]
    • "Abti/upti" (uncle) [originates from Somali]
    • "Akhi" (directly translates to brother, but refers to one's close friend) [originates from Arabic]
    • "Bawtymon" (a derogatory term used to refer to a homosexual individual) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
    • "Beak" (a mouth, usually in reference to someone's loose lip)
    • "Bid" (a gun, originates from the word "biir" which roughly translates to "steel") [originates from Somali]
    • "Bin" (jail or Prison)
    • "Bill" (a hundred dollars)
    • "Boydem/Bwoydem" (refers to government or police) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
    • "Bone/Bones" (a dollar/dollars)
    • "Bucktee/bean" (someone who is an addict, homeless, or acts as such) [originates from Somali]
    • "Bangout" (a large fight or brawl, usually one with an audience)
    • "Canteen" (referring to jail or prison)
    • "Chop" (to sell drugs)
    • "Chrome" (a gun or firearm)
    • "Chune" (refers to a song or music) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
    • "Cotch/on cotch" (to have something ready or prepared)
    • "Crib" (someone's place of residence) [71]
    • "Cro/crodie" (crip version of 'bro/brodie' but usually refers to a friend, popularized among non-gang-affiliated individuals through local rap music) [72]
    • "Cronem" (group of 'cros', crip version of 'bronem', and refers to a group of friends)
    • "Cyattie" (describes a female who is being loud and obnoxious) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [73]
    • "Cut" (to exit, get away from or leave) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
    • "Cuzzo" (cousin) [74]
    • "Deafazz" (giving a hard physical slap or a punch to someone) [51]
    • "Dhillo" (a derogatory term used to refer to a promiscuous woman) [originates from Somali]
    • "Dime piece" (an attractive woman)
    • "DT" (abbreviation for downtown)
    • "Dukes" (parents) [38]
    • "Duppy" (a ghost or spirit) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
    • "Ends" (area, or neighbourhood) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [75]
    • "Fam" (short for "family" but generally used to refer to a "friend") [originates from Jamaican Patois] [76] [43]
    • "Fenty" (short for fentanyl)
    • "Fuckery" (bullshit) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
    • "Gazza" (drama, gossip, conflict or theatrics) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
    • "Govy" (abbreviated for someone's government name, legal name, or personal information)
    • "Goof" (A foolish person, with a much stronger negative connotation than the dictionary definition)
    • "Grains" (bullets)
    • "Gyal" (girl) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [77]
    • "Gyallis" (a guy who can pick up ladies easily, or has a reputation for pursuing several women at a time) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [78]
    • "Gyaldem" (group of girls) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [50]
    • "Habbad/Haabid" (a gun or weapon) [originates from Somali]
    • "Headtop" (a person's head, but can metaphorically represent mental state) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
    • "Hoodman" (a young working-class person involved in crime and drugs, similar to the equivalent word "roadman" used in MLE) [38] [79]
    • "Hooyo" (mom or mother) [originates from Somali]
    • "Housey" (to be on house arrest)
    • "Jake" (a police officer)
    • "Jam" (a party or a function)
    • "Khaniis" (a derogatory term used to refer to a homosexual individual) [originates from Somali]
    • "Loud" (marijuana)
    • "Mandem" (a group of males or male friends) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [43]
    • "Mission" (a challenging or tedious journey, typically involving a large distance)
    • "Miyute" or "myyute" (a person who is childlike, insignificant, and not taken seriously) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
    • "Mixup" (drama, gossip, conflict or theatrics) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
    • "OT" (abbreviation for out of town)
    • "Pokes" (synonymous with vagina)
    • "Pollies" (slang for "politics", used in reference to street politics)
    • "Range" (Used to reference a specific wing in jail or Prison)
    • "Shordy" (girl)
    • "Side ting" (sexual partner other than a girlfriend/wife)[ citation needed ] [80]
    • "Snake" (an untrustworthy person) [50]
    • "T-Dot" (abbreviation word for "Toronto") [81] [51]
    • "Telly" (a hotel or a hotel room) [82]
    • "Ting" (a thing but usually refers to an attractive female) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [56]
    • "Two-Twos" (unexpectedly or quickly) [83]
    • "Unto" (originates from the word "cunto" which roughly translates to "food" which is slang for drugs) [originates from Somali]
    • "Wasteman" (a worthless, garbage, insensible idiotic person who makes bad decisions with their life, both words being used interchangeably) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [47]
    • "Wasteyute" (used similarly to wasteman, but more specifically describes a childlike or naive individual) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [42]
    • "Wifey" (girlfriend, or wife) [84]
    • "Wozzles" (oral sex)
    • "Yute" (synonymous with "youth", but used to directly address or refer to a young person) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [48]

    Verbs

    • "Ball up" (smoking marijuana) [85]
    • "Bagged" (having acquired a significant other or sexual partner)
    • "Buss" (to give/to send, to break) [86]
    • "Crunched/crushed" (to beat up or attack)
    • "Cut" (to leave)
    • "Duppied" (to turn to a ghost, usually referring to someone passing away or having been killed) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
    • "Fawad" (to come or to go somewhere) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
    • "Fend" (to defend against)
    • "Flip" (to kill someone, usually to claim bounty or reward; derived from flipping)
    • "Flied/Flyed" (someone being killed, in reference to funeral release doves)
    • "Greased" (to describe having sexual intercourse, used similarly to "Pine")
    • "Gurksed/murked" (to beat up or attack)
    • "Jam" (to rob or steal from someone)
    • "Kawal" (to scam, synonymous with finesse) [originates from Somali] [87] [88]
    • "Keep Six" (to be on the lookout or to watch your back; derived from the layout of a clock)
    • "Latched" (to be arrested or detained by law enforcement)
    • "Link" (to meet up) [89] [52]
    • "Lowe" (to allow, ignore, forget or not bother with) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [44]
    • "Moving" (describes someones behaviour, actions, or attitude)
    • "Nyam" (to eat) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [90]
    • "Pree" (to see, look or pay close attention to) [originates from Jamaican Patois] [38]
    • "Pine" (to have sexual intercourse)
    • "Rate" (to express approval or appreciation for something or someone)
    • "Run" (to give something or to hand an item over, with "run me my..." being the common usage)
    • "Reach/fly" (synonyms for "come by" or "attend", used similarly to "fawad") [43]
    • "Rinse" (to rob or steal from someone)
    • "Send" (to hand over or pass an object)
    • "Scoop" (to get a ride somewhere, get picked up) [59]
    • "Scrap" (to fight) [55]
    • "Slime" (to play, or act like a player, using others for sexual pleasure)
    • "Stain" (to rob or steal from someone) [91]
    • "Toke/tump" (the action of smoking, often referring to marijuana)
    • "Yellowtape" (indicates that something or someone is completed or finished, in reference to crime scene tape)

    Intensifiers

    • "-azz" (a suffix used to amplify or emphasize the meaning of other words or slang)
      • I heard his new track, its a hardazz.
    • "-dem" (a pluralizing element that can emphasize the size of a group or relationships between members of said group) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
      • Tell the rest of the dawgsdem to come through.
    • "one-two" (a pluralizing element that emphasizes quantity of an action, object, task, etc)
      • I already tried to call him one-two times, it goes straight to voicemail.
      • Let's smoke a one-two ting

    Misconceptions

    The increasing criticism of the Toronto accent as "fake" or indicative of a "ghetto" identity reflects a form of linguicism, akin to the discrimination encountered by speakers of African American Vernacular English in the United States. Such perceptions suggest that non-standard linguistic features are indicative of low intelligence or poor education; a perspective rooted in classism, racism, and xenophobia. [92] Specifically, this xenophobia manifests as it associates multicultural expressions—which the dialect is an amalgamation and celebration of—with the negative stereotypes of being a non-contributing member of society. Additionally, the prevalent social media claim that "People don't speak like this in Toronto" reinforces the belief that only speakers of "proper" English are fully functional members of society, while others should be subconsciously dismissed. [93] [94] By dismissing Toronto's diverse linguistic expression as merely "fake" or "ghetto," there is a failure to recognize it as a legitimate part of the city's cultural identity.

    This misconception often stems from the dialect's incorrect adoption and use by outsiders, particularly in suburbs and cities outside Toronto, such as Ottawa, Hamilton, Barrie, Brampton, Mississauga, and Vaughan. These regions are significantly disconnected from the communities and localities where the culture and dialect organically developed. [8] As a result, the accent's portrayal by individuals from these areas can sometimes appear inauthentic or caricatured, which heavily distorts its true character and contributes to a negative perception of its genuine use. [9]

    Compounding this issue are broader misunderstandings regarding the development of MTE. Critics have accused it of mimicking Multicultural London English, However, this is not the case; Both dialects have evolved independently, sharing roots in similar immigration patterns, thus showcasing unique sociolinguistic developments reflective of their respective cities’ multicultural landscapes. [95] [96] Furthermore, the spotlight has often been placed on public figures such as Drake or PartyNextDoor, attributing the development and popularization of the slang to them. [97] This overlooks the deeper, historical, and community-driven origins of the language. In reality, the dialect predates careers like Drake's by decades, something even he had acknowledged before adopting it himself. [98]

    Discussions around cultural appropriation have arisen in regards to MTE and its origins. Some have argued the possibility of its usage veering into the territory of cultural appropriation. [99] This results from a failure to recognize that the concept of 'cultural appropriation' is largely rooted in American cultural discourse—analyzing an inherently Canadian multicultural phenomenon through this lens may not be entirely appropriate. [100] A nuanced understanding positions Toronto's slang and accent as a celebration of cultural diversity and integration. [101] Rather than a medium of appropriation, the dialect serves as a fusion of diverse cultural elements, reflecting the appreciation and mutual understanding within Toronto's diverse communities. [102] While acknowledging this, it is also important to consider the potential for appropriation by non-black individuals, particularly white individuals, who may adopt the dialect without having grown up speaking it. This commodification can project stereotypes of 'toughness' without facing associated negative implications, similar to Black Vernacular English. [103] Criticisms of cultural appropriation from recent immigrants or those still in their home country, who see second or third-generation descendants of immigrants sharing cultures, are often misguided. Claims of appropriation from various races and socioeconomic backgrounds, detached from the cultures the language sources, can obscure native speakers' connection to their dialect.

    See also

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    The Brummie dialect, or more formally the Birmingham dialect, is spoken by many people in Birmingham, England, and some of its surrounding area. "Brummie" is also a demonym for people from Birmingham. It is often erroneously used in referring to all accents of the West Midlands, as it is markedly distinct from the traditional accent of the adjacent Black Country, but modern-day population mobility has tended to blur the distinction. Population mobility has meant that to a degree, the Brummie accent extends into some parts of the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, but much of the accent within the borough might be considered to be closer to contemporary Received Pronunciation (RP).

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Snow (musician)</span> Canadian musician

    Darrin Kenneth O'Brien, known by his stage name Snow, is a Canadian reggae musician, rapper, and singer. His 1992 single "Informer" spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Bermudian English</span> Regional dialect of English

    Bermudian English is a regional dialect of English found in Bermuda, a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic. Standard English is used in professional settings and in writing, while vernacular Bermudian English is spoken on more casual occasions. The Bermudian dialect began to develop following settlement in the early 17th century and retains traits of Elizabethan English. Bermudian Creole is also spoken in Bermuda, especially among younger Bermudians.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamaican Patois</span> English-based creole language spoken in Jamaica

    Jamaican Patois is an English-based creole language with influences from West African and other languages, spoken primarily in Jamaica and among the Jamaican diaspora. Words or slang from Jamaican Patois can be heard in other Caribbean countries, the United Kingdom, New York City and Miami in the United States, and Toronto, Canada. The majority of non-English words in Patois derive from the West African Akan language. It is spoken by the majority of Jamaicans as a native language.

    Nigerian Pidgin, also known as Naijá in scholarship, is an English-based creole language spoken as a lingua franca across Nigeria. The language is sometimes referred to as Pijin or Vernacular. It can be spoken as a pidgin, a creole, dialect or a decreolised acrolect by different speakers, who may switch between these forms depending on the social setting. In the 2010s, a common orthography was developed for Pidgin which has been gaining significant popularity in giving the language a harmonized writing system.

    Rinkeby Swedish is any of a number of varieties of Swedish spoken mainly in urban districts with a high proportion of immigrant residents which emerged as a linguistic phenomenon in the 1980s. Rinkeby in Stockholm is one such suburb, but the term Rinkeby Swedish may sometimes be used for similar varieties in other Swedish cities as well. A similar term is Rosengårdssvenska after the district Rosengård in Malmö. The one magazine in Sweden published in these varieties, Gringo, proposes 'miljonsvenska' based on the Million Programme.

    Indonesian slang vernacular, or Jakarta colloquial speech is a term that subsumes various urban vernacular and non-standard styles of expression used throughout Indonesia that are not necessarily mutually intelligible. Regional slang from the capital of Jakarta, based on Betawi language, is however heavily exposed and promoted in national media, and considered the de facto Indonesian slang. Despite its direct origins, Indonesian slang often differs quite significantly in both vocabulary and grammatical structure from the most standard form of Indonesia's national language. These expressions are neither standardized nor taught in any formal establishments, but rather function in daily discourse, usually in informal settings. Several dictionaries of bahasa gaul has been published. Indonesian speakers regularly mix several regional slangs in their conversations regardless of origin, but depending on the audience and the familiarity level with the listeners.

    Philadelphia English or Delaware Valley English is a variety or dialect of American English native to Philadelphia and extending into Philadelphia's metropolitan area throughout the Delaware Valley, including southeastern Pennsylvania, all of South Jersey, counties of northern Delaware, and the northern Eastern Shore of Maryland. Aside from Philadelphia and the surrounding counties and arguably Baltimore, the dialect is spoken in places such as Reading, Camden, Atlantic City, Wilmington, Vineland, and Dover. Philadelphia English is one of the best-studied types of English, as Philadelphia's University of Pennsylvania is the home institution of pioneering sociolinguist William Labov. Philadelphia English shares certain features with New York City English and Midland American English, although it remains a distinct dialect of its own. Philadelphia and Baltimore accents together fall under what Labov describes as a single Mid-Atlantic regional dialect.

    Multicultural London English is a sociolect of English that emerged in the late 20th century. It is spoken mainly by young, working-class people in multicultural parts of London.

    <i>12 Inches of Snow</i> 1993 studio album by Snow

    12 Inches of Snow is the debut album by Canadian reggae musician Snow, released in 1993. Edmond Leary and MC Shan produced the entire album, apart from one track which was produced by John Ficarrotta. The album was produced shortly before Snow was imprisoned for a year on an assault charge. Upon his release from prison, his first single "Informer" became a chart topping hit.

    The Miami accent is an evolving American English accent or sociolect spoken in South Florida, particularly in Miami-Dade county, originating from central Miami. The Miami accent is most prevalent in American-born Hispanic youth who live in the Greater Miami area.

    Dancehall pop is a sub-genre of the Jamaican genre dancehall that originated in the early 2000s. Developing from the sounds of reggae, dancehall pop is characteristically different in its fusion with western pop music and digital music production. Dancehall pop is also different from dancehall in that most songs use lesser Jamaican Patois in lyrics––allowing it to be globally understood and consumed. It also incorporates the key pop music elements of having melodies, hooks, and the verse-chorus format. Additionally, the genre moves away from the reggae and roots reggae music origins in social and political protest, now lyrically centering on partying, dancing, and sexuality.

    Zimbabwean English is a regional variety of English found in Zimbabwe. While the majority of Zimbabweans speak Shona (75%) and Ndebele (18%) as a first language, standard English is the primary language used in education, government, commerce and media in Zimbabwe, giving it an important role in society. Just under 5 percent of Zimbabweans are native English speakers and 89 percent of the population can speak English fluently or at a high level, second only to the Seychelles amongst African nations.

    In Rastafari, "Ites, gold and green", refers to the colours associated with the Rastafari movement. The colours ites (red), gold (yellow) and green hold symbolic significance for Rastafarians and represent different aspects of their beliefs and identity.

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