Category: everyday

  • help a gal out

    Survey is closed. Thanks to everyone that participated!

    So. As most (or all) of you know, I’m a university student at the moment – I go to the University of Toronto, and am double majoring in biology and linguistics (yeah, I know). One of the courses I’m taking right now is “Canadian English”, a linguistics course taught by Jack Chambers – he’s THE GUY where Canadian linguistics is concerned.

    When I spoke to him about my research paper topic, I said I had a knitting blog (he said: “wow! really?”) and suggested that it might be a good way to get some data.

    So here we are! Please please PLEASE help me out and take my survey! It’s a bit long looking, but the questions are easy, I swear. Canadians and Americans are welcome, although I really to want to emphasize native Canadian English speakers. None of your identifying information will be used.

    You can copy and paste this into an email to me, or answer in the comments!

    THANKS! And get the word out if you can!

    …oh, and did I mention, there might even be a random draw for tokens of my appreciation…but that’s not why you’ll help out, right? ;)

    Please answer all questions as you would speak in casual conversation.

    LIN201 Survey
    ABOUT YOU:

    Sex: __________________

    Education (all that apply): ___________________________
    grades 1-8
    grades 9-12
    university
    community college
    (Quebec) Grades 1-6
    (Quebec) sec 1-5
    (Quebec) CEGEP 1-3

    Age: _________
    14-19
    20-29
    30-39
    40-49
    50-59
    60-69
    70-79
    over 80

    Your Occupation: __________________________
    Your birthplace: Where were you born? _____________
    Where do you live now? ______________________
    Where were you raised from ages 8 to 18? _______________
    Where was your father born? _____________________
    What is/was your father’s occupation? _______________
    Where was your mother born? ____________________
    What is/was your mother’s occupation? ________________

    How often do you use English? Choose from: always, often, seldom, never

    At home: ___________
    At work: ___________
    With your friends: ___________
    With your relatives: ___________

    QUESTIONS:

    For the following question, please look at the picture and write down your response. Please answer this question before continuing onto the rest of the survey. Please answer with what you would normally use in casual conversation, NOT what you think you “should” say.
    1. What would you call this: _______________________________

    (Photo from http://www.ssa.gov/deposit/)

    2. With regards to the picture above, how would you rate your use of the following:
    always, often, sometimes, rarely, never

    line: ___________
    lineup (line-up): ___________
    queue: ___________
    checkout: ___________
    cash: ___________
    other (please specify): _______________________________

    3. Please fill in the following, using what you would normally use, NOT what you think you “should” use:

    a. We were _______ line for fifteen minutes.
    b. We had to ____________ in line to talk to the administrator.
    c. There was a huge ________________ at the bank. (any of the choices from question 2)
    d. There was a huge ________________ at the grocery store. (any of the choices from question 2)

    4. What would you call this: _______________________

    (Photo from http://www.fotosearch.com)

    THAT’S IT!

    Email me with your answers or leave it in the comments!

    Thanks again!