I don't have time to look up the references, but there is an article, well
known amongst Canadian dialectologists, entitled "So you think 'eh' is
Canadian, eh?" by Walter S. Avis published in the Canadian Journal of
Linguistics in the late 1960s or early 1970s. Avis's entry s.v. eh in the
Gage Canadian Dictionary might also provide some information.
Catherine F. Schryer writes:
>
> Myth has it that it is a remnant of the French "hein?"
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, January 19, 2002 5:52 PM
> Subject: Eh?
>
>
> > Dear CASLLers
> >
> > This week I was asked about the origin/background for the ubiquitous
> > Canadian "eh." Can anyone on this list help me out?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Henry Hubert
> >
> > -------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Henry A. Hubert, Ph.D.
> > Dean of Arts
> >
> > University College of the Cariboo | Phone: 250-828-5236
> > P.O. Box 3010 | FAX: 250-371-5510
> > Kamloops, B. C. | E-mail: [log in to unmask]
> > V2C 5N3
> > -------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
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>
> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
> To leave the list, send a SIGNOFF CASLL command to
> [log in to unmask] or, if you experience difficulties,
> write to Russ Hunt at [log in to unmask]
>
> For the list archives and information about the organization,
> the annual conference, and publications, go to the Inkshed Web site at
> http://www.StThomasU.ca/inkshed/
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>
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ian Pringle
Director, School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies
Carleton University
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1S 5B6
Tel (+1 613) 520-6612. Fax (+1 613) 520-6641
Email address: [log in to unmask]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
To leave the list, send a SIGNOFF CASLL command to
[log in to unmask] or, if you experience difficulties,
write to Russ Hunt at [log in to unmask]
For the list archives and information about the organization,
the annual conference, and publications, go to the Inkshed Web site at
http://www.StThomasU.ca/inkshed/
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