Multicultural Toronto English

Multicultural Toronto English (MTE) is a multi-ethnic dialect of Canadian English used in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), particularly among young non-White (non-Anglo) working-class speakers. First studied in linguistics research of the late 2010s and early 2020s, 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. It is also spoken outside of the GTA, in cities such as Hamilton, Barrie, and Ottawa.

History

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. With many of these immigrants fleeing war, conflict, and poor economic conditions, they arrived with limited financial resources and, as a result, settled in Toronto's lower-income communities. These neighbourhoods rapidly transformed into vibrant melting pots, filled with a diverse array of cultures and ethnicities. This cultural amalgamation played a crucial role in developing MTE, which is rooted in Toronto's multiculturalism and strongly influenced by Caribbean, East African, and Middle Eastern languages. Towards the end of the 1990s, native Toronto rapper Kardinal Offishall released his Billboard-charting single "BaKardi Slang"; it showcased a variety of the city's slang throughout the lyrics and signaled the dialect was already significantly developed by this time.

The second-generation descendants of these immigrants significantly contributed to embedding Toronto's distinctive slang and accent into the city's culture. Faced with limited economic opportunities within their communities, children of the initial immigrant influx turned to creative outlets such as rap music, fashion, and athletics for both expression and livelihood. Their influence in these areas helped shape the city's popular culture, especially among the youth in the Greater Toronto Area. 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.

2006 marked the first mention of Toronto's slang or accent in any formal or academic research. 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. Furthermore, documentaries produced by local broadcasters such as CityTV and CBC served to spotlight the dialect's presence in the city. This linguistic evolution during this period not only reflected Toronto's multicultural heritage but also served as a unifying cultural element for the city.

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

Phonology

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

The distinct accent features of Multicultural Toronto English include the vowel before a nasal consonant being unraised or only slightly raised and the vowel being monophthongal, both of which are "distinctly non-normative" in 21st-century Standard Canadian English; these are led by men in the Toronto area. Th-stopping is a variable feature, likely adopted from Jamaican Patois, for instance with such words as ''youth'', ''thing'', and ''them'' colloquially spelled as ''yute'', ''ting'', and ''dem''.Bigelow, Lauren; Timothy Gadanidis; Lisa Schlegl; Pocholo Umbal, and Derek Denis. 2020. "Whyare wasteyutes a ting?" ''University of Pennsylvania Working Papers in Linguistics'' 26(2): Article 3.

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)
*"B" (short for " bro") [originates from Jamaican Patois]
*"Babyfood" (used to describe something as easy)
*"Bare" (very/a lot/many) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
*"Beat" (something that looks ugly, can be used to describe an object or person)
*"Beg" (someone trying to get attention in a pitiful way, similar to being “extra”) ften used in a playful manner*"Bent" (describes an individual who is upset)
*"Blem" (describes an individual who is high or intoxicated) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
*"Cheesed" (pissed, mad, angry)
*"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]
*"Dry" (uncool, lame, boring, uninteresting)
*"Fried" (describes an individual who is high or intoxicated)
*"Greezy" (something impressive or attractive in a fashionable use)
*"Likkle" (small, little) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
*"Live" (used to describe something as lively or exciting, usually an approval or endorsement of an events atmosphere)
*"Marved" (hungry, starving)
*"Merked" (ugly, unattractive)
*"Miskeen" (pathetic, or poor - frequently used referring to someone who is "civilian" and "innocent," not involved in any crime) riginates from Arabic">Arabic.html" ;"title="riginates from Arabic">riginates from Arabic*"Mod" (crazy, originates from Jamaican Patois)
*"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]
*"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)
*"Sick" (used to describe someone who is particularly dangerous or gangster)
*"Sweeterman/Sweeter-ting” (an attractive person)
*"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") Somali">Somali_language.html" ;"title="riginates from Somali language">Somali*"Ahlie" (expression to agree with something or "am I lying?") [originates from Jamaican Patois]
*"Are you dumb?" (to describe someone who behaves stupidly and completely idiotically)
*"Bless up!" (expression of greeting or farewell) riginates 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]
*"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 " batty boy" or "batty man") [originates from Jamaican Patois]
*"Haye, haye" (an adlib that directly translates to "okay, okay" or "alright, alright") Somali">Somali_language.html" ;"title="riginates from Somali language">Somali*"Holy!" (pronounced 'holay' and used as an expression of surprise)
*"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") Somali">Somali_language.html" ;"title="riginates from Somali language">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") riginates from Arabic">Arabic.html" ;"title="riginates from Arabic">riginates from Arabic*"Jheez" (used to express surprise, excitement or support)
*"Jokes!" ("that's jokes!", compliments something funny or hilarious)
*"Khallas" (signifies that something is finished, completed or done) riginates from Arabic">Arabic.html" ;"title="riginates from Arabic">riginates from Arabic*"Mashallah" (used to congratulate someone) riginates from Arabic">Arabic.html" ;"title="riginates from Arabic">riginates 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)
*"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]
*"Styll" (pronounced "still" and means agree to someone or the truth and is occasionally used at the last part of a statement)
*"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]
*"Wallahi" ("I swear to God") riginates from Arabic">Arabic.html" ;"title="riginates from Arabic">riginates from Arabic*"Warya" (used to address a man directly, or get his attention) Somali">Somali_language.html" ;"title="riginates from Somali language">Somali*"What're you sayin?" ("what you up to?" used as an expression of greeting) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
*"Y-pree" (used to tell someone to mind their own business or asking them what they're up to) [originates from Jamaican Patois]

Pronouns

* "Mans" or sometimes "man-dem" (I/me/you/people; first-person singular is the most notable usage) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
**''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; the two terms likely developed in parallel timeframes, but not with one dialect directly affecting the other. 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.
* "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")
*"Abti/upti" (uncle) Somali">Somali_language.html" ;"title="riginates from Somali language">Somali*"Akhi" (directly translates to brother, but refers to one's close friend) riginates from Arabic">Arabic.html" ;"title="riginates from Arabic">riginates from Arabic*"Batty boy">Batty man" (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") Somali">Somali_language.html" ;"title="riginates from Somali language">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) Somali">Somali_language.html" ;"title="riginates from Somali language">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)
*"Cro/crodie" (crip version of 'bro/brodie' but usually refers to a friend, popularized among non-gang-affiliated individuals through local rap music)
*"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]
*"Cut" (to exit, get away from or leave) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
*"Cuzzo" (cousin)
*"Deafazz" (giving a hard physical slap or a punch to someone)
*"Dhillo" (a derogatory term used to refer to a promiscuous woman) Somali">Somali_language.html" ;"title="riginates from Somali language">Somali*"Dime piece" (an attractive woman)
*"DT" (abbreviation for downtown)
*"Dukes" (parents)
*"Duppy" (a ghost or spirit) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
*"Ends" (area, or neighbourhood) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
* "Fam" (short for "family" but generally used to refer to a "friend") [originates from Jamaican Patois]
* "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]
* "Gyallis" (a guy who can pick up ladies easily, or has a reputation for pursuing several women at a time) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
* "Gyaldem" (group of girls) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
* "Habbad/Haabid" (a gun or weapon) Somali">Somali_language.html" ;"title="riginates from Somali language">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)
* "Hooyo" (mom or mother) Somali">Somali_language.html" ;"title="riginates from Somali language">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) Somali">Somali_language.html" ;"title="riginates from Somali language">Somali* "Loud" (marijuana)
* "Mandem" (a group of males or male friends) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
* "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)
* "Snake" (an untrustworthy person)
* "T-Dot" (abbreviation word for "Toronto")
* "Telly" (a hotel or a hotel room)
* "Ting" (a thing but usually refers to an attractive female) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
* "Two-Twos" (unexpectedly or quickly)
*"Unto" (originates from the word "cunto" which roughly translates to "food" which is slang for drugs) Somali">Somali_language.html" ;"title="riginates from Somali language">Somali* "Wasteman" (a worthless, garbage, insensible idiotic person who makes bad decisions with their life, both words being used interchangeably) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
* "Wasteyute" (used similarly to wasteman, but more specifically describes a childlike or naive individual) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
* "Wifey" (girlfriend, or wife)
* "Wozzles" (oral sex)
* "Yute" (synonymous with "youth", but used to directly address or refer to a young person) [originates from Jamaican Patois]

Verbs

* "Ball up" (smoking marijuana)
* "Bagged" (having acquired a significant other or sexual partner)
* "Buss" (to give/to send, to break)
* "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) Somali">Somali_language.html" ;"title="riginates from Somali language">Somali* "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)
* "Lowe" (to allow, ignore, forget or not bother with) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
* "Moving" (describes someones behaviour, actions, or attitude)
* "Nyam" (to eat) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
* "Pree" (to see, look or pay close attention to) [originates from Jamaican Patois]
* "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")
* "Rinse" (to rob or steal from someone)
* "Send" (to hand over or pass an object)
* "Scoop" (to get a ride somewhere, get picked up)
* "Scrap" (to fight)
* "Slime" (to play, or act like a player, using others for sexual pleasure)
* "Stain" (to rob or steal from someone)
* "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) riginates 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. 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. 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. 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.

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. 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. 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.

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. 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. A nuanced understanding positions Toronto's slang and accent as a celebration of cultural diversity and integration. 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. 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."Appropriation vs. Authenticity, the use of Black Vernacular English By White Speakers" https://dc.suffolk.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1015&context=undergrad , access-date=2024-5-12, 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.

In popular culture

* From 2016 to 2019, Toronto-based comedy group 4YE in collaboration with Bell Media released a multi-part series featurin
"Tyco"
an
"Judge Tyco,"
caricatures of the stereotypical Toronto man, set in the early 2000s.
* In 2017, Drake was featured in a Toronto-based comedy skit "''T-Dot Goon Scrap DVD 2''" produced by 4YE, in which he satirizes Toronto's slang and accent.
* In a ''Vanity Fair'' YouTube video, Shawn Mendes, a popular Canadian singer and songwriter, was featured teaching the audience Canadian slang (primarily featuring Toronto slang vocabulary).
* In 2024, during his viral rap feud with Toronto-based rapper Drake, Kendrick Lamar parodied MTE on his diss track Euphoria.
* In 2024, Drake released a satirical parody-remix of Hey There Delilah titled " Wah Gwan Delilah" alongside local comedian Snowd4y; the song pokes fun at MTE and Toronto culture.

See also

* Canadian English
* Greater Toronto Area
* Toronto
* Multicultural London English
* Multiethnolect
* Singlish
* Sociolect

References

{{Authority control

Languages attested from the 20th century
Canadian English
Greater Toronto Area
English
City colloquials
English language in Canada
Multiculturalism in Canada
Working-class culture in Canada