How do you know whan a word is in standard or non-standard Canadian English?

Many dictionaries contain this information. If you live in Canada, please check your library for a dictionary that shows standard and non-standard Canadian usage. Also -- Dictionary.com (and other dictionaries) give standard British usages. For instance, in the U.S. usage, a napkin is defined as a piece of cloth or paper used to wipe one's mouth at a meal. But the British (and Canadian) napkin is a diaper. Canadians use the French word, serviette for the paper or cloth used at a meal to wipe one's mouth.

To determine whether a word is in standard or non-standard Canadian English, you can follow these steps:

1. Check Canadian English dictionaries: Many dictionaries specific to Canadian English will provide information on standard usage. Consider checking your local library or online resources for Canadian English dictionaries that distinguish between standard and non-standard words.

2. Consult resources like Dictionary.com: While Dictionary.com primarily provides standard British English usages, it can still be useful to determine if a word is non-standard in Canadian English. By comparing the definitions provided by Dictionary.com with your own knowledge of Canadian English, you can get an idea of whether a word is standard or non-standard.

3. Consider regional variations: Canadian English contains regional variations, and certain words or phrases may be more commonly used in specific provinces or regions. Understanding the regional context can help determine if a word is standard or non-standard in a particular Canadian English variation.

4. Observe native speakers and media: Pay attention to how native Canadian English speakers use certain words. This could include listening to conversational speech, watching Canadian television shows or movies, or reading Canadian literature. If a word is consistently used by native speakers or commonly found in Canadian media, it is more likely to be considered standard Canadian English.

Remember that language is constantly evolving, and what may be considered non-standard today could become standard usage in the future. It is also important to consider context, audience, and formality when determining whether a word is appropriate to use in a specific setting.