I'm Canadian, eh... or is it aye?

This past couple weeks have been overtaken by the life-crowding debacle of the post-9/11 visa application process, and quite frankly there have been moments where it looked like we might not pull this Scottish relocation off. Even now we are waiting for some crucial documents to come in a timely manner so that we can get our applications in and processed as needed. You might have picked up on this in my agonized "poetry" a couple posts back, but we're at this point feeling like we won't believe we're going until we get on the plane.

Regardless, I do allow myself a few rare opportunities to "dream" of the Aberdeen move, and one thing I did recently was download some BBC Scotland podcasts to get a feel for the day-to-day culture. And the first one I listened to was most remarkable for the fact that I only understood about 75% of it! I actually had a dream a while back that my boys came home from their first day of school upset because they didn't know what the teacher was saying.

Overstating it, I hope, but there is going to be culture shock and language issues, even in this English to English move. This is often the first thing people talk about when they hear we are trying to move to Scotland: "Oh your boys are going to pick up the most wonderful accents!" Yup, probably. But its led me to thinking: What will become of my Canadian accent, and even my patriotism?

I read an article recently which said that a "study" showed that people who move to a new country pick up the new language and/or accent more or less quickly relative to the amount of attachment or even pride that they have to their old country.

This is intriguing to me, because knowing myself I have a feeling I'll adapt somewhat. Not because I want to be "cool" in Scotland, but because I just will usually be drawn into talking the language of those around me.

In France last spring I instinctly and consciously (and badly, just ask my wife!) started trying to speak French. I would step up at Starbucks and order in "French" and when they'd respond to me in English I'd realize I had a ways to go. But it just felt right to try, and I enjoyed it, though it gave me a headache sometimes. I got hooked, actually. I was still saying "Merci beaucuoup" the whole flight home, and only stopped when my wife pointed out to me that we had an all-American flight crew.

I tend to think that I'll come home more proud of Canada than I am now. The whole absence-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder kind of thing. I'm not worried about that. To me it isn't an either/or between cultures. You can love, and hope to love, more than one place. Maybe this is my spin on it, but I just know that I tend to join my community. I don't think I lose my identity, per se, or change who I am, but I do start to talk like those I'm with.

But here's my question to you, to get my mind off of the paralyzing pins and needles of the visa-waiting game: If my family does indeed move, and I start "speaking Scottish" somewhat, does that make me a bad Canadian? Feel free to be flippant or fun or philosophical about it. I'm facing some cultural anxiety over it, and am curious what you think.