I’ve bought the new Brian Adams’ CD yesterday, not that I’m a big fan, but I like “unplugged” or “live” stuff. Anyway, Ive noticed that there’s some low whistle in the background. Today I’ve learned that it’s actually Dave Spillane that’s playing on the CD. Did anyone else listen to the album?
You are so, so Canadian, Az! Bryan Adams!
Cara
Well, I reserve the right to make mistakes on his name, he’s canadian too! But really, it’s Bryan??
That wasn’t meant as a spelling correction, dear Az. I don’t know if it’s “brian” or “bryan,” I was just remarking on the Canadian-ness of your post.
XXOO
Cara
Ahhhh! Hmmmm, so tell me, how was my post “canadian”-like? I’m proud to be canadian, but I’m curious about what makes us different! 
Just guessing, but I’m after noticing you used “I’ve noticed,” I’ve bought," “I’ve learned…” Is that a Canadian thing?
Tony
I’d be proud to be Canadian too, if I were one!
sorry for being cryptic. I just fired it off because I think Canada is a great country with great people, with pretty awesome entertainers! And maybe I was teasing a bit, you doing your patriotic duty by buying a Bryan Adams record.
Cara
Tony: the first and third examples you quote are not a Canadian thing but a “Canayen” thing.
But if you’re going to pick nits, let me pick some. French speakers aren’t the only ones who can’t make the distinction (a very vital one in European English) between “I have” and “I did”. Many Americans use “I did” in contexts where Europeans would expect “I have”. Until you get used to it, it confuses the hell out of you. As does the lack of clear distinction in American English between “bring” and “take” and (my personal favourite), asking people “Is this Steve?” on the telephone.
The second example you quote BTW would be regarded as entirely correct in English English.
Cara, thanks for your comments Hmmm I swear it’s a coincidence if I bought Brian Adams really… I was actually with an english girl who really likes Brian, so let’s blame the english!
As for the “I’ve learned”, etc, do I have to say “I learned” and/or “I did learn” instead of “I have learned” ?
Don’t ask Tony. Don’t ask me. Ask an English whistle player. One who can play better than either of us.
Hmm where would you find one of those? This is a no-brianer.
Tony: the first and third examples you quote are not a Canadian thing but a “Canayen” thing.
Forgive my ignorance, but, what is a “Canayen” thing, or more specifically, what is “Canayen?” Don’t use my first and third examples as an example.
Tony
“Canayen” = “canadien” pronounced in a thick rural Québec accent
“canadien” = French for “Canadian”
The adjective “Canadien” was originally used to refer only to the French-speaking population in Canada. The English-speakers considered themselves to be, well, English, for a long time after they “brought democracy to Canada”, to borrow a phrase, in 1760. So “Canayen” means French-Canadian.
You can read a bit about it here: http://www.vigile.net/identite/chartrandcanayen.html
(Bloomfield please note that your friend Ben makes an appearance on this page.)
I didn’t wish to appear crusty Tony but like quite a few posters on the board Az doesn’t have English as his mother tongue and it always seems a little unfair when people pick on the way he and others formulate things, which happens quite often.
Yeah, Tony, stop picking up on ME!!! 
Steve, you’re killing me!
Jef
Or just a plain gallicism.
Unfortunately, spoken French almost totally dropped the use of preterite (passé simple), using perfect (passé composé) instead. Hence the tendency to “have done” something, which sounds foreign in English.
In written French, preterite is still used, but if you speak it out, the crowd will sneer at your speaking with the “imparfait du subjonctif” (a complicate “latin” tense which has nothing to do with it).
For all references check the grammar Le Bon Usage by Jules Grévisse (publ.: Duculot), a master reference eventhough it is… Belgian.
It depends.
You could say: “I’ve learnt”
I should stick to: “I’m learning”
We’re talking of whistles, ain’t we?