> The English version of “baguette” stops rhyming with “vague-ette,” Coming from central Canada, "bag" always rhymes with "vague". I get funny looks sometimes when "lag" comes up in conversation here in the Pacific NW.
By central Canada, do you mean Ontario? I've lived in Manitoba for decades and I don't know anyone who pronounces "bag" that way.
Manitobans are the worst offfenders on the "bag"/"bayg" meter. If anything, it's the trademark of their accent. It isn't until I point it out do they hear it. anything that Americans (californians especially) say with the short A sound that ends with a hard consonant is liable to be mangled by a manitoban. If you aren't hearing it, it's because your accent is getting in the way (the one you probably swear you don't have).
Ontario residents mangle their A sounds a little different. when you have an "ar" combination in a word, they pronounce it like "air", but as if you're simultaneously having a mild stroke. "Marnie had an Enlarged Heart" is always fun to hear one say.