Lyla Lindsey
Australian English is full of slang and Aussies have a distinct accent. There are innumerable variations of the Australian accent, but there are three main classifications: broad, general, and cultivated. The broad accent is the most recognizable to non-Australian English speakers, as it's the type of accent typically used in non-Australian media. This accent has a slower speech pattern, longer diphthongs, and a more nasal tone. For example, “nice” sounds more like “noice”. The broader the accent, the more pronounced the diphthong. Australians also tend to drop the r sound at the end of words, replacing it with an ah sound, so car becomes cah. They also soften t to sound like a d, so writing becomes wridin’. To speak like an Australian, it's recommended to chew your words before you say them, end sentences with but, as, hey? or aye, and use heaps all the time, which means very or a lot.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Abbreviate words | Breakfast = brekkie, Afternoon = arvo, McDonald's = Maccas, Football = footy, Bottle shop = bottle-o, Garage = servo |
| Drop the "r" at the end of words | River = riva, Soccer = socka, Together = tagetha, Runner = runna |
| Don't pronounce the "g" at the end of words | Catching = catchin', Kicking = kickin' |
| Long "o" sounds become A-O sounds | No = nar |
| Drop the "t" at the end of words | Right = roigh |
| "A" sounds become "i" sounds | No way, mate = No w-ay-e m-aye-ght |
| "Ah" sounds become "eh" sounds | That hat = Theht heht |
| Chew words before saying them | |
| End sentences with a rising inflection | |
| Speak quietly | |
| Use "heaps" to mean "very" or "a lot" | |
| Use Aussie slang | G'day, mate, she'll be right, fair dinkum, fully sick, bogan, cobber, coldie, budgie smugglers, trackie dacks, wanker, tosser, dag, dardy, etc. |
| Add "mate" or "love" to the end of sentences | |
| Swear often |
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What You'll Learn
Learn Aussie slang
Australian English is full of slang and has a distinct accent. Here are some tips to help you learn Aussie slang and sound like a local.
First, it's worth noting that there are many variations of the Australian accent. The three main classifications are broad, general, and cultivated. The broad accent is the one most commonly associated with Australia by non-Australian English speakers, as it's the accent typically used in non-Australian media. However, it's historically associated with the working class. It's more of a drawl, with slower speech patterns, longer diphthongs, and a more nasal tone. The general accent is likely the most common today, and the broad accent is blending more with the general accent.
To learn to speak like an Australian, it's important to listen to how Australians speak and try to mimic their pronunciation and intonation. Australians tend to speak with less annunciation, and words can blend together. They also tend to end sentences with a rising inflection, even if the sentence isn't a question.
Now, let's get to some Aussie slang words and phrases. Australians are known for shortening words, so you'll hear a lot of words cut down. For example, "G'day" is a common greeting, and "mate" is often added to the end of sentences. "No worries" is another very common phrase, meaning "do not worry about it", "it's all right", "sure thing", or "you're welcome". If someone says "it's my shout", they're saying they'll pay, as in "it's my round". "Bogan" is a slang word for someone who is a redneck or acting strangely. If you're acting unreasonably, you might be told to "pull ya head in", and if you want someone to believe you, you can say "fair dinkum, mate".
So, if you're heading to Australia, try practicing some of these phrases and slang words to fit right in with the locals!
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Chew your words
When it comes to speaking like an Australian, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, Australians tend to blend their words together, with a more relaxed mouth position, and without the same emphasis on annunciation as some other varieties of English.
To mimic this, try "chewing your words" before you say them. This will help you achieve that laid-back, blended sound that characterises Australian English. It's important to note that this doesn't mean speaking slowly or lazily; Australians simply have a different rhythm and flow to their speech, with a unique cadence and intonation.
In addition to this, there are a few specific techniques you can use to refine your Australian accent. One is to draw out your vowels, especially long vowels, and bend them into multiple vowel sounds. For example, the word “nice” can sound more like "noice" or even "no-ee-cuh". This technique of elongating and blending vowels is key to the Australian accent, and it can take some practice to get the hang of it.
Another technique is to soften or drop certain consonants, particularly "t", "g", and "r". For instance, "t" in the middle of a word might become a softer "d" sound, almost disappearing by the end of the word. The "g" at the end of a word might be dropped, so "writing" becomes "wridin'". The "r" sound at the end of a word might also be dropped, so "matter" becomes "matta". However, sometimes an “r” sound might be added where it doesn't appear in the spelling, as in "no" becoming "naur".
It's worth noting that there isn't just one Australian accent. There are broad, general, and cultivated varieties, and these differ between urban and rural areas. The broad accent is the most recognisable to non-Australians, with a slower pace and longer diphthongs (two vowels combined to form one sound), and it's historically associated with the working class. The general accent is likely the most prevalent today, and the cultivated accent is becoming less common, mostly spoken by older generations.
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End sentences with a question
Australians have a distinctive way of speaking that sets them apart from other English speakers. One notable feature is their use of rising intonation at the end of sentences, which can make statements sound like questions. This phenomenon is known as High Rising Terminal (HRT) or "Australian question intonation" (AQI). While it is commonly associated with Australian speech, HRT is also present in several Irish-English dialects and other non-English languages.
HRT in Australian English is characterised by a rising pitch on the final accented syllable of a statement, giving it a questioning tone. This speech pattern is more common among younger speakers and women, and it has been suggested that it serves to discourage interruptions by indicating that the speaker has not finished their thought. However, HRT has also been negatively portrayed in the media, with some claiming that it makes speakers sound insecure or uncertain.
In addition to HRT, Australians have a tendency to end their sentences with various filler words or phrases such as "but", "hey", "aye", "eh", or "and that". For example, an Australian might say, "He's a bit of a wanker, hey?" or "Na, yeh... he's pretty good on guitar, but". These phrases often serve as a way to seek agreement or confirmation from the listener, similar to ending a sentence with "don't you agree?"
Another unique aspect of Australian English is the use of words like "arvo" for "afternoon" and "convo" for "conversation". Australians are known for their love of shortening words and phrases to create unique slang terms that are understood within their cultural context. This can sometimes lead to confusion for non-Australian speakers who may not be familiar with these shortened forms.
Ending sentences with a question or a rising intonation is a distinctive feature of Australian English that sets it apart from other varieties. While it may carry certain connotations or implications, it is an integral part of the Australian way of speaking and contributes to the rich diversity of the English language across different regions and cultures.
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Use 'heaps'
When speaking like an Australian, it is important to use the word "heaps". The word "heaps" is used all the time in Australian English and is an example of how Australians like to play with language intensifiers. "Heaps" is used to describe a large amount or very much, similar to "lots". For example, you could say "heaps of money", "heaps good", or "heaps of time". The phrase "heaps good" became iconic in South Australia in the mid-2000s, with many people believing it to be unique to the state. However, it is also used in other parts of Australia and in New Zealand.
The Australian language is characterised by a tendency to abbreviate words and add a vowel, often an "o", to the end. For example, "bottle-o" for a bottle shop, "Macca's" for McDonald's, and "footy" for football. This results in some words becoming longer than their original form.
Australian English is also known for its unique accent, where the end of words can become indistinguishable or cut off, and the "g" sound at the end of words is often dropped. For example, "catching" becomes "catchin', and "kicking" becomes "kickin'".
Another tip for speaking like an Australian is to end sentences with a rising inflection, even if it is not a question. This gives the impression of surprise. Additionally, Australians tend to speak more quietly than some other cultures, and do not annunciate as much as Americans.
Finally, Australian slang is full of unique terms and phrases that can be used to improve your Aussie lingo. For example, "cobber" means a very good friend, "coldies" are beers, and "tracky dacks" are sweatpants. So, if you're inviting a mate over for a few coldies, don't forget to tell them to chuck on some tracky dacks!
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Ghost vowels
The Australian accent is characterised by elongated vowels, ghost vowels, and the dropping or softening of certain sounds. One of its most recognisable features is the elongation of vowels, where a long "a" is typically drawn out as "ah-eh-ee".
The Australian accent also involves the dropping of certain letters, such as the “r” sound when it isn't followed by a vowel, leading to words like “car” being pronounced as "cah". The “g” sound at the end of words may also be softened or dropped, resulting in pronunciations like "wridin'" for "writing".
The Australian accent has two primary variations: the “broad" accent and the “general" accent. The broad accent is more drawling and slower, while the general accent is more commonly heard in contemporary Australian media. The broader the Australian accent, the more pronounced the diphthong, which is a combination of two adjacent vowel sounds, such as "oy" in "boy" or "ou" in "cloud". In Australian English, the first sound in a diphthong is often longer than the second, resulting in words like “nice” being pronounced as "noice".
Additionally, Australians tend to abbreviate words and add a vowel to the end, especially "o". For example, “breakfast” becomes "brekkie", “afternoon” becomes "arvo", and “McDonald's” becomes "Maccas".
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Frequently asked questions
Australians greet each other by saying "G'day, mate!".
The Australian accent is characterised by elongated vowels and diphthongs. For example, the word "nice" sounds more like "noice". Broad accents, which are more recognisable to non-Australian English speakers, are associated with a slower speech pattern and a more nasal tone. To speak with an Australian accent, try drawing out your vowels and ending sentences with "but", "as", "hey", or "aye".
Australians use a lot of slang in their everyday conversations. For example, they might say sheila instead of woman, bloke instead of man, or barbie instead of barbeque. They also use the word heaps frequently, which means "very" or "a lot".
