Lexi Webster
Australian English is characterised by its unique accent and extensive use of slang. While the Australian accent may vary based on region and class, there are several techniques that can help you speak English with an Australian twang. For instance, Australians tend to draw out their vowels, so the word nice may sound more like noice. They also add a hard y sound when pronouncing the letter u, so tune becomes tyoon. To blend in with the locals, it's also a good idea to pick up some Aussie slang. So, if you're looking to speak English like an Australian, grab a stubby (a small bottle of beer), get stuck into some bickies (biscuits), and let's get started, mate!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Slang | "G'day, mate!", "How ya going?" (meaning "How are you doing?"), "shrimp" (meaning "prawn"), "barbie" (meaning "BBQ"), "outback", "Fosters" (a beer) |
| Accent | Draw out vowels, bend them into multiple sounds, add a soft "r" to long "o" sounds, flatten unstressed vowels to a "schwa" sound like "uh" or "eh", add a hard "y" sound when pronouncing "u", soften "t" to "d" in the middle of words |
| Tone | Rising inflection at the end of sentences, even if they are not questions |
| Volume | Quieter than Americans |
| Vocabulary | "Heaps" (meaning "very" or "a lot"), "takeaway", "lift" (meaning "elevator"), "chips" (meaning "fries") |
| Stereotypes | Everyone is your "mate", BBQs are ingrained in the culture |
| Tips for learning | Listen to Australians speak and try to copy, watch Australian media, set up a language exchange with an Australian person |
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What You'll Learn
Learn Australian slang
Australian English is full of slang, and Aussies do have a distinct accent. Here are some tips to help you learn Australian slang and sound like a local.
Firstly, it's worth noting that Aussies tend to shorten most words in the English vocabulary. For example, they say "takeaway" instead of "to-go" or "takeout", "chips" instead of "fries", and "lifts" instead of "elevators". They also tend to blend words together, and don't annunciate as much as some other English speakers.
There are some common slang words and phrases that you should learn to help you get by in Australia. "G'day mate" is a typical greeting, and "mate" is a catch-all term for referring to friends or others. "How ya going?" simply means "how are you doing?". "It's my shout" means your friend will be paying for the next round of drinks. "He's blotto" means he's had too many drinks already! "Bogan" is Aussie slang for a redneck. "Dag" is someone who's a bit of a nerd or geek, and "daks" are trousers. "Fair dinkum" means "honestly", and "rack off" means "get lost!".
There are also some pronunciation and intonation tips that will help you sound more Aussie. Aussies tend to end sentences with "but, as, hey, or aye", for example, "The weather is cold, as". They also use a rising inflection at the end of sentences, even if they aren't asking a question. The word "heaps" is used a lot, meaning "very" or "a lot".
To improve your Aussie accent, it's a good idea to watch Australian media and try to copy the way they talk. You can also try setting up a language exchange with an Australian person.
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Draw out vowels
When speaking with an Australian accent, it is important to draw out your vowels. This means that instead of saying a word like "nice" in a short, clipped way, you would draw out the "i" so that it sounds more like "noice". This technique of “chewing” your vowels is due to the way sound moves around your mouth.
In general, Australians tend to draw out all vowel sounds more than other English speakers. For example, the word "mate" will have a long "i" sound at the end, so it sounds more like "might".
Another example of drawing out vowels is adding a soft "r" to the end of a long "o" sound. This is very difficult for non-Australians to get right, but if you do, you will sound Australian. The English long "o" sound is blended with the "uh" of a short "u" and an “r” at the end, as in the word "oar".
Additionally, when pronouncing the letter "u", almost always add a hard "y" sound. For example, "tune" is pronounced like "tyoon" with the "y" sound. Not pronouncing the "y" sound is known as "yod-dropping", which is rare in Australian English.
Finally, a broad Australian accent, associated with rural locations, is more of a drawl with a slower speech pattern and longer diphthongs. This is the accent most recognisable to non-Australian English speakers. It is also important to note that the cultivated Australian accent, which is associated with higher education, has been fading out of use. To learn to speak like an Australian, it is recommended to listen to Australians speak and try to copy it.
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End sentences with rising inflection
When speaking English like an Australian, it is common to end sentences with a rising inflection, even if the sentence is not a question. This means that your voice should rise at the end of the sentence, as though you are a little surprised. This is known as "upspeak", "uptalk", "high rising terminal" (HRT), or "high rising intonation" (HRI).
HRT is a feature of some variants of English, including Australian English, where declarative sentences can end with a rising pitch, similar to that found in yes-no questions. For example, an Australian might say "The weather is cold, hey?" with a rising intonation at the end of the sentence.
HRT has been claimed to be more common among younger speakers and women, although its exact sociolinguistic implications are still being researched. Some have suggested that HRT can make women sound less assertive and more friendly, while others have argued that it can make women sound less authoritative.
If you want to speak English with an Australian accent, it can be helpful to watch Australian media and try to mimic the way they talk. You can also find YouTube videos that explain how to do an Aussie accent. Additionally, you can try setting up a language exchange with an Australian person or using apps like Tandem or Discord.
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Speak quietly
When it comes to speaking English like an Australian, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, Australians tend to draw out their vowels, making them longer and more stretched out compared to other English speakers. For example, the word "nice" can sound more like "noice". This is sometimes referred to as "chewing" your vowels. Additionally, any unstressed vowel will usually become a "schwa" sound, like "uh" or "eh". This can result in words like "Rosa's" sounding similar to "roses".
Another key characteristic of the Australian accent is the lack of yod-dropping. In other words, when pronouncing a "u", you should add a hard "y" sound, as in the word "music". So, a word like "tune" would sound more like "tyoon". Furthermore, Australians tend to soften a "t" to a "d" sound in the middle of words. For instance, the word "water" may sound more like "wader".
It's worth noting that there are different types of Australian accents. The broad accent, associated with rural areas, is the most recognizable to non-Australian English speakers due to its use in the media. It tends to be slower, with longer diphthongs and a more nasal tone. The cultivated accent, on the other hand, adopts more British pronunciations and is associated with higher education levels.
To speak English quietly like an Australian, it's important to remember that Aussies generally speak more quietly than some other nationalities as a matter of common courtesy. So, when adopting an Australian accent, avoid raising your voice unless it's necessary. Additionally, Australians tend to blend their words together, so you can mumble or slur your words slightly to achieve a more quiet and relaxed delivery.
To master the art of speaking quietly with an Australian accent, it's recommended to listen to and mimic how native Australians speak. You can find Australian media, YouTube videos, or podcasts that can help you with pronunciation and intonation. Remember, the Australian language is often described as lazy, with sentences flowing together and words sometimes cut off or indistinguishable. So, embrace that laid-back attitude and don't be afraid to let your words melt together a little!
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Use a soft 't'
When it comes to speaking English with an Australian accent, softening the "t" to a "d" is a key characteristic. This softened "t" typically occurs in the middle of words. For instance, the word “matter” may sound more like "madder" when spoken by an Australian. This softening of the "t" sound is a notable feature of Australian English and can help you sound more like a native speaker.
To master the softened "t", it's important to pay attention to the placement of the letter in a word. While Australians generally produce a similar "t" sound as other English speakers at the beginning of words, the "t" tends to soften as it moves towards the middle. This results in a near-disappearance of the "t" sound towards the end of the word. Therefore, practicing words with "t" in the middle or end is crucial.
You can start by choosing words that have "t" in the middle or end and intentionally softening the "t" sound. For example, try saying "writing" as "wridin'" or "better" as "beddah". Focus on the "t" in these words and consciously soften it to achieve the desired effect. Additionally, you can explore words with "tt" in the middle, such as "better" or "latter," and soften the first "t" while slightly emphasizing the second one. This will help create a more natural-sounding Australian accent.
Another aspect to consider is the context in which the "t" appears. Sometimes, the "t" sound may be softened or even replaced with a glottal stop, especially when it occurs before certain vowels. For example, the word "little" may sound like "li'l" or "li'o," with the "t" being replaced by a brief pause or a slight catch in the throat. This phenomenon is known as t-glottaling or t-glottalization and is commonly associated with Australian English.
Practicing these "t" pronunciations in sentences will help you master the Australian accent more effectively. For instance, you could try saying, "That's bettah than I expected," or "I'm hea'ding o'er to the shop." By incorporating the softened "t" into your everyday speech, you'll be one step closer to sounding like a true Aussie. Remember to pay attention to the placement of "t" within words and adjust your pronunciation accordingly.
Lastly, it's worth noting that the softened "t" may vary across different regions in Australia. While it is a prominent feature of the Australian accent, there can be subtle differences in how it is realized in different parts of the country. Therefore, you may want to explore specific regional variations to fine-tune your Australian English skills even further.
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