Leslie Massey
Australian English is a unique dialect with many distinctive features. It is the de facto national language of Australia, with 72% of Australians speaking it at home in 2021. Australian English has been influenced by Aboriginal languages, as well as Irish, Chinese, Italian, German, French, African, and various other sources. It is similar to British English in spelling and sentence construction, but differs in accent and vocabulary. Australian English also shares some similarities with American English, such as the use of certain nouns and number pronunciations. The dialect is known for its extensive use of abbreviations and diminutives, with over 4300 recorded diminutives according to Australian Geographic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Spelling | "Colour" instead of "color", "program" instead of "programme", "inquire" instead of "enquire", "realise" instead of "realize" |
| Pronunciation | Affixes -ary, -ery, -ory, -bury, -berry and -mony pronounced with a full vowel or a schwa |
| Vocabulary | "Barbie" for "barbeque", "thongs" for "flip flops", "bathers" for "swimwear", "capsicum" for "sweet peppers", mate for "friend", "dead horse" for "ketchup", outback for remote, sparsely populated area, bush for "native forest" or "country area", "fair dinkum" for "true", strewth as an exclamation of surprise, drongo for "idiot", hard yakka for "hard work", git for "foolish person", juicy bits for small pieces of "fruit residue", crikey as an exclamation of surprise |
| Idioms | "A drop in the ocean" instead of "a drop in the bucket", "a way to go" instead of "a ways to go", "home away from home" instead of "home from home", "take (something) with a grain of salt" instead of "take with a pinch of salt", "touch wood" instead of "knock on wood", "wouldn't touch (something) with a ten-foot pole" instead of "wouldn't touch with a barge pole" |
| Accent | Upwards inflection at the end of sentences, complex diphthongs, nasal drone pronunciation, slower speech, pervasive nasality, longer diphthongs |
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What You'll Learn
Unique vocabulary
Australian English has a distinct vocabulary that sets it apart from other forms of English. It is heavily influenced by Aboriginal languages, with words like "kangaroo" and "dingo" originating from indigenous languages. The upwards inflection at the end of sentences, the use of complex diphthongs, and the nasal drone pronunciation are also likely influenced by Aboriginal languages.
Australian English also has a penchant for abbreviation and diminutives, with over 4300 recorded diminutives according to Australian Geographic. For example, "barbie" means "barbeque", "thongs" refer to flip flops, and "bathers" mean swimwear. The language also exhibits a mix of British and American English spellings, with some unique exceptions. For instance, "colour" is spelled with a 'u' in Australian English, but the country's Labor Party is spelled with an 'o', as in "American English".
Australian English also has a range of unique idioms and slang terms. For example, "fair dinkum" means "true" or "genuine", "strewth" is used to express surprise, and "G'day" is a common greeting. The language also includes terms like "outback" for remote, sparsely populated areas, and "the bush" for native forests or country areas.
The variety of Australian English can be categorized into three main types: general, broad, and cultivated. Broad Australian English, prevalent in rural areas and spoken by former Prime Ministers like Julia Gillard, has distinctive features like slower speech, pervasive nasality, and longer diphthongs. Cultivated Australian English, on the other hand, has historically been associated with higher social class or education. General Australian English is the most common accent, prominent in urban areas and used in media.
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Aboriginal language influence
Aboriginal languages have had a significant influence on Australian English, shaping its vocabulary, accent, and unique characteristics. At the time of white settlement, it is estimated that there were around 250 distinct Aboriginal languages and around 600-800 overlapping varieties across the Australian continent. Today, many of these languages are extinct or endangered, but they continue to leave a lasting impact on the English language as it is spoken in Australia.
One of the most noticeable influences of Aboriginal languages on Australian English is in the vocabulary used to describe flora and fauna. Words such as 'kangaroo', 'wallaby', and 'dingo' are all thought to be of indigenous origin. In addition, Aboriginal languages have contributed to place names across Australia, with settlements like Woolloomooloo, Boolading, Jindalee, and the Carbunup River bearing indigenous names.
The grammatical structures and pronunciation of Aboriginal languages have also left their mark on Australian English. The upwards inflection at the end of sentences, considered typically Australian, is likely influenced by Aboriginal languages. Additionally, the use of complex diphthongs and the nasal drone pronunciation are thought to have Aboriginal influences. Aboriginal English also has its own unique features, such as the use of reciprocal address, where certain terms like "granny" can be used interchangeably between family members.
Aboriginal English varies in intensity, with light varieties spoken by most Aboriginal Australians and heavier varieties that are closer to Kriol, a creole language from northern Australia. Aboriginal English speakers often sprinkle their speech with words from original Aboriginal languages, such as "boya" (money) and "boodjar" (country) in the Nyungar community. These borrowed words give Aboriginal English its distinct flavour and help to preserve the indigenous languages that shaped them.
The preservation and revitalisation of Aboriginal languages are of utmost importance, and there are ongoing efforts across Australia to maintain and promote their diversity. Aboriginal languages are deeply connected to culture, identity, and history, and their continued use is essential for intergenerational transmission and the well-being of Indigenous communities.
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Informal tone
So, you want to know what makes Aussie English so bloody unique, eh? Well, grab a cuppa and I'll fill you in.
First off, Aussie English has its own fair dinkum vocabulary and idioms that you won't find anywhere else. For example, if you're heading into the outback, you'll want to pack some thongs (not that kind, ya drongo—we mean flip-flops!) and a pair of bathers (swimmers, to the uninitiated). And if you're feeling a bit crook, you might head to the chemist for some Panadol before hitting the hay.
Now, when it comes to pronunciation, Aussie English has a few tricks up its sleeve. We tend to drop the 'r' sound after a vowel, so 'card' becomes 'caad'. And those long, drawn-out diphthongs? They're thanks to the influence of Aboriginal languages, which have also given us some unique words and phrases like 'dead horse' (a.k.a. ketchup) and 'hard yakka' (hard work).
But it's not just about the words we use; it's also about how we use 'em. Aussie English is big on abbreviations—we're a laid-back bunch, after all. So, instead of saying 'barbeque', we'll say 'barbie', and 'G'day' is a perfectly acceptable greeting (just maybe not at a job interview). And if you're looking for a mate to hang with, you might hear us ask, "Want to come for a drink after work?" as a way to say "I like you and want to spend more time with you."
Now, one thing to keep in mind is that Aussie English isn't just one size fits all. There are a few different accents and varieties floating around. You've got your Broad Aussie (think Steve Irwin and Paul Hogan), your General Aussie (think Hugh Jackman and Chris Hemsworth), and your Cultivated Aussie (a bit more posh, like). But no matter which way you slice it, Aussie English is its own unique blend, with influences from British, American, Irish, Chinese, and Aboriginal languages all coming together to create something special.
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Idioms and figurative speech
Australian English is full of colourful expressions, idioms, and figurative speech that can bewilder outsiders. The use of slang and shortened words in Australian English gives it a unique and laid-back feel. It is also used to lighten the tone of a conversation and create a sense of camaraderie.
- "Hard yakka" refers to hard work, especially manual labour. The term "yakka" or "yaga" (meaning "to work") originates from the Yagara language of the Brisbane region and was first used in the 1840s.
- "Hip-pocket nerve" refers to a figurative nerve that reacts when financial demands are put on someone, especially regarding tax increases. The phrase was popularised by Prime Minister Ben Chifley in the 1940s.
- "Full up to dolly's wax" means being full of food or satiated. This phrase is a bit old-fashioned and originates from the time when dolls had wax heads connected to cloth bodies.
- "Fair suck of the sauce bottle" means to be given a fair chance or to keep calm and be rational. It is one of the many variations of the Australian saying "fair go", reflecting a sense of unfairness.
- "To put the acid on" someone means to exert pressure on them or to pressure them for a favour. This idiom emerged in the early 20th century and is derived from the "acid test", a test for gold or precious metals using nitric acid.
- "Budgie smugglers" is a jocular term for Speedos or tight-fitting men's swimwear. It alludes to the appearance of the garment and is derived from "budgerigar", a small parrot common in Australia.
Additionally, Australian English has a tendency to abbreviate words, such as "footy" for football and "telly" for television. Swear words are also commonly used and integrated into everyday speech.
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Spelling and sentence construction
Australian English is a unique dialect with distinctive features, influenced by Aboriginal languages, as well as Irish, Chinese, and various other Aboriginal languages. It is relatively homogeneous when compared to British and American English. The major varieties are sociocultural rather than regional, and can be categorised into three main types: general, broad, and cultivated.
Broad Australian English is prevalent nationwide, especially in rural areas. This dialect is instantly recognisable to English speakers around the world. It is characterised by a slower pace of speech, a restricted pitch range, and pervasive nasality. Speakers of Broad Australian English are rated higher in terms of humorousness and talkativity.
General Australian English is the most common accent, especially in urban areas. It is used as the standard language in Australian films, television programmes, and advertising. Cultivated Australian English has historically been associated with high social class or education. This variety is perceived as more intelligent, competent, reliable, honest, and prestigious.
In terms of spelling, Australian English most closely resembles British English. For example, the 'u' is retained in words like 'colour', and words typically end in 'ise' instead of the Americanised 'ize' suffix (e.g. 'realise' instead of 'realize'). However, there are exceptions to this rule. The British English spelling of 'labour' is most common, but the Australian Labor Party uses the Americanised spelling without the 'u'. Additionally, Australia uses the American spelling for certain words, such as 'program' instead of 'programme' and 'inquire' instead of 'enquire'.
When dealing with collective nouns, Australian English aligns with American English. Both Australians and Americans would say "the football team has scored a goal", whereas in British English, the plural form "have" is used. Australian English also tends to follow American English in the pronunciation of numbers like 1,100, which is typically spoken as "eleven hundred" instead of "one thousand, one hundred".
Australian English is known for its extensive use of abbreviations and diminutives, with over 4,300 recorded diminutives according to Australian Geographic. This tendency towards abbreviation may be influenced by the smooth, vowel-heavy words of Aboriginal languages. Examples of common abbreviations include "barbie" for "barbeque", "arvo" for "afternoon", and "mozzie" for "mosquito".
Australian English also has a unique vocabulary with many idioms and slang terms. Well-known examples include "outback", referring to a remote, sparsely populated area, "the bush", meaning a native forest or country area, and "g'day", a general greeting. "Dinkum" or "fair dinkum" means "true", "legitimate", or "is that true?", depending on context and inflection.
Australian English has developed its own terms for flora and fauna, such as "kangaroo" and "dingo", and unique Australian words like "cobber" (friend), "battler" (a worthy person struggling to survive), and "bludger" (someone who lives off others' work).
In terms of sentence construction, Australian English is said to be a non-rhotic variation, meaning the /r/ sound is often dropped if it is after a vowel and not followed by another vowel. For example, the word 'card' may be pronounced as 'caːd'. Additionally, the ending of words like 'better' and 'wetter' may be lowered to sound like 'ah', resulting in pronunciations like 'bett-ah' and 'wett-ah'.
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Frequently asked questions
Some internationally well-known Australian phrases include "outback", "the bush", and "g'day". Other unique words and phrases include "dinky-di" (meaning "true" or devoted), "strewth" (an exclamation of surprise), "drongo" (meaning idiot or loser), "dead horse" (slang for ketchup), "cobber" (meaning friend), and "bludger" (someone who lives off the work of others).
Australian English is relatively homogeneous when compared with British and American English. However, there are some differences in spelling, pronunciation, and vocabulary. For example, Australian English retains the 'u' in words like 'colour' and uses programme instead of program. In terms of pronunciation, Australian English is non-rhotic, meaning the /r/ sound is not pronounced if it is after a vowel and not followed by another vowel. Australian English also has a unique accent, with an upwards inflection at the end of sentences, which is thought to be influenced by Aboriginal languages.
Australian English has a large number of abbreviations and diminutives, with over 4300 recorded diminutives according to Australian Geographic. It also has a unique vocabulary, with words like "barbie" for "barbeque" and "bathers" for swimwear. Australian English also includes Aboriginal words like "kangaroo" and "dingo".
Australian English began to diverge from British and Hiberno-English after the establishment of the Colony of New South Wales in 1788. It has been influenced by a variety of languages, including Irish, Chinese, and various Aboriginal languages. In the past, elocution lessons were popular in Australia, and some Australians tried to sound more British. However, by the 1950s, it became more socially acceptable to sound Australian, and a more common agreement on Australian English emerged. Today, Australian English continues to evolve and is influenced by new immigrant communities, particularly from Asia.
