Lexi Webster
The Australian accent is notoriously hard to imitate, yet many people try to sound Australian. Some people try to imitate the Australian accent because they are actors taking on a role that requires an Australian accent. Others might imitate the accent to fit in after moving to Australia. Additionally, some people might unconsciously pick up the Australian accent and start to sound more Australian without actively trying to imitate it. There are also those who try to imitate the Australian accent because they like the way it sounds or want to use Australian slang. However, Australians have a strong suspicion of expatriates who change their accents, seeing it as a sign of shifting class and status and an indication of a sense of superiority.
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What You'll Learn
- Australian English has been influenced by American English since the Second World War
- Australians use upward inflections, making sentences sound like questions and lending an air of mystery
- Australian English is full of slang
- The Australian accent is similar to a light cockney accent
- Australians don't annunciate like Americans
Australian English has been influenced by American English since the Second World War
During World War II, an influx of American military personnel settled in Australia and New Zealand, introducing American words and phrases into the local dialect. For example, the use of the words "okay" and "guys" in Australia can be traced back to the presence of American soldiers during the war. This period also saw the widespread adoption of previously existing Americanisms, such as "bushwhacker" and "squatter".
American influence on Australian English continued in the post-war years, with the popularity of American films in the early 20th century further exposing Australians to American language and culture. Additionally, what are now considered American spellings were popular in Australia throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with some institutions continuing to endorse them into the 1970s and beyond.
While speakers of Australian English often view American English as a threat to their linguistic heritage, research suggests that Americanisation of Australian English has not been extensive. Australian English has its own unique features, such as the "high-rising terminal" or "Australian Question Intonation," which sets it apart from other varieties of English.
Australian English has also been influenced by the dialects of early settlers from various regions of Great Britain and Ireland, particularly South East England. The native-born colonists' speech became noticeably distinct from that of Britain and Ireland by the 1820s. Australian English has since evolved into a relatively consistent variety of English across the continent, with "General Australian" being the de facto standard dialect.
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Australians use upward inflections, making sentences sound like questions and lending an air of mystery
Australians are known for their use of upward inflections at the end of sentences, also known as the "high-rising terminal" or the "Australian Question Intonation" (AQI). This unique feature of Australian speech gives statements a question-like quality and has been associated with both insecurity and power dynamics.
The AQI has been interpreted in various ways, with 85% of UK managers in a Pearson survey considering it a sign of "insecurity or emotional weakness". However, studies suggest that the AQI is often used by people in positions of power when addressing subordinates, which may explain why Australians use it when speaking to Britons. This inflection can serve as an implicit request for confirmation or understanding, making it a useful tool in communication.
The upward inflection is particularly intriguing as it lends an air of mystery to the speaker. This may be one reason why people, especially Britons, are drawn to imitate the Australian accent. By adopting the AQI, Britons can maintain a level of sophistication that Americans may perceive as English while adding an intriguing twist.
It's worth noting that the Australian accent, including the AQI, has been influenced by various factors. The Australian accent, as it is today, has been influenced by American soldiers during World War II, American television, and music since the 1950s. Additionally, the relative isolation of the Australian population along the coast may have contributed to the uniformity of the accent across the country, setting it apart from the diverse accents found in Britain and America.
While some may attempt to imitate the Australian accent, it's important to remember that it is much more than just upward inflections. The accent is characterised by unique pronunciations, such as the transformation of "No" into "nar" and the dropping of "t"s, as well as a blend of slang and trigger words like "heaps" and "mate". Overall, the Australian accent, with its upward inflections, continues to capture the imagination of people worldwide.
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Australian English is full of slang
The use of slang in Australian English extends beyond words and includes unique phrases and expressions. For example, Australians might say, "he's a stubbie short of a six pack" to describe someone who isn't very bright. They might also say, "I'm feeling as crook as Rookwood", meaning they're feeling unwell and should see a doctor.
Australian slang also includes a lot of abbreviations and acronyms. For example, "esky" refers to an insulated food and drink container for picnics or barbecues, and "AQI" stands for "Australian Question Intonation", which is the upward inflection often heard at the end of Australians' sentences. This AQI, or "high-rising terminal", gives statements a question-like lilt and is used by Australians when talking to Britons.
The use of slang in Australian English is so prevalent that universities provide slang dictionaries and guides to help international students understand the local lingo. These guides are often necessary, as Australian slang is rarely found in dictionaries, and even native English speakers may struggle to understand everyday Australian conversations without them.
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The Australian accent is similar to a light cockney accent
The Australian accent is often thought to be influenced by the Cockney accent, specifically the dialect spoken in the East End of London. However, it is important to note that the Australian accent is not identical to Cockney but is instead a fusion of various accents and dialects from across the UK and Ireland. During the early settlement of Australia, people from diverse regions, including Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, and the Midlands, had to adjust their speech and accommodate each other's ways of speaking, leading to the evolution of a unique Australian accent.
Over time, the Australian accent has continued to evolve and broaden, incorporating influences from Irish prisoners and immigrants, Chinese immigrants, European immigrants after the World Wars, and more recently, speakers from the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, and Africa. This has resulted in a diverse range of Australian accents, including the Indigenous Australian accent and the ethnic Australian accent heard in Sydney's western suburbs.
When comparing the Australian accent to Cockney, it is worth noting that the Australian accent lacks the rhotic R characteristic of American and Scottish English. Instead, it is non-rhotic, similar to the accent of Hertfordshire, a county northeast of London. The Australian accent is also known for its softened middle T's and softened or dropped R at the end of words, as well as prolonged vowels in certain contexts.
While the Australian accent may share some similarities with a light Cockney accent, it has developed its own distinct characteristics and continues to evolve, reflecting the diverse cultural and linguistic influences that have shaped Australia's history and society. The upward inflection at the end of sentences, often referred to as the "Australian Question Intonation" or AQI, is another notable feature of the Australian accent that lends an air of mystery and sophistication to the speaker.
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Australians don't annunciate like Americans
Australians and Americans have different accents and ways of annunciating. Australians are known for their upward inflection at the ends of sentences, known as the "high-rising terminal" or the "Australian Question Intonation" (AQI). This makes statements sound like questions and is often used by powerful people when speaking to their subordinates. In contrast, American English resonance is in the middle of the mouth, with most sounds occurring there, such as the word "cat" or "ten". On the other hand, Australian resonance is created in a different part of the mouth, with the tip of the tongue.
The Australian accent is also influenced by the country's strong slang culture, which can make it sound ear-aching, loud, twangy, and unsophisticated to some. However, the Australian accent is not uniform across the country, with variations in pronunciation and slang usage between regions. For example, the Newcastle accent is considered softer compared to stronger accents in other parts of Australia.
When non-native speakers attempt to speak with an Australian accent, they often focus on the upward inflection and the unique pronunciation of certain words. This can be challenging, as the Australian accent differs from both British and American English in terms of pronunciation and slang.
While some may perceive the Australian accent as insecure or emotional, it is important to recognize that accents are influenced by a variety of factors, including regional variations, cultural influences, and individual speech habits. Attempting to mimic an Australian accent without understanding these nuances can lead to an inaccurate or exaggerated portrayal.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian accents are often associated with friendliness and positivity, which can be appealing to people from other countries. Additionally, Australian English is full of slang and has a unique intonation that some may find intriguing or fun to imitate.
It depends on the context and how it is done. As with any accent or language, imitation can be offensive if it is done in a mocking or disrespectful way. However, if someone is genuinely trying to learn or adopt the Australian accent out of interest or for a specific purpose (such as acting), it is generally not considered offensive.
There are several characteristics of the Australian accent that you can try to incorporate into your speech. These include elongating diphthongs and vowels, adding an intrusive "r" to some words, using slang, and adopting an upward inflection at the end of sentences (known as the Australian Question Intonation).
Yes, many actors have taken on Australian accents for their roles. While it is difficult to generalize, some notable examples include Nicole Kidman, who was born in the US but raised in Australia, and Margot Robbie, who is a native Australian.
British people first settled in Australia in 1788 and brought various English dialects with them, which formed the basis of Australian English. Both accents also share similarities due to the influence of American English and popular culture. Over time, however, the Australian accent has evolved and diverged from British accents, developing its unique characteristics.
