Australian English: main characteristics
Content
Introduction
I. Australian English. Main characteristics
1.1 History and origins
1.2 Words of Australian Aboriginal origin
1.3 Australian Spelling
1.4 Australian Language Peculiarities
1.5 Australian to English languages comparison
II. Australian slang
2.1 The colloquialism
Colloquialisms in dictionaries and language guides
The Australian idiom
Substitutions, abbreviations and comparisons
Convict sources
Aboriginal languages
Gentle Insults
Perverse reversals
Nicknames describing Australian States
Lost phrases
III. Australian English in different fields
3.1 Food and drink
Beer glasses
Sport
Cricket
Football
3.2 Vehicles
Work vehicles
Police vehicles
3.3 Military slang
3.4 Rhyming slang
Conclusion
Literature
Introduction
The urgency of conducted analysis is proven by the fact that all types of English language have their own peculiarities which are always difficult to get. The same is true for the Australian English. That is especially takes place and is important for people who have to spend some time in Australia, because even if they know English on a good level they can be very confused by lots of words and expressions Australians often use in their everyday speech. Their history, people, life became the reasons of their language peculiarities. A lot of researches were conducted to examine Australian way of speech and slang., the purpose of conducting this yearly project consists in the determination of such peculiarities and main features of Australian English from different points of view (history, origin, spoken language, slang and so on). According to this purpose the main task of this degree includes carrying out of Australian English analysis using information about Australian speech in different fields.compliance with specified purpose and main task of the research the following tasks were set in this project:
.Firstly, to examine Australian English itself, its peculiarities, history, origin, aboriginal influence, spelling and so on. To determine difference between men and women speech in Australia.
2.Secondly, to examine Australian slang including information about colloquialism, history and ways of Australian spoken speech, Australian slang dictionary.
.Thirdly, to trace Australian speech peculiarities in different life spheres: sport, food, vehicles, etc.
To accomplish these tasks three clauses were written. The first clause includes the information concerning definition of Australian English, its peculiarities, Aboriginal English, Australian spelling, Australian language and English comparison and so on. The second clause of this project contains the information about Australian slang, its features and history, including Australian slang dictionary. The third clause is dedicated to the Australian speech in different life spheres.literature including works of famous English specialists in analyzed field () and online sources of information was used as methodological and theoretical data base for writing of this project.
Structurally the project consists of the introduction, three clauses, conclusion and list of information sources.
I. Australian English. Main characteristics
Spoken Australian English is thought to be highly colloquial, possibly more so than other spoken variants. Whether this idea is true or not, a substantial number of publications aimed at giving an overview of Australian English have been published.books about Australian lore have been published, beginning with Karl Lentzners Dictionary of the Slang-English of Australia and of Some Mixed Languages in 1892. The first dictionary of based on historical principles that covered Australian English was E. E. Morriss Austral English: A Dictionary of Australasian Words, Phrases and Usages (1898).a long period of uninterest and/or antipathy, the first synchronic dictionaries of Australian English began to appear. In 1976, the Australian Pocket Oxford Dictionary was published, the first dictionary edited and published in Australia. In 1981, the more comprehensive Macquarie Dictionary of Australian English was published, after 10 years of research and planning. Updated editions have been published since and the Macquarie Dictionary is widely regarded as authoritative. Oxford University Press also publishes a range of dictionaries of Australian English, including the Oxford Dictionary of Australian English.publishers have also produced phrase books" to assist visitors. These books reflect a highly exaggerated and often outdated style of Australian colloquialisms and they should partially be regarded as amusements rather than accurate usage guides.
1.1 History and origins
Australian English incorporates many terms that Australians consider to be unique to their country. One of the best-known of these is outback which means a remote, sparsely-populated area. Many such words, phrases or usages originated with British and Irish convicts transported to Australia in 1788-1868. And many words which are still used frequently by rural Australians are also used in all or part of England, with variations in meaning. For example:
·a creek in Australia (as in North America), is any stream or small river, whereas in England it is a small watercourse flowing into the sea;
·paddock is the Australian word for field, while in England it is a small enclosure for livestock;
·bush (as in North America) or scrub mean wooded areas" or country areas in general" in Australia, while in England, they are commonly used only in proper names (such as Shepherds Bush and Wormwood Scrubs).
Australian English and several British English dialects (eg. Cockney, Scouse, Geordie) use the word mate to mean a close friend of the same gender (or sometimes a platonic friend of the opposite sex), rather than the conventional meaning of a spouse, although this usage has also become common in some other varieties of English.origins of other terms are not as clear, or are disputed. Dinkum or fair dinkum means true, the truth, speaking the truth, and related meanings, depending on context and inflection. It is often claimed that dinkum was derived from the Cantonese (or Hokkien) ding kam, meaning top gold, during the Australian goldrushes of the 1850s. This, however, is chronologically improbable since dinkum is first recorded in the 1890s. Scholars give greater credence to the notion that it originated with a now-extinct dialect word from the East Midlands in England, where dinkum (or dincum) meant hard work or fair work, which was also the original meaning in Australian English. The derivation dinky-di means a true" or devoted Australian. The words dinkum or dinky-di and phrases like true blue are widely purported to be typical Australian sayings, however these sayings are more commonly used in jest or parody rather than as an authentic way of speaking.
australian english language
Similarly, gday, a stereotypical Australian greeting, is no longer synonymous with good day" in other varieties of English (it can be used at night time) and is never used as an expression for farewell, as good day" is in other countries.
Sheila, Australian slang for woman, is derived from the Irish girls name Síle.
1.2 Words of Australian Aboriginal origin
Some elements of Aboriginal languages have been incorporated into Australian English, mainly as names for places, flora and fauna (for example, dingo, kangaroo). Beyond that, few terms have been adopted into the wider language, except for some localised terms, or slang. Some examples are cooee and Hard yakka. The former is a high-pitched call (pronounced /kʉː. iː/) which travels long distances and is used to attract attention. Cooee has also become a notional distance: if he's within cooee, we'll spot him. Hard yakka means hard work and is derived from yakka, from the Yagara/Jagara language once spoken in the Brisbane region. Also from the Brisbane region comes the word bung meaning broken. A failed piece of equipment might be described as having bunged up or referred to as on the bung or gone bung. Bung is also used to describe an individual who is pretending to be hurt; such individual is said to be bunging it on. In Western Australia the Nyoongah word Winyarn, meaning poor" or sick" or is used similarly, especially among young people, in a similar sense to the more common piss weak. The final syllable is extended to denote intensity, and may be followed by unna, a Nyoongar word translatable loosely as isnt it, or arent you?".often thought of as an Aboriginal word, didgeridoo (a well known wooden ceremonial musical instrument) is probably an onomatopaoeic word of Western invention. It has also been suggested that it may have an Irish derivation. use a variety of colourful terms to refer to people. These terms may indicate such things as the persons ethnicity, the place where the person resides, the social status of the person, the persons behaviour, etc. Many of these words occur in other English dialects, especially New Zealand English, whilst others are unique to Australian English.
Its also interesting to consider system of kin names in Australian Aboriginal English. Words referring to ones relatives are used in different senses to Standard English, reflecting traditional Australian kinship systems:
·aunty and uncle are used as terms of address for older people, to whom the speaker may not be related;
·brother and sister include close relatives of the same generation, not just siblings;
·cousin includes any relative of ones own generation;
·the combinations cousin-brother and cousin-sister are used to refer to biological cousins;
·in south-east Queensland, daughter is used to refer to any woman of ones great-grandparents generation; this is due to the cyclical nature of traditional kinship systems;
·father and mother include any relative of ones parents generation, such as uncles, aunts, and in-laws;
·grandfather and grandmother can refer to anyone of ones grandparents generation (grandfather can also refer to any respected elderly man, to whom the speaker may not be related);
·poison refers to a relation one is obligated to avoid;
·the term second, or little bit in northern Australia, is used with a distant relative who is described using a close kinship term. For example, ones second fathers or little bit fathers are men of ones fathers generation not closely related to the speaker. It is contrasted with close, near or true.
·A skin or skin group are sections which are determined by the skin of a persons parents, and determine who a person is eligible to marry.
·Son can refer to any male of the next generation, such as nephews.
1.3 Australian Spelling
Australian spelling is usually the same as British spelling, with only a few exceptions. The Macquarie Dictionary is generally used by publishers, schools, universities and governments as the standard spelling reference. Well-known differences to British spelling include:
·program is more common than programme
·jail is prevalent, gaol is generally still used in official contexts
There is a widely-held belief in Australia that controversies over spelling result from the Americanisation of Australian English; the influence of American English in the late 20th century, but the debate over spelling is much older. For example, a pamphlet entitled The So-Called American Spelling, published in Sydney some time before 1901, argued that there is no valid etymological reason for the preservation of the u in such words as honor, labor, etc. , alluding to older British spellings which also used the - or ending. The pamphlet also claimed that the tendency of people in Australasia is to excise the u, and one of the Sydney morning papers habitually does this, while the other generally follows the older form. The Australian Labor Party retains the - or ending it officially adopted in 1912. However, while many Australian newspapers did formerly excise the u, in words like colour, this is no longer the case. The town of Victor Harbor has the Victor Harbour Railway Station and the municipalitys official website speculates that excising the u from the towns name was originally a spelling error. This continues to cause confusion in how the town is named in official and unofficial documents.
1.4 Australian Language Peculiarities
1.5 Australian to English languages comparison
As well as being distinguished in pronunciation, the Australian version of English is also differentiated in regards to function and usage. One difference is in regards to informality. In America and England, the use of informal English is often interpreted as a sign of rudeness. Consequently, titles and family names are used to maintain a degree of social distance between people. In Australia, however, formality is more typically used by professional that dont like each other. The difference is most clearly seen in greetings used in business letters. Whereas Americans usually greet with Dear Ms/Mrs/Mr (family name), Australians are more like Dear (first name.) Likewise, boss and workers get on first name basis far more quickly than they do in other English speaking countries.American strain of the English language is simple and easily understood by most English speakers the world over. Its simplicity can be traced to the countrys puritan foundations. As religious fanatics wanting to expand their flock, puritans desired a language of persuasion. To ensure clarity, they used generic words that were understood by the majority of the population. To increase the persuasive power of their words, they used a lot of analogies.to America, the foundations of Australian English were in the prison system. Unlike puritans, convicts did not want a simple language to persuade others to unite behind them. To the contrary, convicts wanted to disguise their language so that no one would know what they were talking about.a legacy, the contemporary Australian dialect, or Strine, is littered with idioms, similes and invented words that make it one of the worlds most advanced English dialects. Although speakers of American English struggle to understand English speakers from outside of America, speakers of Strine can understand everyone, or confuse everyone if they so desire.words have always had a very prominent use in Australian English. For example, Australias unofficial national anthem, Waltzing Matilda, uses Aboriginal words like coolibah, jumbuck and billabong. Likewise, most of rural Australia has been given Aboriginal names like Wagga Wagga, Joondalup, Bondi, Yakadanda.the lazy way that Australians are perceived to speak is a result of using the Aboriginal words. The Aboriginal words generally end with a vowel sound, which is quite smooth and pleasant on the ear. It is possible that the use of the diminuitive, such as shortening words like journalist to journo, was a way of smoothing over the rough edges of British English in order to gain more consistency with the smoother Aboriginal English.
II. Australian slang
Table of Australian slang words and expressions is represented below. The table 1 includes only some part of numerous slang words used in Australian English nowadays.
Table 1. Australian slang expressions.
Ace! excellent! Ankle bitersmall childAvosavocadosBack of Bourkea very long way awayBikkiebiscuitBillyteapot; container for boiling water. Boomera large male kangarooBrekkiebreakfastBrumbya wild horseCactusdead, not functioningCook (noun) one's wifeCut lunchsandwichesDakstrousersDead horsetomato sauceDurrytobacco, cigaretteExyexpensiveFair dinkumtrue, genuineFossicksearch, rummageG'DayhelloGive it a burltry it, have a goGood oiluseful information, a good idea, the truthGrousegreat, terrific, very goodHooroo goodbyeJoeybaby kangarooJournojournalistKerokeroseneKnockto criticiseLippylipstickLolliessweets, candyMickey Mouseexcellent, very goodMoolahmoneyMozziemosquitoNo dramasame as no worriesOffsideran assistant, helperOldiesparentsPintlarge glass of beerPissbeerPolly: politicianPom, pommyan EnglishmanPrezzypresent, giftQuid, make aearn a livingRagepartyRaptpleased, delightedRego: vehicle registrationRellie or relofamily relativeRidgy-didgeoriginal, genuineRight, sheit'll be all rightRippergreat, fantasticRookangarooRopeablevery angryRortCheating, fiddling, defraudingSangera sandwichScratchyinstant lottery ticketSheilaa womanShoot throughto leaveSpunka good looking personStickybeak: nosy personStokedvery pleasedStrineAustralian slang and pronunciationStuffed, I feelI'm tiredSunniessunglassesTall poppiessuccessful peopleTinnysmall aluminium boatTinny, tin-arsedluckyToo right! definitely! TuckerfoodUnitflat, apartmentUteutility vehicle, pickup truckVejjovegetarianWalkabout, it's goneit's lost, can't be foundWhackeridiotWhingecomplainYakka workYobboan uncouth personZacksixpence (5 cents)
2.1 The colloquialism
The term slang (some language references, such as the Macquarie Dictionary, prefer to use the term colloquialism) describes a characteristic of speech (or writing) where a speaker (or writer) feels free to express themselves informally and often outside the confines of correct grammar or social niceties. These expressions are usually cheeky, personal and amusing.significant proportion of slang refers to vulgar or taboo concepts and events. But not all humorous or memorable phrases can be classified as slang; it is important to consider how frequent and widespread the use and recognition of the term is among the general population.
Colloquialisms in dictionaries and language guides
Examples of slang are usually found in everyday speech, however, they are also collected from the radio, television, newspapers, books and advertising. In the Macquarie Dictionary, words with the note Colloquial" after the entry are categorised as colloquialisms. There are a number of dictionaries devoted to documenting both past and present Australian colloquialisms, however determining the exact definition of an Australian colloquialism will always lead to a lively and interesting debate.
The Australian idiom
Linguists and other cultural theorists value the study of Australian colloquialisms as a way of observing how the Australian character has developed through language. For example, having a bash at something is similar to giving it a burl, and both phrases reflect a history of Australian improvisation and hard work. Dont come the raw prawn" began its life as slang used by Australian service personnel in World War II, and is still used to warn off someone when they attempt to impose their will.Baker, author of a number of important 20th century works about slang, believed that the Australians greatest talent is for idiomatic invention. It is a manifestation of their vitality and restless imagination.Australian fondness for continually adapting English through shortening, substituting and combining words contributes to a vocabulary that most Australians understand, and what could be called the Australian idiom or vernacular.
Substitutions, abbreviations and comparisons
Colloquialisms can be incorporated into language in a number of ways; the most common of which are substitution and comparison. A common form of substitution is when rhyming slang removes one part of a phrase and replaces it with a word that rhymes, for example to have a Captain Cook means to have a look.could also include a metaphor, where one word or idea stands in for another. There is no town in Australia called Woop Woop, however it has been a popular and evocative byword for a backward and remote location, and has been in use throughout the 20th century.that take the form of a comparison often raise startling images, for example: flat out like a lizard drinking (working very hard on a task) or standing like a bandicoot on a burnt ridge" (feeling lonely and vulnerable). Dazed and confused, someone will wander like a stunned mullet; in a furious rage, they will be mad as a cut snake" and in a state of undeniable lifelessness they will be dead as a maggot.also demonstrate a strong impulse to abbreviate and alter word endings, resulting in barbie" for barbecue, arvo" for afternoon, cossie" for swimming costume and blowie" for blowfly.