For a long time I wondered if I would be able to follow the Aussie accent, especially if they spoke fast. It seemed simple enough during cricket commentary but there were words that I had difficulty catching. So on the flight from Bangkok to Sydney, a small conversation struck up while waiting to use the bathroom gave me my first taste of the Aussie accent up-close and personal. No problems there. Then came Australia Day and a stranger at a bat struck up a conversation with me and the bar tender, and I must confess, I barely understood a few words. I had to put 2 and 2 together and figure out what was being said. Mostly I was just pretending to understand. Furthermore, I realized that certain words were not in my vocabulary. The Aussie “slang” is something I haven’t yet picked up, but watching television here is helping a bit.
It seems to me that there is a shorter version of most words in the slang dictionary. And from the very few that I know, it’s strange to find that most of them end with the phonetic “e”. For example, breakfast has been shortened to “brekky”, and Tasmania is “Tassy”. Aussie lingo is unique, and to someone who has had no exposure to it may find it difficult to follow and perhaps a tad bit funny as well. Some of these words and phrases have become common knowledge across the globe, phrases such as “good on you, mate” has gained popularity through game shows and cricket commentaries. The slang can vary from city to city and from state to state. So if someone gives you a comprehensive list of words and phrases that are uniquely Aussie, well, do check if they belong to a particular city or state.
What I found interesting during my research on Aussie slang is the number of words there are for beer and beer glasses/servings. The ultimate resource for everything – Wikipedia – gives a wonderful little table on all the words used in various cities here. So for all you beer drinkers out there getting ready for a trip Down Under, the list may come in handy.
I am very tempted to add a few unique words and phrases here in a little list of my favorites, but there are so many websites that provide a comprehensive list for anyone traveling to Australia, that it beats the purpose. So I will provide the list of websites that I quite like and am using in my efforts to pick up the local lingo. The fact that years of speaking a language a certain way has made it very difficult for me to add the lingo to my repertoire, the efforts to do so will continue.
By the way, “outback” is unique to the Australian English Dictionary.
- Sharmishta’s favorite Australian slang dictionaries: Koalanet Aussie Slang Australian Explorer
Indeed, the accent varies in different locations, and can make a familiar language unfamiliar! Legendary Prof Higgins was able to recognize one’s residential area from the difference, that we all enjoyed so much in “My Fair Lady”. We, in India have mostly learned the ‘correct Queens English’ from the British Raj days taught at the Convents – which is no longer common even in England (amongst commoners) and is often termed as ‘BBC English’! Our local regional intonations have added flavour to the language, as we are readily aware. Aussies have similarly developed the language with many unique slangs and expressions that one needs to get familiar with – which you have rightly noted, besides the tonal differences in pronouncing even many common words.
Your research on this topic makes the observations so interesting, and perhaps some readers will take your lead in further exploration. I, for one, am enjoying your various posts and am amazed at the diversity and details – so well expressed or summarized. Keep it up…..
Thanks, Dadu, I’m glad you enjoy reading this blog. I’m glad I have at least one follower