English

Considered one of the major variations of

the English language, Australian English is the
official language of Australia, having originally
deviated from British English in the 18th century,
after the founding of the Colony of New South
Wales. It has been recognised as being
distinctive from British English for almost 200
years and emerged as European settlers from
Britain, Ireland and Germany mixed with one
another.
 Australian English’s reputation as an
amalgam of British and American English can
be understood more clearly when you look at
its grammatical features. For example, in terms
of spelling, Australian English most closely
resembles British English. The ‘u’ is retained in
words like ‘colour’ and the ‘ise’ ending is used
instead of the Americanised ‘ize’ suffix on
words like ‘realise’/’realize’.
Australian English vs. Standard English
 The US dialect is almost universally recognised as
the easiest to understand. In comparison to British
English, its spelling is more phonetic, grammar more
pattern orientated, and its pronunciation is more legible.
In addition, Americans are prone to use persuasive
analogies like "the domino theory" in their
conversations. The American fondness for a legible and
persuasive dialect can probably be traced to the US'
religious history, economical liberalist economy and
presidential system that rewards those leaders that
have been best able to rally the masses behind them.
 Australian English is different from British and
American English in that it has a bias towards invention,
deception, profanity, humour and a classless society. At
times, this can make it almost impossible to understand
and quite offensive to speakers accustomed to formality.
It reflects Australia's identity conflicts born out of its
penal history. In addition, it perhaps reflects the strong
desire of many 19th century Australian to adopt Aboriginal
names and words, particularly in rural Australia, which
may have influenced pronunciation and inspired the
fondness for the diminutive.
HISTORY
 The swipe at Americans and American speech demonstrates the extent
to which this cultivated pronunciation (or ‘received pronunciation’, as it had
been called by A. J. Ellis in 1869)is a product of empire.

Educationalist, Ethel M. Mallarky, writing in 1914, attempts to have it both

ways when, on the one hand, she accepts the fact that Australian English has
diverged from ‘accepted standards of speech’ , but goes on to insist that
standards of empire pronunciation must be maintained: Valerie Desmond in
The Awful Australian (1911) writes: In conclusion, it is only necessary to point
out that so objectionable is the Australian accent that theatrical managers
resolutely refuse to employ Australian-born actors and actresses. Though a
few of these are possessed of talent—or what passes for talent in Australia—
the managers prefer to import English artists of inferior merit, solely because
they possess the essential qualifications that Australians lack—the ability to
speak the English language.
 In the same year, William Churchill writes: ‘The fact remains that
the common speech of the Commonwealth of Australia represents the
most brutal maltreatment which has ever been inflicted upon the
language that is the mother tongue of the great English nations.

In the nineteenth century, there were some occasional early

comments on the Australian accent that were critical, or that might be
taken as critical. First, there is Peter Cunningham, who, in Two Years in
New South Wales (1827), claims that ‘the London mode of pronunciation
has been duly ingrafted on the colloquial dialect of our Currency
youths, and even the better sort of them are apt to meet your
observation of “A fine day”, with their improving response of “Wery fine
indeed!”’.
Wanderings in New South Wales, Batavia, Pedir Coast Singapore, and
China (1834):

Caroline Leakey’s The Broad Arrow was published in 1859

1886, James Froude in Oceana, or, England and her colonies comments:
‘The first thing that struck me—and the impression remained during all
my stay in Australia—was the pure English that was spoken there.

From 1879–80: There are some words that one hears mispronounced in
the schools more frequently than others. For example, many children
append in pronunciation a t to these words: cliff, once, sudden;
misplace the accent in distribute, executive, laborious, mischievous;
and give the wrong sound to the last syllable in massacre.
Common words and phrases of
Australian English
Friend 1: What are doing this arvo? I don’t have
plans by that time.
Friend 2: Nothing! How about let’s get on the
piss?
Friend 1: That’s ace!

Bill: G’day mate!

Harry: G’day.
Bill: Would ya like to pop around for a cuppa?
Harry: Sure, mate. See ya in 15.
1. Amber – Beer or lager.
2. Aussie – An Australian
person.
3. Drongo – Used in place of
words like ‘idiot’’.
4. Fair Dinkum – True, or
genuine.
5. Gander – To have a look at
something.
6. G’Day – Means ‘good day’
but is used as a
general greeting.
7. Give It A Burl – Give it a try,
or have a go.
8. Hooroo – Goodbye.
9. Oldies – Parents.
10. Pom/Pommie – A British
person.
11. Reckon – Used similar to
‘absolutely’.
12. Ripper – ‘great’, ‘fantastic’
and ‘awesome’.
13. She’s Apple – It is fine / It
will be okay.
14. Tucker – Used to describe
food of any type.
15. Yabber – Talk, or chat.
PRONUNCIATIONS Australian
English
All words that ends in: ER, OR, AR, URE, OUR, A, RE
All pronounce as /a/ ‘shorter ah’ sound jaw drop and tongue is remain
down also.

Words that ends in ‘A’ Words that ends in ‘AR’

• Area • Polar
• Cobra • Cheddar
• Coma • Linear
• Flora • Jaguar

Words that ends in ‘ER’ Words that ends in ‘RE’

• Water • Centre
• Laser • Theatre
• Maker • Tyre
• Beer • Fire
Words that ends in ‘OR’ Words that ends in ‘OUR’
• Mirror • Favour
• Actor • Neighbour
• Alligator • Humour
• Doctor • Hour

Words that ends in ‘URE’

• Treasure
• Cure
• Nature
• Structure
Group Members

BRONDIAL, Kim
FUERTES, Divine
GRAVATA, Erika Jane
ISON, Vincent
MANGUBAT, Rechille
MORON, Stephen
NECESITO, Elisha Daniel