English got much of its rich vocabulary by borrowing words from other languages. Australian English is the same. Many languages and dialects have contributed to Australian English. Among them are Cantonese, Hokkien, Spanish, Portuguese, the various dialects of Great Britain, German, various Aboriginal languages and American English. Even common English words were adapted to local conditions and now have extra meaning. A good example is bush: in Britain a bush is a small woody shrub. But when Australians say bush, they usually mean any land with native vegetation.
The vocabulary used by many Australians differs from the English in language textbooks. Some patterns of conversation are also different: for example, Australians don’t ask personal questions when talking to strangers.
Australian informality extends to the language. People from all social groups use slang words and idiomatic phrases all the time. Informal language is also found in the written Australian English of newspapers, magazines, advertising and popular books.
Australians like to shorten a long word to one or two syllables and then add a vowel sound at the end. In this way an Australian becomes an Aussie, breakfast becomes brekkie, vegetables are veggies, football is footy and university is uni.
Other common examples are: aggro (aggression or aggressive); arvo (afternoon); barbie (barbeque); bickie (biscuit); blowie (blowfly); Brissie (Brisbane); chockie (chocolate); Chrissie (Christmas); cocky (cockatoo): deli (delicatessan) demo (demonstration); garbo (garbage or rubbish); hankie or hanky (handkerchief); hubby (husband); mushie (mushroom); muso (musician); mossie or mozzie (mosquito); nana (banana); nightie (nightdress); oldies (old people, parents)’ postie (postman or mail delivery person); pressie (present or gift); rego (car registration); rellies (relatives) sickie (sick or a day taken off work while pretending to be ill); sunnies (sunglasses); Tassie (Tasmania); telly (television); tinnie (can of beer); undies (underpants); vego (a vegetarian).
The habit of putting a vowel at the end of a syllable extends to Australian nicknames, particularly those of men. A man whose given name is Thomas, or whose family name of Thompson is likely to be called Thommo; David is often Davo; and John is Johnno. Men whose family name begins with Mac (as in MacDonald) are often called Macca.
* From: White, Sally A. (2003) Understanding Australia: A guide for international students. Cambridge University Press. Available from COOP Bookshop. ($24.95)
The vocabulary used by many Australians differs from the English in language textbooks. Some patterns of conversation are also different: for example, Australians don’t ask personal questions when talking to strangers.
Australian informality extends to the language. People from all social groups use slang words and idiomatic phrases all the time. Informal language is also found in the written Australian English of newspapers, magazines, advertising and popular books.
Australians like to shorten a long word to one or two syllables and then add a vowel sound at the end. In this way an Australian becomes an Aussie, breakfast becomes brekkie, vegetables are veggies, football is footy and university is uni.
Other common examples are: aggro (aggression or aggressive); arvo (afternoon); barbie (barbeque); bickie (biscuit); blowie (blowfly); Brissie (Brisbane); chockie (chocolate); Chrissie (Christmas); cocky (cockatoo): deli (delicatessan) demo (demonstration); garbo (garbage or rubbish); hankie or hanky (handkerchief); hubby (husband); mushie (mushroom); muso (musician); mossie or mozzie (mosquito); nana (banana); nightie (nightdress); oldies (old people, parents)’ postie (postman or mail delivery person); pressie (present or gift); rego (car registration); rellies (relatives) sickie (sick or a day taken off work while pretending to be ill); sunnies (sunglasses); Tassie (Tasmania); telly (television); tinnie (can of beer); undies (underpants); vego (a vegetarian).
The habit of putting a vowel at the end of a syllable extends to Australian nicknames, particularly those of men. A man whose given name is Thomas, or whose family name of Thompson is likely to be called Thommo; David is often Davo; and John is Johnno. Men whose family name begins with Mac (as in MacDonald) are often called Macca.
* From: White, Sally A. (2003) Understanding Australia: A guide for international students. Cambridge University Press. Available from COOP Bookshop. ($24.95)