Despite the fact that English is a "world language", there are many variations of it. It comes to the point that a native Briton cannot always understand another person living, for example, in Canada. For comfortable communication, such people need to know not only the peculiarities of pronunciation, but also unique phrases and expressions of another variant of the English language.
The same is true for Australian English. And for those people who want to visit this unique country, it can be difficult to understand the locals without special prompts.
History of Australian English
Initially, Australia was one of the English colonies. The indigenous population of the mainland consisted of several warring tribes at a low stage of development. Because of this, the colonizers have identified English as the main language.
The first settlers were criminals, renegades and the poor, who sailed from their native England tolooking for a better life. The arrangement of life in uncharted lands was more promising for them than at home.
Of course, scientists and doctors also moved to Australia, but the main population was illiterate. Their speech turned out to be simple and understandable, without "high" words and terms. With the change of generations, this trait only became stronger.
Language Features
In addition to the original simplicity of Australian English, it has the following features:
- Australians are more reserved and calm when speaking. Their tone is below traditional English speech.
- Australian English has a more even manner of speaking. Unlike the English, they do not make much difference in the stress of words, preferring melodiousness to harshness.
- In conversation, the Australian often uses simple synonyms: mate instead of friend, chook, not the usual chicken.
- Australians prefer to shorten words: chokkie for chocolate and arvo for afternoon.
- In conversation, Australians can swallow syllables and even change the pronunciation of words. If you do not understand what your interlocutor is saying, then ask him to slow down, as the quality of English is seriously affected due to the high rate of speech.
There are three accents in Australian English:
- General. It is used by the majority of the population, about 60 percent. It is a mixture of traditional Australian and British speech.
- Broad. Has a second name Strine. Characterized by richness and evensome roughness of pronunciation. It is used by about 30 percent of the population, but it is quite understandable.
- Cultivated. It is as similar as possible to ordinary British speech, so tourists will have no problems understanding the locals.
In general, visitors will not have problems with the language if they know English. British, American or Canadian - it doesn't matter, Australian English will be understood by everyone.
Vocabulary
American English had a great influence on the formation of this language. Australian pronunciation has changed significantly with the advent of the media and popular American books. Nevertheless, the vocabulary and spelling of the language practically does not differ from traditional British.
Unusual use of familiar vocabulary and phrases can cause inconvenience. For example, a garbage truck in Australian would be a rubbish truck. Interestingly, in England, the first word is used to designate it, and in America, the second.
Australian English can be surprising with a lot of unique words: bloke and tea mean more than just brick and tea. Bloke is a person and tea is an evening meal. And how not to get confused here?
Should I learn slang?
If you are planning a short educational trip to Australia, then you will not need to learn slang words and expressions. The locals will quite understand the traditional version of the English language. In no case will your vacation be complicated by misunderstandings.
But for those who are going to move to Australia permanently or plan to live in this country for a long time, you should take care to study the features of Australian English, including slang.
On the other hand, a basic knowledge of English of at least Intermediate level is enough for the first time and settling in on the spot. In the future, the language environment in which a person finds himself will take its toll, and the visitor will speak Australian English as well as local ones.
Full adaptation takes from six months to a year, however, even after a longer time, a person may come across something new in a language already familiar to him.
