How to speak Australian

Australian English has many unique features which distinguish it from its parent country, England. Like Americans, Australians have developed their own particular pronunciation and slang. For any visitor to Australia, a crash course in Australian is a necessary part of survival.

1.        Influences on Australian English

Australian English is unique in many ways. An Australian will speak more nasally than an American or Enlgish person. They will also pepper their speech with a variety of slang words and phrases that confuse the visitor. Expert linguists believe that Australian English is a combination of cockney English, Middle class English and Irish. The Irish and Cockney influence was due to the original white settlers being convicts. Whilst it is true that some cockney slang is still used in Australia, mainly in country areas, the Australian use of English has developed into a style all of its own.

2.        How to say Friend in Australian

Australian males do not have friends, they have mates. Mates are usually other men who are drinking companions, brothers in arms and close friends. The closest word in American English is ‘pal’. It does not take a great deal to turn an acquaintance into a mate. A few beers and a good chat in a pub will easily turn a stranger into a mate. Especially if the stranger is buying the beer.

3.        What is a shout?

In common parlance a shout is a scream or loud expression of shock or dismay. In Australia, a shout is a word often heard in a pub. A shout is the equivalent of a round. If an Australian says, ‘It’s your shout’, it means that you are obliged to pay for the round of drinks. Many international visitors lose money because they do not understand the meaning of the word ‘shout’.

4.        What do you call a Guy in Australia?

An upstanding man in Australia is either a mate or a bloke. A bloke is the equivalent of the American ‘guy.’ If an Australian calls somebody a ‘good bloke’, they mean that he is a man of good character.

5.        Why are Aussies, Aussies and what are Mozzies?

Australian English is much like the Australian character, casual and easy going. Australians will regularly add a ‘y’ or ‘ie’ to the end of words to shorten them. Thus an Aussie is an Australian and a Mozzie is a mosquito. Similarly, football becomes ‘footy’, and a barbeque becomes a ‘barbie’. Australians like to use shortened words to make life friendlier.

6.        Australian pronunciation.

Australian’s are casual in speech and enjoy a relaxed lifestyle. Their language and pronunciation reflect these aspects of their character. An Australian will pronounce an ‘a’ like an ‘e’ making  a word like ‘ant’  sound like ‘ent’ .This can lead to misunderstandings between native Australians and those from overseas.

 Most Australians are tolerant and will respond positively to a request to repeat information. Aussies are famous for laughing at themselves and will appreciate a good joke based upon a mutual misunderstanding of information.