Australian English and Strine

The official language in Australia is English. Some Aboriginal groups still speak their native languages, however, many of these languages have been lost. Aboriginal languages vary from tribe to tribe.

The Australian accent differs from those in the U.K. and U.S. Most people tend to confuse the Australian accent with the New Zealand accent. Doing this is like asking a Canadian if she�s American, and vice-versa. If you�re not used to the accents, it can be very difficult to distinguish between the two.

Australians tend to shorten words, when possible. When this occurs, a long �e� sound is often added at the end. Australian English is popularly referred to as �Strine, which is short for Australian. Some commonly shortened words:
Australian: Aussie (sounds like �Ozzie�)
Afternoon: arvo (light on the �r�, sounds like avo in avocado)
Barbecue: barbie
Breakfast: brekkie
Cold Beer: coldie
Mosquito: mozzie
Thanks: ta
Tasmania: Tassie
University: uni (you-knee)
Utility Vehicle: ute
Vegetarian: veggie

Occasionally, Australians will use words that you don�t know. Although you can usually figure out the meaning by the context of the sentence, here a quick reference of a few:
Billabong: water hole
Bloke: guy
Capsicum: pepper
Concession: discount
Daggy: unfashionable
Drink Driving: drunk driving
Fair Dinkum: genuine
G� Day: hello, hey
Grog: alcohol
Hire: to rent
Lollies: candy
Mate: friend
Piss: alcohol, usually beer
Pommy: English person. Commentary on English skin after it has been in the Australian sun . Also references POME: Prisoner of Mother England.
Sheila: woman
Takeaway: take-out
Wanker: idiot or a jerk, derogatory

Australians are also big fans of rhyming, although not in the nursery-rhyme or song sense. The most common rhyming scheme an American will hear is being referred to as a �seppo.� Yank rhymes with tank and the most disgusting tank is a septic one. Septic tank is then shortened, in Aussie fashion, to �seppo.� If you don�t understand the connections, ask an Australian, who will be more than happy to explain it to you while taking the piss (i.e. teasing you).

Tags: Culture