Summary of Presentation.

1-Origins
The name Australia comes from the Latin Terra Australis Incognito which means the Unknown
Southern Land.

The earliest form of Australian English was first spoken by the children of the colonists born
into the colony of New South Wales. This very first generation of children created a new
dialect that was to become the language of the nation.

2- Influences
To the casual listener is sounds similar to Cockney pronunciation, but it differs in many ways.
Australian speech also tends to be more contracted, with some sounds and even entire
syllables omitted.

This great influx of immigrants caused the integration of numerous new patterns into the local
speech. By this time several words of Irish origin had been adopted into the language (some of
which are also common elsewhere in the Irish diaspora.

Among the changes starting in the 19th century gold rushes was the introduction of words,
spellings, terms and usages from North American English. The words imported included some
later considered to be typically Australian.

3- Phonology

Australian pronunciation has slight regional variations, and city speech tends to be faster
than country speech. Some oversimplified rules of Australian speech are to speak slightly
nasally, to contract any word of more than 2 syllables and to convert terms into
diminutives wherever possible. Some Australians speak English-based creole languages
such as the Australian Kriol language, Torres Strait Creole and Norfuk language.

Two Australians can grow up side by side but end up speaking different versions of Australian
English. 10 per cent of Australians speak with what is known as a broad Australian accent. The
manner of speaking is an expression of identity. It signals identification with one group and
rejection of another. For example, when soccer player David Beckam says, "I want to fank
everyone for coming", his substitution of an 'f' sound for the 'th' sound shows pride in his
working class roots.

4-Variation

Some Australians speak English-based creole languages such as the Australian

Kriol language, Torres Strait Creole and Norfuk language.
5- Sociocultural variation

According to linguists, Australian English can be divided into three main varieties: broad,
general and cultivated. These accents form a continuum that reflects the variations in the
Australian accent.

Broad Australian Accent

The broad Australian accent is typically associated with Australian masculinity. Notable
speakers include ex-Prime Minister Bob Hawke, comedian Paul Hogan and actor Bill Hunter.
Although the accent is only spoken by a minority of the population, it has a great deal of
cultural credibility. It is disproportionately used in advertisements and by newsreaders. For
example, until the 1970s newsreaders on the government funded ABC had to speak with the
cultivated accent. Since there was a shortage of Australian men.

For example, when soccer player David Beckam says, "I want to fank everyone for coming", his
substitution of an 'f' sound for the 'th' sound shows pride in his working class roots.

General Australian Accent

Around 80 per cent of Australians speak like actor Nicole Kidman with what is known
as a general Australian English accent.

Cultivated Australian Accent

The final ten per cent of Australians speak with what is known as a cultivated accent, which
sounds a bit like Prince Charles. It is usually spoken by women wanting to portray a feminine
and sophisticated image. Although most speakers are women, some men, such as ex-prime
minister Malcolm Fraser, use the accent.

6-Regional variation

Although relatively homogeneous, some regional variations in Australian English are

notable. The dialects of English spoken in the south east of Australia, where majority of
the population lives, differs somewhat to that spoken in South Australia, Western
Australia and Torres Strait islands. Differences in terms of vocabulary and phonology
exist.Most regional differences come down to word usage. For example, swimming
clothes are known as cossies or swimmers in New South Wales, togs in Queensland, and
bathers in Victoria and South Australia. The word footy generally refers to the most
popular football code in the particular state or territory.