[24] How Australian English Came To Be

In this episode, I talk about my own variety of English (Australian), how it evolved into what it is today and why it’s the best English variety on earth.

Summary:

• American and British English have regional or geographical varieties (e.g. an American from Texas speaks very different to someone from New York).
• Australian English is different – accents are more related to socioeconomic status.
• There are 3 varieties of Aussie English – Broad, General and Cultivated.
• Broad is the most famous and stereotypical accent, used by people like the late, great Steve Irwin (crocodile hunter).
• Australian English is full of diminutives (shortening of words).
• Some of the main sources of Aussie English are the Irish, English Cockneys and the Australian aborigines.

Related blog post:

You can read all about Aussie English (and hear samples) in my epic article on the topic.

Resources:

You can find some great Australian English teachers on italki.