Australia for dummies

Since i have been in downunder, i have learnt alot about Australia. So i thought that it would be nice to share what i've known to others (if there are some interested out there).

You might be confused, particularly Indonesians, to listen to the Australian accent. As you may have noticed, every english-speaking countries have its own accents. Australia is no exemption. But many Indonesians perhaps get used to American english (AmE) rather than Australian-English (AE) or British-English (BE), let alone Pakistani, Indian, Bangladeshi English. Thanks to all the crap that is fed us by American popular culture. Familiarity is the reason why we are often confused when we listen to other english accents.

• The most distinctive characteristic in the Australian accent is when they pronounce any words that have E and R letters at the end. Butter will sound like: bata:, without stressing too much on the letter T and with a subtle sound of the letter r at the end. Likewise, summer will sound like samma.

Note: Most of the states in Australia have similar accent but interestingly, Adelaide (South Australia) has slightly different accent. Their accent is a little bit similar to the British accent but i am not sure which part of England (i am convinced it can not be Geordie-Newcastle or Scouse-Liverpool) as England itself has millions accents. Fascinating, isnt it!

Australians like to shorten many words (Dont ask me why as i can regretfully not give you the answer although i've been living here for 5 years)

• Afternoon = arvo, e.g I am going to the movie this arvo (in the afternoon)
• Sunglasses = sunnies, e.g Have you seen where my sunnies are?
• Uni = university, e.g I saw a gig at uni last night
• Thongs = sandals, e.g Can you please put my thongs inside?
• No worries = its okay, nevermind, no problem, e.g It would be no worries if you're popping in this arvo.

Note: Apparently, many young people in the UK use the word uni instead of university which infuriate older people. Bloody old people! Stop whinging, cant you? In New Zealand, they have the word jandals for sandals.

Now i'd like to touch upon slang words. There are millions of slang words in Australia and every generation has developed its own slangs.

• Bonza means great but it is rarely used now, unless you want to be called 'granpa' by your friends. Some people still use the word Ace for great or excellent. But the most popular one will be beautiful to express something good or when things worked out well. These days, many teenagers use sweet, cool, awesome. Americanisation!
• Downunder is another name to call Australia

AE has different spelling to American but is pretty much the same with BE.

• They dont use -ize but -ise instead. So you can never find spelling like Globalization in AE but Globalisation.
• Colour is more commonly used than color. The latter is American spelling.
• Mummy (AE and BE) is preferably used. Mommy is American spelling.

Food? Mmmm this might be the most dificult question to answer. Traditionally, Vegemite (made out of yeast) and peanut butter sandwiches are Australian food. The wave of migration that has been hitting Australia (and other countries such as England and America) has made Australian food various. This is the result of a blending culture between migrants and others cultures. But here are some food that you can easily find in every shopping strips.

• Pad Thai (Thai Noddle)
• Kebab (Turkish bread stuffed with lettuce, tomato and onion)

Note: As i heard from other people, in England curry and chicken masala are becoming national dishes replacing fish and chips and roast beef.