Abstract
When a language is spread all over the world, it naturally is not exactly the same everywhere. The language takes different forms in different places and these forms are distinguishable from each other by certain characteristics. These forms are dialects. In the case of English there are extraordinarily many dialects since the English language is spoken in many countries and functions as the lingua franca of the world. English has achieved global status. It is the language which is most prevalently taught and used as a foreign language in more than a 100 countries. Apart from that, there are several nations which have large numbers of the people speaking English as their mother tongue, i.e. the USA, Canada, Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.
Among these, Australia is said to be one of the most monolingual countries. However, this is not the only reason why investigations about Australian English are interesting. Since Australia is a very young nation, the dialect which has developed there, started its way up only 200 years ago. In addition, many linguists have referred to the striking homogeneity of Australian English (AusE). Subjective opinions about this dialect cause great deals of controversy and although this reaction might be observed with many dialects, AusE is in some way predestined for evoking controversial feelings. In this paper I will try to give comprehensible explanations why the Australian dialect is a very special form of English.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. History
- 2.1 Structure of the early Australian society
- 3. Development of a 'new' English
- 3.1 Language adoption
- 3.2 Words from Aboriginal languages
- 4. Variation in Australian English
- 4.1 Social background
- 4.2 The Mitchell and Delbridge survey
- 4.2.1 The vowel variants
- 5. Uniformity of AusE
- 6. Bias against AusE
- 7. Vocabulary
- 7.1 Example of Waltzing Matilda
- 7.2 The need for a National dictionary
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to explain the unique characteristics of Australian English (AusE) and its development as a distinct dialect. It investigates the historical and sociolinguistic factors that shaped its evolution, focusing on the early settlement of Australia and the influence of different social groups on the language.
- The historical development of AusE
- The sociolinguistic factors influencing AusE
- The variation within AusE
- The perceived uniformity and biases surrounding AusE
- The unique vocabulary of AusE
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the concept of dialects and their formation within the context of the global spread of English. It highlights the unique status of Australian English (AusE) as a relatively young and surprisingly homogenous dialect, despite its rapid development within a young nation and the diverse backgrounds of its early speakers. The chapter establishes the need for further investigation into the reasons behind AusE's unique characteristics and sets the stage for the subsequent analysis.
2. History: This chapter details the early history of Australia's settlement, beginning with Captain Cook's sighting of the east coast and the subsequent establishment of the first penal colony in Sydney. It describes the influx of convicts and free settlers from Britain and Ireland, emphasizing the socio-economic disparities that defined early Australian society. The chapter provides crucial historical context to understand the linguistic development that followed, highlighting the significant role of convicts in shaping the population and consequently, the language.
2.1 Structure of the early Australian society: This section explores the tripartite social structure of early Australia, comprising the ruling elite, convicts, and free immigrants. It examines the differing perspectives and societal roles of these groups, emphasizing the power dynamics and social divisions that existed. This analysis underscores how such social stratification and class distinctions likely influenced the development and evolution of the language, influencing language variation and attitudes towards particular dialects.
3. Development of a 'new' English: This chapter delves into the origins of AusE, exploring competing theories regarding its development. These include the "amalgam" theory, suggesting a blending of regional varieties brought by early settlers, and the theory positing London English as the primary basis for AusE, with minimal influence from other dialects like Irish English. The chapter examines scholarly debates around the relative influence of different regional British dialects and the factors that contributed to the homogeneity of AusE.
4. Variation in Australian English: This chapter explores the variations within AusE, considering the influence of social background and conducting a comprehensive overview of the influential Mitchell and Delbridge survey and its findings on vowel variants. The exploration of this variation within the seemingly uniform dialect will give a more robust picture of the nature of AusE. The chapter lays the groundwork for a deeper understanding of how social factors, alongside the historically limited mixing of different dialects, shaped the unique aspects of AusE.
5. Uniformity of AusE: This chapter focuses on the notable homogeneity of AusE. This surprising unity is contrasted with the expected diversity from the wide range of backgrounds of the early settlers. The reasons behind this uniformity and the implications of this uniformity are key to understanding this Australian English variant.
6. Bias against AusE: This chapter discusses the prejudices and biases against Australian English, examining how the dialect has been viewed and perceived both within Australia and internationally. This section likely explores the social and cultural factors contributing to these biases and their impact on the perception and acceptance of AusE.
7. Vocabulary: This chapter examines the distinctive vocabulary of AusE, using the example of "Waltzing Matilda" to illustrate its unique characteristics. It also discusses the need for a national dictionary to record and preserve the evolving lexicon of the Australian dialect. This chapter emphasizes the unique cultural expressions reflected in the vocabulary and the importance of documentation for future generations.
Keywords
Australian English, dialect, sociolinguistics, historical linguistics, language variation, language standardization, social stratification, vocabulary, homogeneity, bias, settlement history.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Australian English
What is the main topic of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of Australian English (AusE), exploring its historical development, sociolinguistic influences, variations, perceived uniformity, biases, and unique vocabulary. It aims to explain the unique characteristics of AusE and its evolution as a distinct dialect.
What are the key themes explored in this document?
The key themes include the historical development of AusE, the sociolinguistic factors influencing its evolution (including the influence of early settlers and social stratification), variations within AusE, the surprising uniformity of AusE despite diverse origins, biases against AusE, and the unique vocabulary of AusE.
What historical factors shaped the development of Australian English?
The early settlement of Australia, including the arrival of convicts and free settlers from Britain and Ireland, and the resulting socio-economic disparities significantly shaped the development of AusE. The document also discusses the influence of Aboriginal languages on the vocabulary.
How is the social structure of early Australia relevant to the development of AusE?
The tripartite social structure of early Australia (ruling elite, convicts, and free immigrants) and the power dynamics between these groups played a crucial role in shaping the language. Social stratification and class distinctions likely influenced language variation and attitudes towards different dialects.
What are the competing theories regarding the origins of AusE?
The document explores competing theories, including the "amalgam" theory (a blending of regional varieties brought by early settlers) and the theory that posits London English as the primary basis for AusE, with minimal influence from other dialects. It examines scholarly debates on the relative influence of different British dialects.
What is the Mitchell and Delbridge survey, and why is it important?
The Mitchell and Delbridge survey is a significant study mentioned in the document that investigated vowel variations within AusE. Its findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the variations present within this seemingly uniform dialect.
Why is the uniformity of AusE surprising?
The surprising homogeneity of AusE, considering the diverse backgrounds of early settlers, is a key focus. The document explores the reasons behind this uniformity and its implications.
What biases exist against Australian English?
The document addresses the prejudices and biases against AusE, both within Australia and internationally, exploring the social and cultural factors contributing to these biases and their impact.
How is the vocabulary of AusE unique?
The document examines the distinctive vocabulary of AusE, using "Waltzing Matilda" as an example, and emphasizes the unique cultural expressions reflected in the vocabulary and the need for a national dictionary to preserve it.
What are the key words associated with this study of Australian English?
Key words include Australian English, dialect, sociolinguistics, historical linguistics, language variation, language standardization, social stratification, vocabulary, homogeneity, bias, and settlement history.
What are the chapter summaries included in this preview?
The preview includes summaries of each chapter, outlining the main points covered in each section, from the introduction and historical context to the discussion of vocabulary and biases surrounding AusE.
What is the overall objective of this document?
The main objective is to provide a comprehensive and structured explanation of the unique characteristics of Australian English and its development as a distinct dialect, examining its historical and sociolinguistic factors.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Susanne Zolke (Autor:in), 2004, The Australian Dialect, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/32536
