Looking at the English language in Australia with its short history of 200 years, the question arises whether Australian English can already be seen as a variety on its own right. To find a competent answer to this question one has to consider the linguistic development of the language as well as the concrete linguistic features which occur in this variety. The linguistic development is intimately connected with the historical background of a country. Thus in a first part of this term paper a short overview on the history of Australia is given to build the fundament for the following analysis of the linguistic development of the English language in Australia. Then the concrete linguistic features are evaluated and applied in the practical part of this term paper. So, as a last step, the question, whether Australian English has the status of being a variety on its own right, can be answered.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction: Is Australian English a variety on its own right?
2. History of Australia
3. Australia
3.1.Development of the English language in Australia
3.1.1. Arrival (1788 - ca. 1830s)
3.1.2. Expansion (ca. 1830s – 1901)
3.1.3. Dependent Independence (1901 – 1942)
3.1.4. Independence (1942 – ca. 1980s)
3.1.5. Varieties of Australian English (ca. 1980s - )
3.1.5.1.Aboriginal English
3.1.5.2.Migrant English
3.1.5.3.Australian English
3.2.Concrete linguistic features
3.2.1. Pronunciation
3.2.2. Intonation
3.2.3. Consonants
3.2.4. Vowels
3.2.5. Grammar
3.2.6. Vocabulary
4. Analysis of an example
4.1.Pronunciation
4.2.Intonation
4.3.Consonants and Vowels
4.4.Grammar
4.5.Vocabulary
4.6.Conclusion of the analysis
5. Conclusion: Australian English is a variety on its own right
Objectives & Core Themes
This paper explores whether Australian English (AE) has achieved the status of an independent linguistic variety. It examines the historical development of the language in Australia and analyzes its specific linguistic characteristics to determine if it maintains sufficient internal consistency and cultural recognition to be considered a distinct variety.
- Historical evolution of the English language in Australia across five distinct phases.
- Linguistic analysis of pronunciation, intonation, phonology, grammar, and vocabulary.
- Categorization of Australian English into social types: Cultivated, General, and Broad.
- Case study analysis of an interview to identify concrete linguistic features in practice.
- Sociolinguistic evaluation of the status of Australian English within the global context.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.1. Arrival (1788 – ca. 1830s)
The English language was brought to Australia by the convicts and their escort and later also by the arrival of the English settlers in the colonies. The convicts and settlers of the white community “came from various parts of Great Britain, but above all from the south-east region of England”, “especially London” and also from Ireland. As a consequence “[d]iversity was present from the first”, because “many characteristic features of AE [Australian English] are derived from a small number of dialects whose speakers were numerically dominant in the early years of colonisation.” One example is Cockney, a dialect spoken in London by the working class, from which noticeable parallels still exist in today´s Broad Australian, as for instance “the chain shift pattern in long vowels”. This can be traced back to the beginnings of colonization. But nevertheless, “AE was not simply a transplanted equivalent of any single English dialect. Rather it was a new development, with some features traceable to some dialects of England”. So it gets obvious that the “Melting pot” theories alone, which indicate that AE is just a mixture of different dialects building a new one, is not sufficient.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Is Australian English a variety on its own right?: This chapter introduces the research question and outlines the necessity of analyzing historical development and linguistic features to determine the status of Australian English.
2. History of Australia: This chapter provides a brief historical overview of Australia, from James Cook’s arrival to the development of a multicultural society, forming the foundation for the linguistic analysis.
3. Australia: This section details the five phases of language development, identifies the main varieties (Aboriginal, Migrant, Australian English), and describes key linguistic features like intonation and vowels.
4. Analysis of an example: This chapter applies the previously established linguistic criteria to an interview with a native speaker to identify typical features of General Australian in practice.
5. Conclusion: Australian English is a variety on its own right: The final chapter synthesizes the arguments, concluding that the homogeneity and standardization of the language justify its status as an independent variety.
Keywords
Australian English, Historical Linguistics, Varieties of English, Postcolonial English, Phonology, Intonation, Aboriginal English, Migrant English, Broad Australian, General Australian, Cultivated Australian, Sociolinguistics, Macquarie Dictionary, Language Development, Standardization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core research goal of this paper?
The primary goal is to determine if Australian English has evolved into a fully independent linguistic variety, supported by its historical roots and current linguistic features.
Which historical periods are analyzed?
The paper follows Edgar W. Schneider’s classification, analyzing the development of English in Australia through five distinct historical phases from colonization to the present.
What are the main varieties of English identified in Australia?
The text identifies three primary varieties categorized by social groups: Aboriginal English, Migrant English, and Australian English (comprising Cultivated, General, and Broad types).
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The author uses a historical-linguistic approach combined with a qualitative analysis of a specific audio interview to correlate theory with observable language usage.
How is the "high rising tone" described?
The high rising tone is characterized as an AE feature appearing at the end of declarative sentences, often used by younger speakers to maintain listener contact.
What role does the Macquarie Dictionary play?
The existence of a national dictionary is cited as a significant factor in the standardization and cultural recognition of Australian English as an independent variety.
Why are there no significant grammar differences from Standard English?
The author observes that while minor non-standard elements exist, they are often shared with other British English varieties, meaning AE does not deviate significantly in its grammatical structure.
How does the author conclude the case study on "Warwick"?
The analysis of the interview confirms that the speaker uses features typical of General Australian, such as specific vowel shifts and a non-rhotic pronunciation, without reaching the extremes of Broad Australian.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Sarah Wenzel (Autor:in), 2011, Varieties of English. Australian English, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/471458
