Case study: Audience, purpose and lexical choice
As students of English Language, we know that context greatly affects communication decisions. Linguistic choices will be influenced by...
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Oct 25, 2021
Case study: Is today a 'No Bones Day'?
Noodle the pug has taken TikTok by storm, and is even inspiring some linguistic creativity! If you're not up to date with Noodle's fame,...
Oct 25, 2021
Case study: Dan Andrews and the 'big vibe'
We have already discussed the slang lexeme 'vibe' (see our post here) and its diverse uses; it is generally used by the younger...
Sep 29, 2021
Case study: Brands and creative language use
Some brands use linguistic innovation and creativity to present an image of playfulness to their customers, or to make their products...
Sep 29, 2021
Macquarie Dictionary's 40-year anniversary
This article celebrates the 40-year anniversary of the Macquarie Dictionary, which is Australia's most prominent record of Australian...
Sep 29, 2021
Case study: Gender-neutral language in sport
Linguistic changes generally reflect changes taking place in wider society, and this has certainly been the case in the sporting world...
Sep 24, 2021
Attitudes to language; prescriptivism vs descriptivism
The following articles explore speakers' varying attitudes towards different usages of English. In VCE English Language, we discuss both...
Sep 24, 2021
Generational language change and slang
Change is inevitable in any living language, and English's global dominance has made it particularly susceptible to such natural...
Sep 23, 2021
Intro to ethnolects
These resources are a starting point for learning about different ethnolect varieties in Australian English. Students should not use...
Sep 19, 2021
Case study: Politics and lexical choice
Language commenting on political matters is always deliberately chosen to suit the political motivations of the speaker or writer. This...
Sep 18, 2021
Internet and linguistic innovation
The internet is a natural breeding ground for all kinds of creative language use. In some cases, linguistic innovation serves a specific...
Sep 18, 2021
Emoji(s), identity and language change
These articles discuss how emoji can serve a variety of communicative functions, illustrate generational differences in language use, and...
Sep 18, 2021
Case study: Brands and Aussie slang
Companies love to cash in on our unique brand of English by using it to advertise their products. The proliferation of these kinds of ads...
Sep 16, 2021
The role of dictionaries in recording language change
This article from September 2020 discusses how Dictionary.com must adapt its entries for certain words due to the constant changes...
Sep 16, 2021
Case study: PM Scott Morrison's 'not particularly flash' lexical choice
This article discusses Prime Minister Scott Morrison's controversial use of the colloquial phrase 'wasn't a particularly flash day' to...
Sep 16, 2021
Gogglebox and linguistic diversity in Australia
The following article discusses how the TV show 'Gogglebox' reflects linguistic diversity in Australian society. While the article is now...
Sep 16, 2021
Case study: Australian culture, swearing, and taboo language
Is it true that swearing in public is more accepted in Australia than in other countries? The following examples explore Australian...
Sep 13, 2021
Case study: Australia Day vs Invasion Day
It seems that every year the debate around the date for our national holiday grows more heated. Let's take a look at some of the...
Sep 12, 2021
Case study: The rise of 'woke'
The story of woke's journey from African-American street slang to politically conservative catchcry is both long and complicated so, for...
Sep 12, 2021
Case study: Nicknames in politics - friend or foe?
If you're an Australian politician, you haven't really made it until you've got a nickname. The examples below explore the purposes of...
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