Case study: Pronouns and identity
As we have discussed many times this year, language is always changing. One of the most interesting changes currently happening across...
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Aug 14, 2022
Case study: Aboriginal AE in the media 2022 Part 2
We have already looked at some examples of Aboriginal Australian English in the media this year, but there seem to be more popping up...
Jul 19, 2022
Regional Variation Part 2
We have previously discussed some examples of regional variation in Australian English. Here are some more examples of regional variation...
May 25, 2022
Attitudes to PC language
The following articles discuss attitudes towards politically correct language in Australian society. ABC News - Australians say...
Jan 7, 2022
Harry Potter and the Debatable 'Teenage Slang'
Activity: Read the Reddit post below featuring a 'Gen Z translation' of an excerpt from the first Harry Potter book. Discuss the lexical...
Dec 9, 2021
Case study: What is 'yassification'?
You may be familiar with the slang collocation 'glow up' (popular in 2020) meaning 'to undergo a physical transformation for the better'....
Nov 19, 2021
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...
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,...
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
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 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 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: 'Deadly' and 'mob' in Aboriginal English
Adjective 'deadly' and common noun 'mob' are both frequently used in Aboriginal Australian English and have become recognisable markers...
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...
Sep 12, 2021
Case study: 'Vaxx', 'jab' and the pandemic's enduring influence on our language
These articles both make reference to the rise in linguistic creativity among Australians when referring to the Covid-19 vaccination....
Sep 12, 2021
Case study: Adelaide footballer Cam Ellis-Yolmen and 'uncle'
In this tweet from August 2021, Adelaide footballer Cam Ellis-Yolmen congratulates fellow Indigenous player Eddie Betts on his 350th game...
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