These articles discuss how Australians have developed their own slang related to the Covid-19 pandemic. While many pandemic slang terms have gone global, there are some that reflect Australia's unique multiple-lockdown experience.
Which of these expressions have lasted the length of the pandemic, and which have faded away? Why do you think some have caught on while others have not?
1. The Guardian Australia - Welcome to Australia's pandemic patois: tell us about your lockdown language (published August 2021)
The article includes a link to the Macquarie Dictionary's blog post about pandemic slang. Do you agree with the expressions they have included?
Useful quotes from the article:
'Such linguistic playfulness is a joyful distraction from the horrors of Covid.'
'The Australian vernacular has a wonderfully unique ability to undercut the enormity, formidability and power of anything that risks bowing into submission the spirit of the convict nation.'
2. ABC News - How coronavirus restrictions have given us a new spin on language (published May 2020)
This article is written by Kate Burridge, professor of linguistics at Monash University; make note of the many metalinguistic terms employed!
Useful quotes from the article:
'Linguistic life has been one willingly given over to language play.' - Linguist David Crystal
3. ABC News - Words like 'iso' and 'quazzie' could be helping Australians cope with the virus (published May 2020)
Useful quotes from the article:
'The use of slang [has created] a sense of community among Australians during the pandemic. It gives us a shared understanding and brings us closer together... It is how we show we are a part of a group.' - Celeste Lawson, Central Queensland University's head of communication
'Dr Lawson said a love of slang was typically Australian; "If there is a way that we can turn a normal word into something that is shorter and easier for us to say, we'll just do that," she said. While it's normal for new words to emerge in language, Dr Lawson said the process was speeding up with an increased use of social media during the COVID-19 pandemic.'
'Dr Lawson said it would be interesting to see whether people continued to use coronavirus slang once the pandemic has passed.'
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