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Old 07-22-2007, 06:56 AM   #2
Nira
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Hi Sabrina, Australian English uses British spelling, not American, although this is changing because of the influence of American media and music. In regards to accent, the Australian accent is uniform across Australia, there are no regional accents. In regards to vocabulary, slang is widely used by all social classes, from the Prime Minister to labourers. There are 3 types of Australian English: Broad Australian, used by the lower classes, General Australian, used by the middle classes, and Educated Australian, spoken by the upper classes. Having said this, Australia does not have the class differences that Britain has, or classes based on education that America has, society is more egalitarian. There are some words derived from Aboriginal terms ("Billabong: water hole"). Diminutives are used a lot ("Barbie: barbecue"; "Mozzies: Mosquitoes", "Aussie: Australian"). Australian English is very colourful and interesting. I hope this helps you, if you need any specific thing, just ask and I'll be happy to tell you or I'll find out for you.

Cheers

Nira
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