Customer Reviews

Lonely Planet Australian Language & Culture (Language Reference)

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I'm an Aussie who was given this book as part of a going away present. I am living in America for a year. The night before I left my sister and I read to each other parts of this book. We were both in stiches, laughing at parts of our culture, colloquial expressions, and Aussie English which we normally don't give a second thought. This Phrasebook really gives a good insight to many of our 'ways' and explains what we are saying half the time. Is it necessary? Well I know if I speak in America the same way I speak at home no one can understand me! So yes, grab this book if you are heading to Australia, or are just interested in our lifestyle. The book also has a large and interesting section on Aboriginal culture and language. This is something many Australians living in the cities do not know much about. Other topics given a go are, food, wine, sports, and lots of other information about Australia and Aussies!

As an expatriate Aussie searching for a guide to everyday Aussie slang to show my Canadian friends, I can say that this is by far the best one I've seen - and essential if you want to order a beer in Oz! Its section on Australian Aboriginal culture and languages is also excellent and informative for non-Aboriginal Australians as well as visitors - it was put together by a group of respected Australian linguists.

Lonely Planet's "Australian Phrasebook" is a great introduction to the Australian way of life and speaking for foreigners. Whether you are a tourist going on a trip to the land of Aussies, or a person studying English as used in Australia, this can be a good guide and reading supplement. Traditionally to Lonely Planet phrasebooks, this one gives you a short and easy-read introduction to the origin of Australian English. Then follow the sections dealing with present-day Australian English, Australian culture and regional languages.

Firstly, you get acquainted with phonetic and grammar features of Australian English, with British, American and Aboriginal influences, regional varieties of English in this huge country and some borrowings. Here you will also find out how to greet people, get around with Aussie English, and catch the most important colloquial phrases. You will even been able to join the Australians singing their national songs. After you've enriched your general vocabulary it is possible to get to know more about Australian culture and institutions: food and drink, party-culture, sports, urban and rural talk. Whether you'd like to find your way in coffee types or the art of argument "Australian Phrasebook" is helpful enough. It even gives you the recipes of the most popular dishes, so that next time you can throw an Australian party yourself, or just feel sure when ordering damper, pavlova and hedgehog.

The regional section gives you a thorough cultural and linguistic insight into numerous aboriginal languages. Here you will read a lot about the culture of indigenous people, as well as find rather short lists of major words you may encounter during your visit to the inner parts of the country. But, unlike the same sections in "British" or "USA" phrasebooks, the "Australian" one does not let you more or less exchange basic phrases with the Aborigines.

The strong feature of "Australian Phrasebook" is a great number of examples, comprehensive lists of words and expressions, extensive coverage of spoken language. Written in a simple language and entertaining manner, while being very informative "Australian Phrasebook" is a must-have on your next trip to the land Down Under and will certainly be your good companion, which will easily fit in a pocket.

This is an interesting book for someone who has not been to Australia. Although there are variations between Aussie English and Standard Australian English, visitors will mostly encounter SAE. "Aussie" English is used in informal settings and is useful to know - but it is not as common as this book would suggest. The Australian accent may be difficult for some visitors and the use of works describing local peculiarities (beer's, local areas, etc) may seem strange at first. The section on Aboriginal languages is extremely good and gives an accurate introduction to this unique field. However, again be aware that the majority of Australians have no knowledge of Aboriginal languages and very few white Australians actually speak an Aboriginal language. The Anangu languages of the central Australian Outback are spoken by people living in communities in areas that require a permit to visit. You will hear these languages in communities that are attached to visitor centers or by Aboriginal guides to these areas. But do not assume that because book devotes half its content to Aboriginal languages that you will hear these in every day speech. Overall a good introduction to Australian "culture" and speech, but too much emphasize for a book of this kind on Aboriginal languages.

This book is a lot of fun! Our Australian friends really do talk like this.

Great book to understand what the Aussies are and what the heck they are saying, and they love, love, love to spend hours with you drinking beers going through the book laughing at themselves. Great book, I left it in Australia for them to continue the fun!

This work surprised me enormously and completely exceeded my expectations. For students of varieties of English, or those specifically interested in Australia and things Australian, this is the absolute best than can be found and in a small, portable format. The addenda on Aboriginal languages are marvellous, and my only question is why there was not a reference to Aboriginals in Northern Queensland, while there were sections concerning New South Wales and Victoria, where I would have supposed their cultural presence less visible. Even so, I was absolutely delighted with this item and recommend it to one and all. It is by far the best Lonely Planet language guide I've seen up to now!

Just to correct a few of the many mistakes: Bathers are NOT referrred to as togs in South Australia. Non alcholic drinks are most commonly referred to as cool drinks in South Australia, NOT soft drinks. In Tasmania, all non animal objects are commonly referred to as "him", NOT just trees. Terms such as idiot were NOT invented by Australian politicians! Relatives ARE often referred to as relies.

The author has obviously not researched the basics of geographical variations and in the cases cited above, appears to have just confabulated!

This was written by Lucinda Schmidt, (Sydney Morning Herald):

'Everywhere she goes, Susan Butler carries a little notebook and pen to jot down things she hears and reads. As publisher of the Macquarie Dictionary, she is constantly on the hunt for new words to add to the next edition.

'"The main source is the humble, low-technology way," says Butler, 60, who has worked on the Australian dictionary since it began in 1970. "We read, listen to the radio, listen at parties and jot down notes."'

This may help to explain the numerous glaring mistakes and omissions in Australian slang that were to be found in the Macquarie Dictionary until more recent updates.