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History of Australia & Changes in the English Language - Coggle Diagram
History of Australia & Changes in the English Language
"Early Colonial Period" (1850s–1901)
Main features
Growth of Australian settlements, the gold rushes, and the expansion of agriculture and industry.
Increasing influence of Irish, Scottish, and Welsh immigrants alongside British settlers.
Development of a more distinct Australian identity, with a focus on self-reliance and egalitarianism.
Changes to English
Further development of Australian English, characterized by a more relaxed, colloquial style, with a notable rise in the use of slang.
The influence of Irish English, particularly in the use of phrasing and accent, became stronger during this period.
Vocabulary Expansion: Terms like "billy" (camping kettle), "boozed" (drunk), and "bloke" (man) started to become common.
Prominent Figures:
Henry Lawson: Renowned for his works in Australian English, capturing the rural Australian experience.
Banjo Paterson: Known for his poetry and ballads, many of which used Australian vernacular.
Key Achievement
Increased linguistic independence from British English, as Australian identity began to be expressed through its language.
Federation and Nation-Building (1901–1940s)
Key Achievement
Emergence of a distinct Australian identity in language, politics, and culture post-federation.
Main Features
Federation of Australia in 1901, uniting the six colonies into the Commonwealth of Australia.
Development of infrastructure, urbanization, and Australia’s emergence as an independent nation.
The impact of World War I and World War II, with soldiers returning home and new international connections forming.
Changes to English
Australian English continued to evolve, with an increasing emphasis on informality and the popularization of Australian slang.
Post-WWI, Australian English began to incorporate influences from American English, especially through the growing influence of Hollywood and American culture.
Phonetic Change: Gradual development of the Australian accent as a more distinct feature, differentiating it from both British and American accents.
Prominent Figures
: Premier of New South Wales, influential in shaping political language during the early 20th century.
Dame Nellie Melba: Famous Australian opera singer, contributing to international cultural recognition of Australia.
Early Settlement and Colonization (1788–1850s)
Changes to English
The language of the settlers was influenced by convict speech, the Irish dialect, and the English spoken by British soldiers and officers.
Early Australian English began to form, influenced by both formal British English and the less formal language of the convicts and settlers.
Vocabulary: Introduction of terms related to the new environment, like "bush," "outback," and "track."
Main Features
First Fleet arrives in 1788 with British convicts, soldiers, and settlers.
Early European settlement was concentrated around Sydney Cove.
The English language brought to Australia by the British settlers and convicts.
Prominent Figures
Captain Arthur Phillip: First Governor of New South Wales and leader of the First Fleet.
William Dawes: An officer and scientist who documented early Australian language and interactions with Indigenous people.
Key Achievement
Foundation of Australian English as a distinct variety, marked by regional accents and vocabulary.
Modern Australia (1980s–Present)
Main Features
Australia becomes increasingly integrated into the global economy, with growing connections to Asia, Europe, and the U.S.
The rise of technology, the internet, and the influence of social media.
Indigenous Australian recognition and acknowledgment of Australia's history through movements like Reconciliation and Land Rights.
Changes to English
Digital Age: New forms of communication such as text messaging, emails, and social media bring about changes in language, with the adoption of abbreviations (e.g., "lol," "brb," "bff") and the widespread use of emojis.
Australian English continues to evolve, with a greater mix of global influences, including American, British, and Asian cultures.
Increased awareness of Indigenous languages and the development of inclusive language (e.g., gender-neutral terms like "partner" instead of "husband" or "wife").
Australian slang continues to thrive, with phrases like "no worries," "arvo" (afternoon), and "mateship" forming a key part of the national character.
Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett: Internationally recognized actresses whose global fame has helped bring Australian English into the spotlight.
Rupert Murdoch: Media mogul who, through his influence, has played a role in shaping global English-language media.
Key Achievement
Globalization of Australian English, blending traditional local slang with global media, social trends, and multicultural influences
Post-War Period (1940s–1970s)
Main Features
Post-WWII economic expansion and a major wave of immigration from Europe, particularly Italy, Greece, and Germany.
Australia’s increasing participation in international affairs, including the Korean War, Vietnam War, and the shift towards the U.S. as a key ally.
Changes to English
Multicultural Influence: English was further enriched by the languages of newly arrived immigrants, contributing new words and expressions (e.g., "pasta," "biscotti").
Rise of Youth Slang: Post-war Australian youth culture contributed to the development of teen slang and terms like "groovy," "cool," and "chill."
Increased use of American English expressions, particularly through media and the influence of the U.S. military.
Prominent Figures
Daryl Somers: TV personality known for popularizing Australian slang on national television (e.g., Hey Hey It's Saturday).
Bob Hawke: Prime Minister of Australia (1983–1991), famous for his down-to-earth language and colloquial expressions.
Key Achievement
Increasingly diverse vocabulary reflecting Australia’s multicultural society and the growing dominance of American pop culture.
