G’day, mate! And now we’ve alienated any antipodean readers with a lazy cliché, we should point out that Australian English is more than just an accent or a few Aussie phrases. So what does it involve exactly? And how do Australian and British English differ? Let us explain.
Sometimes shortened to ‘AuE’ or ‘en-AU’, Australian English is a set of English dialects spoken and written in Australia. It has been recognised as a distinct dialect since the early 19th century, by which time it had diverged from the British English spoken by the first colonists in Australia.
In many ways, Australian and British English have a lot in common. However, there are some differences in terms of vocabulary, spelling and grammar:
In formal writing, however, Australian and British are very similar.
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If you already know British English, Australian English should feel familiar. As mentioned above, though, there are a few differences you should look out for. Keep the following tips in mind:
Finally, you can also have your work proofread by someone who knows Australian English. A native speaker will be able to spot issues you may miss otherwise, so it is always worthwhile.
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