My Australian friends all seem to
think that the way I talk is quite comical. I’ve never really thought much
about it…I always thought I talked normal. One of their favorite games to play
with me is to put on a West Virginian accent (I’m from Ohio) and have a crack
at me. In retaliation, I assume my best high pitched British accent (I don’t
quite have the Australian accent down yet), and have a go at them. It’s good
fun for all involved.
One of the biggest differences is in
the way we say certain words or phrases. For instance, rather than thank you
they say TA or cheers. Instead of your welcome, they say no worries. In place
of lots, it’s heaps. Pretty basic stuff…I’m cool with it. It gets trickier though.
In a normal, American greeting, we would say “how are you doing?” For them it’s
“how are you going?” Let me tell you, this really threw me off the first few
days. Instead of answering with a “good, thank you,” I always found myself
wanting to answer with a destination.
Okay, here’s another good one. For an
American, if we wanted to discern whether or not someone enjoyed an event, we would
ask “how do you like it?” For an Australian though, it’s “how do you find it.”
This one is a killer. Initially I would try to answer with a “well, someone
told me about it,” or “I found it over the internet,” or even just a puzzled "what are you talking about?" That has brought about
quite a few laughs.
Then there is the realm of the
downright outrageous. For instance, the phrase “good on you” (pronounced
goodunya). This is the American equivalent of “well done.” Another one that my
Tasmanian friend Dan says is “tea” in place of “dinner.” Then there’s the word
aluminum, which they pronounce (Al you men e um). Strange, eh? And then, the
word that by far causes the most controversy…A word that’s very utterance
causes me to cringe inside… “Lolly.” This word essentially means candy. Now,
other than in jest, I refuse to say this word…Mainly because I can only imagine
a five year old saying it. The Australians have a lot of things right…But not
the word Lolly. I will argue this until the day I die.
In consideration of the above, I have realized a rather disturbing fact. Gradually, the very same words and phrases that I have been so quick to make fun of have been creeping their way into my vocabulary. I am rendered powerless in resisting the catchyness of words like "goodunya" and "cheers." Perhaps the joke is on me?
