We are ending this semester with my beloved topic - LANGUAGE.
So surely you know English, right? And you've been exposed to Aussie accent long enough to understand everything, correct?
Let's check ;-)
1. Start off with this clip. It's a simple conversation between two lovable critters, somewhere in the outback. If you can - make a list of uniquely Aussie words and phrases that you can hear in this clip.
Then have a look here, and see if you can find their meanings.
2. English is not the only language which is spoken in Oz. Variety of languages are used in Australia - look them all up here.
3. The language reflects the temperament and personality of the people who use it. A short guide to Aussie Slang this way.
4. Finally read this text on Language and Identity. It's trully brilliant. (click the picture)
For real nerds: language forum discussion on Australian accents and their distribution (it's interesting because there are contributions from Australians of different age, education and background).
This week we have three main topics that begin with the letter "K", and one left from the previous class.
1. Crocodiles
All right, all right, I know, it begins with "C", but let's not be too pedantic, eh? ;-) Please have a look at the "crocodile" link from last week's entry - there will be a few questions on that.
2. Kings Cross (or a loving look at Australian crime scene). This is one of the topics really close to my heart.
Kings Cross is a wild mixture of prostitution and crime, with stylish restaurants and hotels. It has visitors of all kinds and although has some slightly run down areas has a certain quality to it as well.
Kings Cross is also home to one of Sydneys oldest areas, Wooloomooloo. Here, opposite the Artspace Gallery, you will find Harry's Cafe de Wheels, open for 18 hours a day, started in 1945. It is a must visit on the way home after a night out.
CLICK HERE to read more about this district of Sydney and learn some useful tips ;-)
Click the picture below to enter the world of Harry's Cafe de Wheels.
The soul of a nation is frequently defined by its outlaws. We'll be talking at lenght in the future about the likes of Ned Kelly, but tomorrow we'll just have a look at present day criminals and their portrayal in various media (but mostly films).
Have a look at the clips below to get the feel of Kings Cross, but this bit will be done as my presentation, so you don't really need to prepare any answers.
But you will have to do a bit of work for topic #3 ;-)
3. Kangaroos
I expect each team to find 3 unique facts about kangaroos. Don't just copy what you can read on Wikipedia, instead browse the net and find some trivia that may be surprising for the memebers of other teams. Shake them a little, give them a good ride for the points! I'll be awarding originality.
4. Kids' TV programmes and books
You may remember from our second class the clip in which Dylan Moran makes fun of Australians. One thing he says at the end is that the real reason why he came to Oz is to "kill a Wiggle". I promised you then that we'd come back to the topic and I'd explain what Wiggles are.
Well... this time has come.
I'm really, REALLY sorry! I'm about to waste over 3 minutes of your life... But there is no other way to illustrate the sheer horror of Wiggles. And there is no way for you, either, to brace yourself against it.
Here it comes:
Keep in mind that this is a programme aimed at six-year-old kids and younger. And you thought something was internally wrong with Teletubbies... ;-)
OK but jokes aside, The Wiggles is the most popular show for kids in Australia, and normally it looks like that:
(It's a TV programme, but here you have a clip of Wiggles in concert).
Finally go here to read about great Aussie literature for kiddies.
