I don't understand Australian Accent?

Show all answers

siaosi

you won't have any problems,when you are surrounded by them continuosly,you pick up real fast.The best thing about these Aussies is that they will go out of their way to help you out whenever they can.Especially the Banana Benders,"come on the Maroons"

Kate A

I can only presume your American. I think the other Answerers have been very kind to you - have you ever left America before? You'll find people speak English in many countries in the world, and many of them have much stronger accents that Aussies - Scotts for example. Just leave yourself open to the fact that not everyone is as homogensied as parts of the States

Hamish

I'd say it's not our accent, so much, but our colloquialisms that you may have trouble understanding.

This site may help you to better understand Aussie English.
http://www.koalanet.com.au/australian-slang.html

Here are a few examples:
Amber fluid : beer
Ambo : ambulance, ambulance driver
Ankle biter : small child

tentofield

Many Australians - and others - have trouble with American accents even though we hear them regularly on TV or movies. There is, however, a difference between trained actors and ordinary people. People mumble and Australians are particularly good at it.

Just ask, politely, for them to repeat what they have said if you didn't understand. They will happily do so and quickly get the message. You could always claim some genetic deafness as a reason for not understnding if you don't want to comment on the accent but that might cause them to shout at you.

Practise hearing the accent by speaking out loud but with a huge smile on your face, like a grimace - imagine you're looking at the bright sunshine but grinning too.
That's probably how the accent evolved in the first place.

Koko ;

Just ask your friend to repeat what he said. I'm sure he'll understand if you tell him. Well, he would if he was a good friend!

fluttering_by@sbcglobal.net

soon your ear will get used to it and you'll come to love it as i have

rb_cubed

The hardest part about understanding anything, whether it be an accent or just another person is to just listen. Listen carefully with all of your attention. If you are trying to think of what to say in return, then you are not listening. You might also explain to him that he is talking too fast, and there are some words that you are not catching. But the main idea is to listen.

winter.sprinter

You will get used to the accent, but its the slang that can disturb things. On first meeting an American girl see could hardly understand most of what people said becuase people are so used to using slang, just ask questions if you don't understand I doubt anyone would be offended

C.K.

I am married to an Australian and we still have trouble understanding each other over the phone. When we talk to each other face to face it is no problem. There is just something about the way we here that makes it harder to understand when we aren't looking at each other. We have been together for 1 year and we will probably be moving over there soon also. I have spoken to allot of his friends as well as his mother and it is just a phone issue. Don't worry you will be fine face to face.

boonoora

hey yeah me too sometimes, and I am a true blue aussie. you will get used to our way of speaking when you hang around long enough. just like anywhere else in the world you soon pick up on the way people speak and the words they choose to use and what they mean. dont worry we are a bunch of friendly people who like to swear too. cheers

sarcastro1976

You'll get used to it. I went out with a guy from N. England who I could barely understand the first few weeks I knew him; like any "foreign" language, you'll learn what things mean.

kelstar

Hi again Sealove! Understanding the Australian accent - do you mean the pace of speech, the lingo - as in phrases pertaining to Aussies, or the actual accent? Further, where are you from? This would help as i would of thought Aussies are easy to understand (but im one of them so thats just silly!) To answer your question, fear not. Australians (in general) are pretty accomodating. If your friend knew how you felt, im sure he would try to help you understand or at least speak slower - or faster whatever the case may be. I guess it's a case of practise makes perfect, and allowing yourself to learn the accent from your new friend will help - im sure he would like to help you too if you let him! He would be the best resource at this point for you. Ask him! Of course you will have no problems working with the Australian people, im sure we will be more than helpful and understanding of your needs - but you have to tell us so we can help! Better to learn by asking for help than freak out and get left behind out of fear of asking.......*smiles* What will your new job be?

acidten

Try listening to some Australian Radio to familiarize yourself with the accent:
http://www.abc.net.au/ra/

Hope this helps =)

qldtravelguru

huh its english

the words are the same it is just the pitch that varies along with the drag on the vowels...

nothing to it...

just be attentive and listen closely, eventually the penny will drop and you will get it

I live in oz and have the same probelm with the irish, but the above works for me..

pinkmonkeyeden

Hi there,if you have ever left your country you will know that it doesnt take long to adjust,im an Aussie and if you listen you will understand!! I adjusted well in countries that didnt even speak english,i loved it. Think of it as a challenge.By the sounds of it you speak english and so do we,not that different really. Just relax and dont panic,there is no need! By the way this is not meant to offend anyone but all i do to change my accent to british is not pronounce my 'T's. It works!!

Liv

I AM AUSTRALIAN AND PROUD OF IT!! You will get used to our accent once you move over here! Tippical americans!

berniek_2007

Don't worry, you will be fine when you talk to people face to face......I think the accent is harder to understand in certain places......a bit like it is anywhere really.....

HURRICAINE KATRINA

FIIIIIIRST

The P

thats sucks

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: