British vs Australian Accent: From local customs to diverse accents, elevating the career to the next level is full of experiences and opportunities. To overcome the language barrier and jell up with the locals, it is necessary to understand the nuances of British and Australian accents. The English language is the dominant spoken language that has over 100 dialects. For now, let’s focus on two English accents – the one spoken in the Land Down Under and another one uttered by members of the Royal Family.
If you are a student planning to study in the UK or Australia, this blog is just for you! Let’s identify some of the major differences between British and Australian accents.
This Blog Includes:
British Accent: Elegant and Diverse
The accent of the United Kingdom’s English is elegant and diverse just like a melting pot of accents with its unique charms. The range of pronunciations is quite diverse in British English. They actually follow the received pronunciation concept or rather called RP. The Received Pronunciation is often considered as the standard British accent. It is characterized by its clear articulation. You will commonly hear it in the South of England.
When British settlers started living in North America, they started following the ways of the UK’s elite class. Generally speaking, British speakers drop the /r/ sound. The exception is only when the /r/ is not followed by vowel sounds. For example: mar /mʌː/, marring /’mʌːrɪŋ/. Beyond England, the accents may vary from the RP in Scotland and Wales.
Cockney is quite common in British accent specifically in East London. It is known for its distinct vowel sounds and rhyming slang. Understanding Cockney can be a fun linguistic challenge for international students studying in the UK and trying to adapt the British cultural etiquette.
The population in the UK is quite diverse and speaks more than 300 different languages. Their aim is to keep enhancing the English language further and further. Thanks to the interconnectivity of the world, all countries are influenced by each other, which affects word choice, preferences, trends, and more.
Also Read: Check out some of the Museums in the UK that You Shouldn’t Miss!
Australian Accent: Laid-back and Friendly
Australia is generally characterised by its laid-back, friendly, and welcoming nature. The Australian accent is something that is followed across the globe by international media. It is the most common, widely recognised, relaxed, and open pronunciation. If you are co-living in accommodation for Indian students in United Kingdom, then there are various Aussie slang and patterns that can enhance the beauty of conversations.
Just like in the UK, different regions in Australia may have distinctive accents. For example, if you are using student housing in Australia, then you must feel that the accents in Sydney and Melbourne can differ subtly. Australian English is not a rhotic variety which means Aussie speakers too drop the /r/ sound.
Australian English was first developed back in 1788 when the first settlers arrived. These settlers were British and Irish and that is the reason why the Aussie English accent is a perfect blend of both the settlers. Being a student in Australia you must be learning the ways to jell up with the locals by adapting to the Australian culture, learning Australian etiquette, and much more.
British and Australian English Accents and Pronunciation
British English and Australian English are the most common when it comes to pronunciation and grammar. Let’s identify the significant differences between British English and Australian English.
- British and Australian English both have a soft ‘R’ sound and are sometimes pronounced as A in both due to their softness.
- The ‘A’ is elongated more in Australian English than in British English. For example, ‘car’ is pronounced as ‘Caah’ in Australia and ‘Cah’ in British English.
- Australians usually swap their Ts with Ds. For example, ‘Better’ is pronounced ‘Bettah’ in the UK and ‘Beddah’ in Australia.
- In Australian English and British English both ‘T’ is typically pronounced as ‘Tj’. For example ‘YouTube’ is pronounced as ‘YouTjube’.
- Both American English and Australian English speakers pronounce ‘O’ with a heavy ‘O’ sound. For example, ‘sorry’ will be pronounced with an emphasis on ‘o’
- If ‘o’ appears at the end of a sentence or a word, it will be replaced by a softer ‘eu’ sound. For example, ‘No’ is pronounced as “Neuw” in the UK and “Neuh” in Australia.
Also Read: Don’t miss to check out our blog on How to Spend Free Time As an International Student.
FAQs on British vs Australian Accent
The significant difference between British English and Australian English is all about pronouncing ‘o’, ‘a’, and ‘r’.
It’s okay to adopt the local accent, but being natural is the key. Rather than mimicking, focus on understanding and incorporating local phrases naturally over time. Be yourself, and let the accent come naturally.
Watching movies and series in British and Australian English is the key to learning any language.
The time varies depending on the person and time given in learning that particular language.
Indeed, while these expressions are part of Australian culture, they might not be used in everyday conversations. Australians do use slang, but it’s diverse and can vary regionally.
Hope you liked our blog on British vs Australian Accent. Embark on your study abroad journey with comfort and convenience. Reach out to Fly Homes now at 1800572118 to secure the finest accommodation abroad.
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