English Language 4.1 - Language Variation in Australian Society

Question 1

Standard Australian English

Answer 1

• Dominant variety used by the vast majority of speakers
• Mutually intelligible
• Most widely disseminated and understood
• Neutral in style – not unique to a region or social group
• Prestige variety
• Promoted and used as the norm in institutions, education, media, legal and government contexts
• Desirable educational target

Question 2

Aboriginal Australian English

Answer 2

• Complex, rule governed variety of English, spoken by 80% of Indigenous Australians
• Mutually intelligible between varieties
• Marker of Aboriginal identity
• Connects Aboriginal people to culture, country and community
• Reflects values, beliefs and attitudes of language user
• Community developed
• Maintain richness and connection to traditional languages
• Holds knowledge and culture

Question 3

Ethnocultural Varieties

Answer 3

• Contain features of Standard Australian English combined with some non-English language features
• Multiculturalism → vast increase in cultural diversity and the desire for individuals to freely express their cultural identity
• Embrace cultural heritage and express niche identities by using Ethnocultural varieties
• Forges group solidarity and fosters sense of belonging
• Ethnicity is a crucial marker of social identity
• Carry covert norms for users
• Reflect identity and membership of communities
• Appropriate and important
• Essential in reflecting and acknowledging cultural communities in contemporary Australia

Question 4

Teenspeak

Answer 4

• Embraces and influences social change
• Affiliated with youth
• Playful choices
• Reflect and construct identity