第二集 《天氣和生活對澳洲英文的影響》

從日常習慣到待客之道,居家生活中的語言展現了澳洲人如何彼此連結。語言學家語言學家曼斯博士(Dr Howie Manns)將深入剖析移民的聲音如何促使澳洲語言發展得更加多元與包容。

奇妙獨特的澳式英語 是一輯五集影片系列,帶你探索澳洲俚語的歷史、涵義與演變。

連結:

    字幕

    Howie: One day, my Aussie friend said to me,
    “Just put it on the hills!”

    I was confused.
    Then I realised — they meant The Hills Hoist.
    The clothesline.

    From my research, I’ve learned that Aussie English is shaped by how people live — the weather, the land, and the way we make ourselves at home.

    So why do Aussies talk about living the way they do?
    And what does it tell us about life in Australia?

    Let’s find out.

    Talking about the weather

    Aussie homes — and our weather — have shaped how we speak.

    Life in Australia can be harsh and varies across the country.
    In the Northern Territory, there’s no winter — just different types of summer.

    To newcomers, Australian seasons might not make much sense.
    That’s because the traditional seasons — summer, autumn, winter, spring — were imported from Europe.

    These seasons explain how the Earth moves,
    but they don’t reflect what’s really happening here —
    when flowers bloom, when crops should be harvested,
    or when to do controlled burns of bushland.

    Australia’s Indigenous people had a 60,000-year head start observing nature.
    Many had their own seasonal calendars — two, six, even eight seasons.

    These Indigenous seasons are based on natural signs.
    Some last weeks, others span months.

    If you're interested, you can explore your local Indigenous knowledge sources.

    From sunshine to showers in 20 minutes

    Living here means adapting — especially to the weather.

    You might hang your washing in the bright sun
    and get hit by rain 20 minutes later.

    The Hills Hoist has been a backyard staple since the mid-20th century.
    Many Aussies now use “Hills” as shorthand for any clothes-drying.

    Fun fact: In 1945, Sherry Hill complained that traditional washing lines messed up her garden.
    Her husband Lance Hill created a new invention — and the Hills Hoist was born.

    Today we use it for drying clothes, party games, and more.

    Like our weather — and our slang — the Hills Hoist is always spinning.

    Adapting and roaming: the swagman

    Aussies take pride in adaptability and hard work.

    One iconic word is “swagman” (or “swaggie”) —
    a travelling worker from Australia’s 19th and early 20th centuries.

    You might know them from the song Waltzing Matilda.

    Swagmen roamed from place to place looking for work,
    carrying all their belongings rolled up in a blanket, called a “Matilda.”

    After a long day of waltzing — or walking —
    they’d cuddle up with their Matilda for the night.

    Aussie time and social life

    Australia is known for casual living — and that includes party timing.

    If the event is a backyard barbie or a park catch-up,
    the start time is often just a suggestion.

    If it’s at a restaurant or formal venue, though — arrive on time.

    No matter the setting, Aussies love a good chat.
    And we have some great words for that too.

    “Yarn” and “yarning”

    The word “yarn” likely started as a nautical term.

    By the mid-19th century, people in Australia and New Zealand used it to mean chatting or storytelling.

    For many Indigenous Australians, “yarning” has a deeper cultural meaning.

    Since the 1980s, yarning circles have been a safe, respectful space for storytelling and knowledge sharing.

    Whether you call it a “chinwag” or a “yarn,”
    Australians love gathering to share stories in a welcoming place.

    It’s part of what defines our culture —
    being flexible, open, and connected.

    Sharing our way of life

    From surviving extreme climates
    to inventing backyard icons like the Hills Hoist,
    Aussie living shapes Aussie language.

    Whether we’re finding ways to deal with the weather
    or sitting down for a yarn, we share everything — from food to stories.

    And the most wonderful part?
    Everyone — from locals to migrants — can be part of it.

    We’re all shaping and sharing this unique Australian way of life.

    Credits

    Video production company: New Mac Video Agency

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    Published

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    Presented by Howard Manns
    Source: SBS

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