Lonely Planet Australian Language & Culture

Great book to understand what the Aussies are and what the heck they are saying, and they love, love, love to spend hours with you drinking beers going through the book laughing at themselves. Great book, I left it in Australia for them to continue the fun!

This book is a lot of fun! Our Australian friends really do talk like this.

Lonely Planet's "Australian Phrasebook" is a great introduction to the Australian way of life and speaking for foreigners. Whether you are a tourist going on a trip to the land of Aussies, or a person studying English as used in Australia, this can be a good guide and reading supplement. Traditionally to Lonely Planet phrasebooks, this one gives you a short and easy-read introduction to the origin of Australian English. Then follow the sections dealing with present-day Australian English, Australian culture and regional languages. Firstly, you get acquainted with phonetic and grammar features of Australian English, with British, American and Aboriginal influences, regional varieties of English in this huge country and some borrowings. Here you will also find out how to greet people, get around with Aussie English, and catch the most important colloquial phrases. You will even been able to join the Australians singing their national songs. After you've enriched your general vocabulary it is possible to get to know more about Australian culture and institutions: food and drink, party-culture, sports, urban and rural talk. Whether you'd like to find your way in coffee types or the art of argument "Australian Phrasebook" is helpful enough. It even gives you the recipes of the most popular dishes, so that next time you can throw an Australian party yourself, or just feel sure when ordering damper, pavlova and hedgehog. The regional section gives you a thorough cultural and linguistic insight into numerous aboriginal languages. Here you will read a lot about the culture of indigenous people, as well as find rather short lists of major words you may encounter during your visit to the inner parts of the country. But, unlike the same sections in "British" or "USA" phrasebooks, the "Australian" one does not let you more or less exchange basic phrases with the Aborigines. The strong feature of "Australian Phrasebook" is a great number of examples, comprehensive lists of words and expressions, extensive coverage of spoken language. Written in a simple language and entertaining manner, while being very informative "Australian Phrasebook" is a must-have on your next trip to the land Down Under and will certainly be your good companion, which will easily fit in a pocket.

As an expatriate Aussie searching for a guide to everyday Aussie slang to show my Canadian friends, I can say that this is by far the best one I've seen - and essential if you want to order a beer in Oz! Its section on Australian Aboriginal culture and languages is also excellent and informative for non-Aboriginal Australians as well as visitors - it was put together by a group of respected Australian linguists.

I'm an Aussie who was given this book as part of a going away present. I am living in America for a year. The night before I left my sister and I read to each other parts of this book. We were both in stiches, laughing at parts of our culture, colloquial expressions, and Aussie English which we normally don't give a second thought. This Phrasebook really gives a good insight to many of our 'ways' and explains what we are saying half the time. Is it necessary? Well I know if I speak in America the same way I speak at home no one can understand me! So yes, grab this book if you are heading to Australia, or are just interested in our lifestyle. The book also has a large and interesting section on Aboriginal culture and language. This is something many Australians living in the cities do not know much about. Other topics given a go are, food, wine, sports, and lots of other information about Australia and Aussies!