G’day mate! When I was in college my professor once told the class a funny story about Australian English. I think many of you notice that Australians have their own English accent, which is different from American or British English.
So this is how the story goes. I think my prof modified it but I still think it is funny, anyway.
Australian guy : Are you going to the hospital to die?
Indonesian prof : [surprised] No, I’m not going there to die.
Australian guy : I mean, are you going to the hospital TO DIE?
Indonesian prof : I’m not going there TO DIE, okay? [aggravated]
Australian guy : I was asking if you are going to the hospital to die or tomorrow.
Indonesian prof : Oh, you mean TODAY?
Australian guy : Yea, to die, wednes-die.
Vowel pronunciation is the most significant difference between American, British, and Australian English. Elongate your vowels [Eel-oon-gayte uur vowls]. Note that words ending with [ay] sound are pronounced [ie]. So, practice “to-die” so you will be ready tomorrow :).
May 8th, 2008 at 4:36 am
miss nina, give us more funny story of vowel pronunciation… we want more, we want more…
May 8th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
haha. yeah, it will be more difficult for us who can’t notice which bule comes from America, British, and Australia.
May 9th, 2008 at 9:26 am
well, it gets even more challenging when you are talking to a non-native English speaker Westerner…. BR/oh, how my partner loves Inspector Clousseau of the Pink Panther… Do you know that character, Nin?
May 9th, 2008 at 9:32 am
@luthfia,BR/i will try to look for it..BR/BR/@puput,BR/but as long as he/she speaks english it wouldn’t really matter, hehe..sometimes they sound the same to us..they speak english, that is, hahah..BR/BR/@teresa,BR/yea i know that guy…he is really funny..english with french accent, right?
May 11th, 2008 at 9:02 am
sory mbak aku pake bahasa indonesia ajalah..BR/nganu berhubung aku pengin bisa bahasa inggris boleh ya aku simpen linknya..or aku minta privat dueh..please..
May 12th, 2008 at 8:43 am
@alfin,BR/boleh disimpen kok link-nya..
May 15th, 2008 at 12:05 am
usul gimana kalau ada bahaa indonesianya..biar aku ada tambahan kosakata gitu thanks..
May 15th, 2008 at 7:13 am
@alfin,BR/oke, nanti aku beri glossary aja untuk daftar kata-kata sulit..di posting berikutnya sudah ada..menunggu e-loen terbit dulu fin..
May 27th, 2008 at 6:18 am
i had two years dealing with australians…BR/BR/hohoho…weird accent they have…BR/hard to be understood by indonesian ears used to listening american accent (via hollywood films :(( )BR/BR/say ‘rummeiet’ for ‘room mate’…BR/ck ck ck…