Australia in 100 words by Amanda Laugesen

To tell the story of Australia you need language, and this book highlights the unique ways that Australian English has morphed and changed (particularly since colonial occupation brought English language to Australian shores), but also with the influence of migration. Investigating different words and phrases with an Australian origin story or flavour, and examining their etymology and change over time becomes a fascinating journey into the ordinary and the sublime.  From the language of convicts to political-speak, the influence of First Nations languages on English vocabulary, the words we use for food and drink, or for each other, and the language of respect and denigration, there is a linguistic journey in this book that crosses from the past to the present. The references of words point to their first appearances in written publications to highlight their arrival at a point in history, but there is acknowledgment that many words have a spoken life before they are published. (Obviously First Nations languages have a history long before their recording in the post-colonisation era of Australia.) For those who have read the classic fiction work The Dictionary of Lost Words, there will be a recognition that very few of the words of women make their way into general usage or publication and Laugesen laments this difficulty too. Telling the language history of Australia using only 100 words or phrases is an ambitious task, and this book has managed to shine a ‘down-under’ spotlight on our history and the way we speak and interact with each other.

I absolutely loved this intriguing journey in language across time. An attempt was made to recognise and highlight state-based variation in language usage, but invariably there will be words or terminology that are ‘foreign’ or unknown depending on the reader‘s home state. This is a book that does not follow an alphabetical or a strict chronological sequence, but it mostly moves from ‘older’ usage to contemporary or possible future changes in Aussie-influenced communication using only 100 focus words or phrases. It probably should be read completely cover-to-cover rather than just used as a reference source. And it is an engaging read this way. It does make an interesting sweep over history though and this might be useful for those with an interest in Australian history as well as language.  Although this might be a book that some Primary-aged children might enjoy (11+), with discussions of bin chickens and bogans, it is probably best for those 13+ - adult.  [Note, as might be expected in an Aussie language-use book, the language of swearing is included. But this is handled well, and the history of expletive use and their place in our culture is explored, but the words do make their appearance on the page.]

Stone the Crows… this is truly bonzer and a ripper read!

Themes: Australian history, language, etymology, lexicography.

Carolyn Hull