She’ll be right as slang is decoded
TORY SHEPHERD From: The Advertiser March 13, 2009

ADELAIDE may be “heaps good” or “full of it” but our recently arrived students haven’t a clue what we are talking about.

Modern Australian slang can be a minefield for immigrants.

A new website, aimed at overseas students and business immigrants, will help them decode such expressions and words as “bugger”, “geez” and “good on ya”.

What’s your favourite Aussie saying? Let us know.

Katurah de Klerk is an education and applied linguistics expert who lectures to adult immigrants at Adelaide TAFE. She said many new arrivals were afraid to ask the meaning of some of these terms.

“Often this puts them in a position of disadvantage, particularly in the workplace or in learning institutions, because they simply do not understand what others around them are saying,” she said.

Ms de Klerk researched slang terms and has focused on the 50 expressions most commonly used. The website she developed, which can be used on an iPhone, includes audio, translations, context, and learning tools. It has a guide on if some terms, including swear words, should be used in public.

“My research was conducted by recording conversations to check for word and phrase repetition, by analysing television and radio interviews, and by simply keeping notes on slang terms heard in our everyday lives,” Ms de Klerk said.

“We have access to the current top 50 slang terms used socially, and we will monitor the site for feedback to ensure it evolves to embrace emerging slang terms and idioms.”

Emi Yamamuro, an ex-student of Ms de Klerk’s, said it helped her distinguish between some words like “day” and “die”.

“It has helped more in communication with people,” she said.

Visit the website at http://www.e-phrase.com.au.

AUSSIE EXPRESSIONS
She’ll be right

1. Everything will be OK

Bloody Hell

1. To show frustration at someone

2. To show awe

You’ve got no idea

1. Used to explain an amazing story or happening

2. Insult - you don’t know what you’re doing/saying

Good on ya

1. Well done, good job

2. Can be used sarcastically

Heaps good

1. Very good

Dodgy

1. Someone or something that seems not safe, not proper

Bugger it

1. To show frustration

2. Can’t be bothered

Give it a crack

1. Try it, give it go