Today or To Die?

Thursday, May 8, 2008

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 :).

**from the 1st ed. of e-loen

9 comments:

luthfia said...

miss nina, give us more funny story of vowel pronunciation... we want more, we want more...

Puput said...

haha. yeah, it will be more difficult for us who can't notice which bule comes from America, British, and Australia.

Anonymous said...

well, it gets even more challenging when you are talking to a non-native English speaker Westerner....
oh, how my partner loves Inspector Clousseau of the Pink Panther... Do you know that character, Nin?

Anonymous said...

@luthfia,
i will try to look for it..

@puput,
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..

@teresa,
yea i know that guy...he is really funny..english with french accent, right?

Anonymous said...

sory mbak aku pake bahasa indonesia ajalah..
nganu berhubung aku pengin bisa bahasa inggris boleh ya aku simpen linknya..or aku minta privat dueh..please..

Anonymous said...

@alfin,
boleh disimpen kok link-nya..

Anonymous said...

usul gimana kalau ada bahaa indonesianya..biar aku ada tambahan kosakata gitu thanks..

Anonymous said...

@alfin,
oke, nanti aku beri glossary aja untuk daftar kata-kata sulit..di posting berikutnya sudah ada..menunggu e-loen terbit dulu fin..

smartilicious said...

i had two years dealing with australians...

hohoho...weird accent they have...
hard to be understood by indonesian ears used to listening american accent (via hollywood films :(( )

say 'rummeiet' for 'room mate'...
ck ck ck...