Australian slang in Victorian high schools

Abstract

ABSTRACT Older Australians commonly complain about the deterioration of Australian slang as a national vocabulary, especially through its apparent lack of adoption by younger cohorts. To many Australians, Australian slang forms a core part of what they conceptualize as Australian culture and identity, and so fears of the loss of Australian vocabulary are linked to a loss of Australian identity itself. This article examines the validity of claims that young Australians aren’t adopting Australian slang terms and explores young Australians’ relationship to Australian slang. The data have been drawn from a series of group interviews conducted in 2023 with high school students in Victoria aged 13–18. Results show that while some items of Australian slang (cobber, bonza) are not familiar to participants, other expressions are still used to varied extents. In examining meta-pragmatic commentary from young Australians on Australian slang, we see that for some young Australians, their conception of an Australian identity as tied to Australian slang is not one that necessarily directly includes themselves, at least at this stage in their life. Consequently, Australian slang often takes on an ironic performative role, being used by young Australians for comedic effect, or to play up an Australian character.