- HONEST HISTORY - https://honesthistory.net.au/wp -

Laugesen, Amanda: Diggerspeak

Laugesen, Amanda

Diggerspeak: the Language of Australians at War, Oxford University Press, South Melbourne, 2005

Wars have been highly significant in the development of Australian English, generating new words and meanings. Rather than a collection of military slang or jargon, this monograph draws together the diverse words produced and used by ordinary Australians at war, and examines their ongoing and contemporary usage. The language of Australians at war reveals a great deal about the experiences and understandings of war, and is also a fascinating insight into Australian culture and values. (blurb)

The author spoke about her book on radio. She wrote an article also. There is continuing work in New Zealand on this subject.