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Listed under:  Language  >  Language conventions  >  Word meanings  >  Word formation
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The Aussie Accent: whaddya reckon, mate?

  • TLF-IDM015440

Imagine a world where everybody sounded exactly the same when they spoke. What might that be like? Are there 'good' and 'bad' ways to speak? In this clip, listen to the opinions of many people about whether Australians have a bad accent.

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Why do we say the words the way we do?

  • TLF-IDM015529

What kinds of things might influence the way we pronounce words in English? Professor Kate Burridge explains why knowing when 'kilometre' came into English helps us to understand why it is pronounced differently from similar words such as 'kilogram' and 'centimetre'. She also explains what it means to 'barrack' for a team.

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Borrowed words: the processes of language change

  • TLF-IDM015541

Do you know any words from another language? Chances are, you know more than you think you do! English is a polyglot language; one that borrows words from other languages. In this Professor Kate Burridge discusses the origins of the phrases 'short-shrift' and 'lily-livered'.

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New meanings: the processes of language change

  • TLF-IDM015544

Have you ever engaged in a bit of argle-bargle? It's the original form of a colloquialism you might be more familiar with: argy-bargy. But where does this phrase come from? Etymology is the study of the history and evolution of words. In this clip Professor Kate Burridge explains the origins of this curious phrase and other words.

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Efficient speech: the process of language change

  • TLF-IDM015562

Wassup, bro?Well 'pparently I ain't speakin' right.Will thou ha' the truth on't?We often think that only young people speak in abbreviated forms, but the truth is people have been doing this since Anglo-Saxon times! In this clip discover with Professor Kate Burridge some words that belong to the 'zero plurals' group, why ...

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Audio

Evolving English: the impact of television

  • TLF-IDM015582

Imagine if the English language never evolved. What would we be speaking? Possibly Old English, the language of the Anglo-Saxon tribes, a language written down using runes known as the 'futhorc'. English continues to evolve, but it takes the media to bring new words into common usage. So which form of media is responsible ...

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Audio

The Awabakal language of the Newcastle area

  • TLF-IDM015583

The Awabakal language, once common in the area now known as Newcastle, was almost 'lost'. It is being brought back to life using old texts and translations left by an early missionary. In this audio clip, listen to a discussion about the importance of reconstructing the Awabakal language and the challenges this poses.

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Audio

Learning Dharug, Aboriginal language of Sydney

  • TLF-IDM015584

Imagine a time when the Aboriginal language Dharug was the official language spoken in the Sydney area. During this audio clip, reflect on how the language was considered almost 'lost', but (and) discover how Richard Green and others are piecing the Dharug language back together. Find out about how it is being taught at ...

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Audio

When is wrong grammar right?

  • TLF-IDM015885

Do adults or teachers ever correct how you say something? Do they tell you your grammar is wrong? Even when everybody you know says it that way? Find out who is wrong and who is right with language expert Professor Roly Sussex.

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Preserving 'Norf'k Laengwij'

  • TLF-IDM017527

Imagine living on a tiny island thousands of kilometres from the Australian mainland. Would you feel like you were part of Australia? This is the dilemma for people living on Norfolk Island, an Australian territory in the Pacific Ocean. In the past, Norfolk Islanders were expected to learn English - but, as this clip from ...

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Evolving English: where do new words come from?

  • TLF-IDM017545

What do you think the term Spanglish might mean? Or Chinglish? Or Franglais? Our language is constantly changing and one way in which it does so is by 'borrowing' words from other languages. In this clip, learn about our evolving language.

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Pronunciation wars

  • TLF-IDM017844

How much attention must broadcasters pay to the pronunciation of words? Watch language experts and ABC staff discussing the preferred pronunciation of 'Don Quixote', a fictional Spaniard who appears in the novel bearing his name and in several significant artistic works. This clip reveals the importance placed upon the ...

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Interactive Resource

SpellingCity - iTunes app

  • TLF-IDM019711

Learn and practise your spelling, grammar and vocabulary with 10 multimodal spelling games. Build customised word lists and test yourself on your spelling. SpellingCity is a companion app for the www.spellingcity.com website. Free when reviewed 7/6/15.

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Interactive Resource

SpellingCity - Google Play app

  • TLF-IDM019712

Learn and practise your spelling, grammar and vocabulary with 10 multimodal spelling games. Build customised word listsand test yourself on your spelling. SpellingCity is a companion app for the www.spellingcity.com website. Free when reviewed 7/6/15.

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Wombat stew: word work. English

  • TLF-IDS3940

Using vocabulary from Wombat Stew and Possum and Wattle: My Big Book of Australian Words, lessons involve children in classifying long and short words, counting syllables in words, blending and segmenting cvc words beginning with /k/ and /w/, learning strategies for reading and spelling words and creating tongue twisters.

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Interactive resource

Stroke dig: level 2 [Chinese]

  • TLF-IDL1168

Restore stone tablets and character strokes from dig sites. Separate the tablets; notice that each has the faded outline of a Chinese character. Sort the strokes into stroke types according to their shape. Rebuild the characters by using the sorted strokes in the right order. Discover the meaning and sound of the characters. ...

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Interactive resource

Stroke dig: level 3 [Chinese]

  • TLF-IDL2575

Restore stone tablets and character strokes from dig sites. Separate the tablets; notice that each has the faded outline of a Chinese character. Sort the strokes into stroke types according to their shape. Rebuild the characters by using the sorted strokes in the right order. Discover the meaning and sound of the characters. ...

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Interactive resource

Rap machine: underwater city

  • TLF-IDL458

Mix your own rap music. Start with some model lyrics and beats. Change each line to make a new rap about an underwater city. View words in either rap or standard English. Choose a beat. Get a rapper to perform your song. This learning object is the second in a series of three objects that progressively increase in difficulty.

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Interactive resource

Stampede: balloon stampede [Chinese]

  • TLF-IDL469

Look at the structure of Chinese characters appearing on a series of balloons. Classify the structure of each character. Stamp the characters according to their structures. Correct answers will pop the balloons. Note that there are about 400 components (basic characters) in Chinese writing. These components act as building ...

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Interactive resource

Radical hunt: island hunt [Chinese]

  • TLF-IDL470

Search an island for clues to find a rare bird. Find Chinese characters hidden near the things they represent. Notice they are compound characters that share a common radical. Discover the related meanings of each set of characters. Sort all of the characters according to their common radicals. Identify the general pattern ...

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