Strine-American slang dictionaries

by **Parker Gabriel** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 12:00 pm

Are there any on-line or hard-copied dictionaries that can translate American slang to Strine (Australian) slang, or the other way around?

Reason being possibly making Dr. Fawn's phrasing more authentic, since he is Strine. Not many Americans know that a "bluey" refers to a redhead, for example, and most--though, thankfully, not all!--have no idea what a Waltzing Matilda is.

by **chrisbishop** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 3:39 pm

We have a couple of Australian members on this forum - I'm sure they could provide us with an answer concerning those two questions.

As for a dictionary - or Australian references in general - maybe there's something to be found online?

Website · by **Sage** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 10:07 pm

There are American to English slang dictionaries, so must be an equivalent for Australian slang. I've always just googled for stuff like that.

I'd be more inclined not to bother with slang you'd need to explain, it can get tedious and patronising for readers (and yes non-australians do know Waltzing Matilda, I've heard it sung on a US show). Fawn presumably is well travelled so has probably lost much of the strine element of his speech anyway.

by **Elentari** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 6:03 am

There are sites that list common Oz expressions - not sure about an actual dictionary though. :grin:

In any case a dictionary (or list) does not guarantee Strine is used correctly. It's true someone with red hair (usually male - I've honestly never come across any female with the nickname) is quite often called Blue. That's why when Richard Branson started up his Oz arm of Virgin Airlines he called it Virgin Blue (NB for the benefit of anyone not familiar with this company, the planes are painted red). :wink:

My thoughts are, in the Spectrum world another person referred to by the colour blue can only cause confusion! :!:

by **Parker Gabriel** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 6:38 pm

No real confusion; at least not so far as I can see. You'd be surprised how many people probably wanted there to be a Spectrum senior staff member called "Captain Red."

But it doesn't quite have the same ring as "Captain Scarlet." Thanx, Colonel, for NOT including a "Captain Red" thus far.

There's no reason, though, for the services of a "Lieutenant Maroon" or even a "Captain Maroon" not being available. And no, not as in "Captain Moron" as Bugs Bunny would have said!

by **MMK** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 8:05 pm

Parker Gabriel wrote:There's no reason, though, for the services of a "Lieutenant Maroon" or even a "Captain Maroon" not being available. And no, not as in "Captain Moron" as Bugs Bunny would have said!

If there was, then someone could say "What a Maroon!" :grin:

*clears throat*

I don't think there is an American to Strine dictionary, but just about all I could find was a couple of sites that are English to Strine:
http://www.koalanet.com.au/australian-slang.html
http://www.australiatravelsearch.com.au/trc/slang.html
Sorry I wasn't very helpful.

Website · by **Sage** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:26 pm

Well I guess those would still give a general idea; as apparently Americans are fairly fluent in English.

by **Parker Gabriel** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 8:47 pm

There are points of dialect that you don't hear in the States, only in "Oz." That's how I mean.

Website · by **Sage** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:41 pm

Yes I'm well aware of that; as it's the entire point of the discussion.

I meant that by translating the 'strine' into English [rather than directly 'American'] you would still get the essence of the meaning. So it could still be of use, even though it's not directly what you were looking for.

by **Marion** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 9:51 pm

English is English, wherever she is spoke.
But the regional accents (national or international) can be a problem. For instance, I married a Londoner who had not travelled much around his home country - and when we went 'up north' for our holidays he had difficulty understanding what the other English people were saying to him, at times. He would resort to looking helpless and saying : I come from London, please speak to the wife... and leaving it to me to translate. :roll:

I have a Strine-English dictionary (a wonderful Christmas present from an Australian friend!) and there is a lot in there that I've used in my time - so Strine isn't THAT difficult...

by **MMK** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:03 pm

Marion wrote:I have a Strine-English dictionary (a wonderful Christmas present from an Australian friend!) and there is a lot in there that I've used in my time - so Strine isn't THAT difficult...

A dictionary... what a lovely Christmas present...

... Almost as good as... socks!

I wonder how much Strine is used in the CS universe... also, if Doctor Fawn would speak in Strine if he ever swore (he doesn't often swear mind you, I can't remember if he's ever spoken any 'obsenities'... in fanfics especially)

by **Marion** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:06 pm

MMK says:

A dictionary... what a lovely Christmas present...
... Almost as good as... socks!

I meant it - it was a very good present that I was most happy to receive.
The last person to give me socks for Christmas very quickly became an ex-boyfriend. :wink:

Website · by **Sage** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:12 pm

I got a book on grammar for my birthday (as per request), so a dictionary would make me warm & fuzzy inside too.

Can't remember being given socks, but we have a family tradition of always getting new pyjamas.

Regional accents can be problematic, which is why I tend to avoid using really specific terms unless the meaning is/can be made obvious from the context.
I have friends from around the country, the world even, so am used to the mix of language. But sometimes still have to check; if only to make sure I'm not using terms unfamiliar/OOC to non-Brits.

by **MMK** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:15 pm

Sage wrote:Regional accents can be problematic, which is why I tend to avoid using really specific terms unless the meaning is/can be made obvious from the context.
I have friends from around the country, the world even, so am used to the mix of language. But sometimes still have to check; if only to make sure I'm not using terms unfamiliar/OOC to non-Brits.

I'm getting better with what may not be familiar to non-Brits

.
Whats helping me even more is talking to people on this forum :-D

.

Website · by **Sage** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:49 pm

Me too; I've had people comment that it's easy to tell that particular characters are American, when I wasn't really that conciously of it while writing. It just seems to flow sometimes.

It does help. I'm part of other online communities too (livejournal and such) with even greater representation. So you do absorb it.