ICONIC AUSTRALIAN phrases such as Strweth or G’day mate are to be resigned to episodes of Neighbours and adverts for Castlemaine XXXX if predictions by Bruce Moore of the Australian National University are to be believed.
The nasal twang is being lost as Australians feel more confident with a standard accent and strong, over exaggerated sounds are no longer felt to be needed by Australians in creating their cultural identity.
The accent first evolved in the late 19th century as a snub to the use of the Queen’s English.
The question remains however, will Skippy still be saving little Jimmy from the billabong?
