How to Talk Australian

Would you want to know how other cultures actually see Aussies?

How To Talk Australians, an eight-part online comedy miniseries released back in 2014, attempts to let the Aussies see how other people look at them – in this case, through the eyes of of a call centre back in India.

The fictional Delhi College of Linguistics in India teaches aspiring Australian migrants very important elements of Aussie culture such as lingo and slangs, rhyming and even how to pass the citizenship test. In case you were wondering, the whole series was directed by Tony Rogers and written by him and Rob Hibbert.

Watch the whole series (each episode taking 6 minutes, more or less) below…

Episode 1: G’DAY KNACKERS

It is “an introduction to the Australian vernacular, with particular emphasis on their penchant for expletives and derogatory put-downs”.

Episode 2: GRUB

This is “a’terrifying look at the Aussie diet. Includes an Indian take on ‘How to build your own barbie.’”.

Episode 3: RHYMING SLANG

It is described as “like the mother tongue itself, the Brits invented Rhyming Slang, the Australians have turned it into an art form. From Barry Crocker (shocker) to Germaine Greer (beer). Introduction of ‘Chopper’ the talking cockie.”

Episode 4: FAMOUS AUSTRALIANS

This talks about “truly C-class impersonations of Pauline Hanson and a clumsy re-enactment of a Ned Kelly hold-up. Maharaji Davo takes us through the car used by Mel Gibson in Mad Max. The students also partake in a dress-as-a-famous-Aussie day.”

Next Page: More Episodes!

Episode 5: NICKNAMES – HELLO CHOPPER

This is about “‘Chopper’ the talking cockie takes over the class with his incessant foul mouth/beak. The students adopt some anglicised names and then convert them/Australianise them to varying levels of success. Eg. Gibson to ‘Gibbo’, Leslie to ‘Leso’”.

Episode 6: THE SLACKARSE COUNTRY

This is “a’deep and disturbing look at the great Australian beach holiday and their obsession with National holidays. Includes a re-enactment of a camping trip to Rosebud”.

Episode 7: DUNNY BUDGIES & BUDGIE SMUGGLERS

It is “a’way-too detailed account of how pervasive the humble blowfly is on Australian life. Also further examines Aussie beach culture”.

Episode 8: CITIZENSHIP TEST

This is about how “the students sit a mock Australian Citizenship Test. We also see the students graduation. The series finishes when their beloved talking cockie ‘Chopper’ dies. They bury the stiff cockie in the college yard whilst singing ‘Advance Australia Fair’”.

Was the series spot-on? Which episode is your favourite?

Clare Whitfield Chief Editor

Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work.

See Full Bio