Austral English A dictionary of Australasian words, phrases and usages

Edward Ellis Morris's Austral English: A Dictionary of Australasian Words, Phrases and Usages is an engaging, scholarly tour through the region’s distinctive vocabulary and the stories behind it. Compiled at the turn of the 20th century by the University of Melbourne professor, the work gathers Aboriginal Australian and Māori terms that entered everyday English, altered English forms unique to Australasia, and the scientific names and coinages born of local flora, fauna and exploration. Morris explains his method and scope, tracing words back to Indigenous languages, colonial usage and natural history, and addresses questions of classification, quotation and etymology. The book reflects its 1898 context—part lexicographical labor to assist larger dictionaries and part cultural record—while offering clear definitions, illustrative quotations and a thoughtful account of linguistic change (including discussion of the “Hobson-Jobson” effect). Perfect for listeners interested in languages, history and regional dialects, this audiobook is an invaluable reference for linguists, writers, historians and curious travelers who want to hear how Australasian words entered and transformed English.