25/10/2022
'Report a Tosser' – it's a totally normal road sign right? Not to my British husband, whose head whipped around in a double take the first time he saw it.
“Tosser - on an official sign - surely not?”
While living out the better part of a decade in the UK, Australian news, media and officialdom in general was all jarring to me in its informality. But now I'm back on home turf, it all feels par for the course.
Back when I first set down in the land of tea and drizzle I could easily get myself in trouble. There was little difference to me between twit and tw*t – both were silly terms that belonged in Roald Dahl books as far as I was concerned.
I imagine English parents covered their children's ears behind my back on more than one occasion.
I can only think of three real swear words in Australia and even then few people are sincerely offended by their use.
England meanwhile has quite a knack for creating a broad spectrum of rude words – one for every occasion and specific level of offence. Keeping a stock of more creative historic insults can even be a source of a certain kind of pride – when used in the right context of course.
In contrast Australian swearing is far more broad spectrum. In our typical no nonsense fashion, just a few choice words will do.
Why this meandering monologue on swearing? Well, think of it as a little bit of cross-cultural education you won't get in language classes. You're welcome.
But more than that, it illustrates perfectly how there is far more to appropriate communicating than simply speaking the same language.
A good writer needs to know their specific audience and purpose and how to adjust their language and tone appropriately. If you can get it just right, you can create content that really resonates.
But use the dreaded z spellings for Australia or the UK and we'll probably ghost you on principle. You have been warned.
And if you would like any content written – we've got you. Just tell us what you need.