Nearly 30 years ago, The Simpsons arrived in Australia, causing a bloody outrage. We were offended at how they portrayed our culture, but more importantly, how badly they tried to create Australian accents. As time has gone on, the Bart v Australia episode has become a source of national pride, especially amongst Simpsons fans in Australia.

To talk about this phenomenon, I invited one of my favourite Australian linguists and co-host of Lingthusiasm, on the show, Lauren Gawne.

Lauren and I discuss the portrayal of Australian accents in media, highlighting inaccuracies in The Simpsons and noting the informality and lack of respect for authority in Australian English. We talk about things that The Simpsons actually did get right and how this is part of how Australian English is viewed outside of Australia.

We also discuss cross-cultural politeness in language and how tolerance for profanity (for example "bloody") can be a hurdle for learners of Australian English and for Australians when learning other languages. I emphasize the importance of understanding intersections between linguistics and other areas of study, while Lauren stresses the value of intrinsic motivation in language learning.

There's all that and more and it's a bloody outrage I can't write it all here!

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If there is one band from Australia that you'll recognise, it's Acca Dacca. But you might not know that Acca Dacca is what we say instead of AC/DC.

So, I invited Johnny from rocklatino.com.au on the show to talk about this phenomenon and rock music in general.

Johnny and I discuss the global popularity of AC/DC and its local significance in Australian rock music. I share my experience of discovering that people overseas associate AC/DC with Australian music more than Australians do themselves, while Johnny shared his passion for the band and their resonance with Argentinian rock enthusiasts. Later, Johny and I discuss our favourite Australian bands, with Glen recommending Midnight Oil, The Saints, and Crowded House, while Johnny recommending Powderfinger to help listeners engage more with language learning and Australian rock music.

We also discuss our experiences with language barriers in Australia and how music can help people to learn about and navigate their new environment. Finally, we explore the similarities and differences between Australian and Argentinian rock music, highlighting historical context, political influences, and the growing interest in Latin rock music in Australia.

If you would like a transcript for this episode, get access to all content and have a say in the creative process, or would just like to support the show, think about becoming a patron: patreon.com/AustraliansTeachEnglish

In the second episode of this two part series, Liz Tynan and I discuss the controversies surrounding nuclear testing in Australia in the 1950s and 1960s, that still linger today. We also talk about the importance of media scrutiny and how that played a role in uncovering the disaster.

We also talk about the growing movement and need for Australia to break free from its colonial past as a result.

Liz works at James Cook University in Townsville, and helps students and academic improve their academic writing. We talk about the difficulties for english learners, and students in general, in writing, and give our best tips for how to improve your writing skills.

If you would like a transcript for this episode, get access to all content and have a say in the creative process, or would just like to support the show, think about becoming a patron: patreon.com/AustraliansTeachEnglish