Uncovering Hidden Histories of Women and Colloquial Language in Australia

A love of slang and colloquial language has played a significant role in Australian society, identity, and culture across time. Language has been closely connected to Australian national myths and iconic masculine figures such as the digger, the bushman, and the larrikin. In order to understand the full picture of Australians relationships with slang, we need greater knowledge of the roles that women have played in shaping the history of colloquial language in this country. This project will investigate the ways that women have contributed to the story of slang in the past in Australia, through collecting, recording, engaging with, or writing about colloquial language. In doing so, the project will reveal previously unknown stories about how women have used slang, and ideas about slang, to both shape and express their identities, and to assert themselves within the nations culture and story. Through public lectures, podcasts, short newspaper and online articles, and a b