The linkage between language and culture is always fascinating for the lexicographer to explore, and never more so when the focus is on food. The search for these words in Australian English reveals not just evidence of use for the items in question, but also the attitudes of the community to food at different times in our history.
We begin with what was edible in convict days and work up to more genteel colonial afternoon teas. We discover Henry Lawson’s loathing of the Christmas pudding and review – and perhaps revise – our food icons. Lastly, we take note of modern preoccupations. There are comparisons to be drawn between our British past and our modern multiculturalism.
PRESENTER
Susan Butler was the editor of the Macquarie Dictionary, Australia’s national dictionary, and, as editor, was largely responsible for the selection and writing of new words. In 2017 the seventh edition of the dictionary was published, with a revised and updated range of dictionaries in print, online and in digital and app forms. Susan retired as editor at the end of that year.
She has written the Dinkum dictionary, published in its third edition in 2009. In 2014 she wrote The aitch factor, a commentary on usage matters in Australian English. She has published another book on language matters, Rebel without a clause, in October 2020. She has also published a range of e-books on Amazon called New words: changes in Australian English every year from 2018, and a COVID Word Diary. In 2022 she published a children’s book on Amazon, The dictionary and Mim, which is designed to highlight aspects of the dictionary in a way that will entertain children from 8 to 12. In 2026 she published the sequel to Rebel without a clause, entitled Clause and effect.
Susan is also a regular commentator on Australian English on radio, television and the internet and was a TEDxSydney speaker in 2015. In 2021 she was a speaker at Adelaide Writers’ Week. In June 2018, she was made an Officer of the Order of Australia. She is, as of June 2018, an Honorary Lecturer at the ANU in the College of Asia and the Pacific.
Sue now has her own website (www.suebutler.com.au) where she blogs on aspects of Australian English.
Cost:
IPEd members & reciprocal organisations AUD20
IPEd student & concession members AUD10
Non-members AUD35
For more information click here
