Australian National Dictionary Centre, Language research center at Australian National University, Australian Capital Territory
The Australian National Dictionary Centre is a research facility at the Australian National University that investigates and documents words, expressions, and language patterns specific to Australian English. The facility maintains an online database of Australian place names and new words while collaborating with language specialists to track how the language evolves.
The center grew out of a dictionary project in the 1970s and established a formal partnership with Oxford University Press in 1988. This collaboration allowed for systematic tracking and documentation of how Australian English has developed over many years.
The center gathers expressions that reflect how Australians speak in everyday life, from sports terms to local phrases shared through public participation projects. These collections reveal the language that shapes Australian culture and identity.
The center offers access to word and place databases through its website that can be searched from anywhere online. Monthly updates showcase new words and expressions, allowing visitors to follow how the language continues to change.
The center produces specialized dictionaries that capture how Australian English varies between different states. These regional variations reveal language differences that most people never notice in everyday conversation.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
