From bluey to bogans: Researchers who help define how the nation speaks to lose their jobs

Sydney Morning Herald

3 days ago

There are blueys and bludgers, chardonnay socialists, cleanskins and cashed-up bogans. The way Australians use the English language is often direct, facetious and occasionally just a little cruel.
And for almost 40 years, the words the nation uses in speech, newspapers and books has been mapped by a small team at the Australian National Dictionary Centre in Canberra.
Those efforts are set to come to an end after Australian National University management, as part of a major cost-cutting drive, unveiled plans to 'disestablish' the centre.
'It is going to be a loss to the community as what we do is explaining changes in language use,' said centre director Professor Amanda Laugesen.
Researchers at the centre produce The Australian National Dictionary as the pre-eminent record of Australia's unique vocabulary.
'Its job is to document and study the way Australians have used language over time, and as such is essential to understanding Australian society, culture and identity. There is no other project that does this in Australia and so it will be a tremendous loss to the nation.'
The university cited reduced external funding from Oxford University Press for the centre and its 'limited alignment' with the university's broader strategic direction as reasons for closing it.
Other research centres facing the chopping block, after the university unveiled plans to shed jobs, include the ANU's Humanities Research Centre and the ANU Centre for European Studies.