What words would you choose to tell the story of Australia? Join historian, lexicographer and author Amanda Laugesen as she discusses her new book Australia in 100 Words and the key words and expressions that underpin the history, culture, myths and stereotypes of Australian identity.
Speaker Series, Balmain Library, Sydney — Wednesday 9 October, 6.30pm
Historian, lexicographer, and author Amanda Laugesen reveals some of the ideas, events and values that have shaped Australia’s history by providing fascinating insight into the evolution of Australian English.
Amanda will be joined in conversation by Phillipa McGuinness.
Amanda Laugesen on the words that define Australia, Gordon Library, Sydney — Thursday 10 October, 6.30pm
Associate Professor Amanda Laugesen is Director of the Australian National Dictionary Centre, ANU. She visits Ku-ring-gai Library to reveal some of the ideas, events and values that have shaped Australian English.
Learn how the words you use shaped the country you see around you and how it reflects our ongoing evolution.
Writers @ Stanton, Stanton Library, Sydney — Friday 11 October, 1.00pm
Join Amanda Laugesen as she discusses the words she has selected to be part of her new book Australia in 100 Words. Laugesen considers what these words can tell us about ourselves, our history and our culture. She explores both the reality of Australia’s past as well as the myths that Australians have created to reflect how we like to see ourselves.
Drongos, Drop bears and Dictionaries, Canberra Writers Festival — Sunday 27 October, 2.00pm
Grab your budgie smugglers and hop aboard the mateship, it is time to talk Aussie argot. Words underpin the myths and stereotypes of our national identity; they have also obscured harsh realities and inequalities. Join Australian National Dictionary Centre Director, Dr Amanda Laugesen, and beloved novelist Pip Williams, author of The Dictionary of Lost Words, for a linguistic feast. In conversation with Terri-Ann White.
