Introduction

The book begins with a very short background on Australian English that sketches a time line focussed on the acceptance of local norms. It notes the ongoing diversity of views on Australian English within Australia. An open and inclusive definition of the variety is then presented (AusE). The outline of the aims of the book note its intent to contribute to World Englishes and sociolinguistics via describing the variety through an analysis of variation and its evaluations. The largely qualitative approach signals that methodologically the book departs radically from variationist sociolinguistics with an interest in societal Discourse and interactional discourse. The chapter ends with a brief overview of the book’s structure.