Dictionary

Antarctic English en · PROPN

Meanings

1. An accent and variety of the English language spoken by researchers living on the continent of Antarctica, being a mixture of their native languages and neologisms for concepts relating to the continent and daily life, such as the types and characteristics of ice, equipment and routine.
   • One of the characteristics of Antarctic English usage as it emerges from the dictionary is eclecticism: many global strands come together to create a unique South-Polar vocabulary. 2002, Tom McArthur, “Antarctica, the Falklands and the South Antarctic Islands”, in The Oxford Guide to World English, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 406:
   • A New Zealand linguistics doctorate graduate from the University of Canterbury has completed a world-first study into colloquial Antarctic English, spoken at the US, British and New Zealand Antarctic research stations. 2024 June 20, Eva Corlett, “Fidlets, fingies and riding a doo: study sheds light on Antarctic English slang”, in The Guardian:
   • We are likely to consider Antarctic English as an occupational variety of general English rather than a new regional variety, mainly because men go to work in the Antarctic for a period, intending to return. They are not settlers. 1972, George William Turner, The English Language in Australia and New Zealand, Longman, →ISBN, page 67:

Relateds

Arctic English