SAGE-AU Hobart Talks and the Tazzy Accent (Event)

Type: event

Date: 2003-08-12

Location: Hobart

Participants: Randal Schwartz

Alias: SAGE-AU Hobart Talks and the Tazzy Accent

SAGE-AU Hobart Talks and the Tazzy Accent
In August 2003, during my technical presentations at the SAGE-AU conference held in Hobart, Tasmania, I experienced a hilarious language barrier.
Key Details
- Although the Australian ("Oz") accent was occasionally a challenge for me, one specific question during my Hobart talks left me completely baffled.
- I did not understand a single word of the question being asked.
- Turning to a nearby local colleague in the room for translation/assistance, she casually smiled and remarked:
  "Oh, he's a Tazzy... we don't understand him either!"
- This humorous exchange highlighted the friendly, self-deprecating rivalry between mainland Australians and residents of the island state of Tasmania ("Tassies" or "Tazzies"), and remains one of my favorite conference anecdotes.

🔗Hobart

These facts are as Randal recalls them, but much time has passed for most of this. If you find a factual error, please email realmerlyn@gmail.com.

SAGE-AU Hobart Talks and the Tazzy Accent