pdmunro Posted September 27, 2007 Report Share Posted September 27, 2007 I heard an interesting term on the radio today: dog-whistling. An example, that the political commentator gave, was the recently introduced citizenship test here in Australia. The test is easy: it asks questions such as "What is the first line of the national anthem?". Even if you knew none of the answers, and even if you couldn't speak English, you could rote learn the answers in 30 minutes.** The political commentator holds the view that the point of the test is not to weed out people from becoming Australian citizens, but rather to send an implicit message to xenophobes that "We are the political party that is concerned - just like you are - about immigrants not assimilating into our culture. So vote for us!". Another example given was President Bush's references from the Book of Revelations. Such references are only recognized by those with a familiarity with the Bible. They send a coded message to those people, that "I, President Bush, have your religous interests at heart. So vote for me!". Whereas, other listeners, not recognizing the origin of the words, simply hear the literal meaning. So, just as only dogs can hear the frequency of a dog-whistle, these "dog-whistling" political messages only evoke emotional responses in the minds of their selected audience. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ** Here is a parody that's are much harder than the government's test! I know I would fail this one. 2007 Australian Citizenship test 1. Do you understand the meaning, but are unable to explain the origin of, the term "died in the arse"? ___________________________________ 2. What is a "bloody little beauty"? ___________________________________ 3. Are these terms related: chuck a sickie; chuck a spaz; chuck a U-ey? ___________________________________ 4. Explain the following passage: "In the arvo last Chrissy the relos rocked up for a barbie, some bevvies and a few snags. After a bit of a Bex and a lie down we opened the pressies, scoffed all the chockies, bickies and lollies. Then we drained a few tinnies and Mum did her block after Dad and Steve had a barney and a bit of biffo." __________________________________ 5. Macca, Chooka and Wanger are driving to Surfers in their Torana. If they are travelling at 100 km/h while listening to Barnsey, Farnsey and Acca Dacca, how many slabs will each person on average consume between flashing a brown eye and having a slash? ___________________________ 6. Complete the following sentences: a) If the van's rockin' don't bother ...B) You're going home in the back of a ... c) Fair crack of the ... _________________________________ 7. I've had a gutful and I can't be fagged. Discuss __________________________________ 8. Have you ever been on the giving or receiving end of a wedgie? __________________________________ 9. Do you have a friend or relative who has a car in their front yard "up on blocks"? Is his name Bruce and does he have a wife called Cheryl? __________________________________ 10. Does your family regularly eat a dish involving mincemeat, cabbage, curry powder and a packet of chicken noodle soup called either chow mein, chop suey or kai see ming? __________________________________ 11. What are the ingredients in a rissole? __________________________________ 12. Demonstrate the correct procedure for eating a Tim Tam. __________________________________ 13. Do you have an Aunty Irene who smokes 30 cigarettes a day and sounds like a bloke? __________________________________ 14. In any two-hour period have you ever eaten three-bean salad, a chop and two serves of pav washed down with someone else's beer that has been flogged from a bath full of ice? __________________________________ 15. When you go to a bring-your-own-meat barbie can you eat other people's meat or are you only allowed to eat your own? __________________________________ 16. What purple root vegetable beginning with the letter "b" is required by law to be included in a hamburger with the lot? __________________________________ 17. Do you own or have you ever owned a lawn mower, a pair of thongs, an Esky or Ugg boots? __________________________________ 18. Is it possible to "prang a car" while doing "circle work"? __________________________________ 19. Who would you like to crack on to? __________________________________ 20. Who is the most Australian: Kevin "Bloody" Wilson, John "True Blue" Williamson, Kylie Minogue or Warnie? __________________________________ 21. Is there someone you are only mates with because they own a trailer or have a pool? _________________________________ 22. What does "sinkin piss at a mates joint and getten para" mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
han Posted September 27, 2007 Report Share Posted September 27, 2007 Very funny, even though I don't know any of the answers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerben42 Posted September 27, 2007 Report Share Posted September 27, 2007 Very funny, even though I don't know any of the answers! Agree! No worries, mate. Hold on to your wallabie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barmar Posted September 28, 2007 Report Share Posted September 28, 2007 4. Something about celebrating Christmas with a barbecue? Pressies = presents; chockies, bickies and lollies are kinds of candy (chocolates, something, and lollipops). But the last sentence has me stumped; I guess tinnies are cans of soda or beer, but I have no idea what Mum's "block" is, or barney and biffo. 9. We have these in the States -- we call them "rednecks". See http://www.jefffoxworthy.com/comedy/jod/index.shtml Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.