Australian accent a result of heavy drinking, says communications expert

It is claimed the Australian accent may have developed as a result of the country's early settlers drinking heavily.

A communications expert has said the distinctive twang has its roots in an 'alcoholic slur'.

Dean Frenkel from Victoria University in Melbourne explained the type of accent he means.

“As people started to talk like that, not moving their articulators too much, they are harder to understand," Mr Frenkel said.

“There is a very strong parallel between people with a strong Australian accent and people who have been seriously drinking.”