Slang: definition, characteristic, types, and example

definition

Slang is a kind of language consisting of very informal words and phrases. Slang is more common in speech than in writing. Slang words are often used in a particular context or by a particular group of people. It appears seasonally. It is commonly used by teenagers.

Some definitions of slang:

-        Slang is unconventional word or phrases that express something new or old in a new way.

-        Slang is one of those things that everybody can recognize and nobody can define.

-        Slang is the informal language which is created and used by a particular social group in the certain community. Slang did not always have a negative but also positive meaning and they were not always considered rude word.

Characteristcs

1.     Slang is typical of informal situations

The formality of language is tied to the situation: in formal situation people expect formal language and in an informal situation they expect informal language. Slang will be the last choice for anyone attempting to use language for formal, persuasive or bussiness purposes since they will be considered as a rude people. More slang word will be found in the conversation between friends incompared with the conversation between employer and employee.

2.     Slang is typical of spoken language

Since the situation in whice we write are  more formal than the situation in which we talk, as stated above that slang is typicall of informal situation, automatically slang belong to a typical of spoken language. The examples is like when people go and watch soccer, they will hear a lot of slang from  the crowd but the next morning when people read about the match un the newspaper, there will be far less slang in the papers coverage of the game. But there is one type of written material which contains quite a lot of slang such as novels and short stories, especially in the dialogues. It’s becomes the author  ways to show the characteristics of the characters.

3.     Slang is found in word not in grammar.

Every language contain vocabulary and grammar. Since there is no grammar of slang, slang can’t be considered as language. That is why, when people talk about slang it is referred to words not grammar or pronounciation.

4.     Slang is not swearing.

Swearing is a type of language use in which the expression refers to something that taboo in the culture and usually expresses strong emotions and attitudes. That is definedly different with slang. Eventhough slang terms may contain some taboo word, but it is used just for fun and the important thing is that slang word used without emotion.

5.     Slang is not register.

Register is a specialized vocabulary owned by specific occupation and activity. Registers are deofferent with slang but the way contain slang as long as the specialized vocabulary is informal. In the medicine term, for examples, when a patient leaves a tissue sample of examinition, the doctor may say that they are sending some meatto the laboratory. There words are learned and used in practice and none of those words are written in the books of medicine.

6.     Slang is not cant, argot, or jargon

For the first time, the terms slang was used by british criminal to refer to their own special language. Cant, a private language of the underword (criminal) which still used as a term for the language of criminal. Those, slang has moved a long way from its origin. Argot is a name for the language criminal which origin is french and has been used for several centuries with this meaning. Jargon  refers to speial or technical worth used by particular group of people.

7.     Slang is creative

Creativity took an important part in the invention of many slang words. The point of slang words is often to be startling, amusing or shocking. Slang expression-for example, the apple of one’s eye ( one favorite ), square heads ( stupid person ), for the first time they are used they are truly creative. Those words attract other people’s attention but when it is used over and over again.

8.     Slang is short lived.

As stated before that it is usual for slang words to stay on the language for thousand years. Most of slang words are accepted into natural style or else die out rather quickly. Many slang words, such as phone, bike, bus, pub, etc, have become standard or natural language. There are also many slang words which have been lost.

Types 

·      Offensive slang
These words should be used with care. Although they are not particularly "hot", they can be offensive to the person they are applied to. For example, if you call somebody an "airhead", that person could be insulted although anybody listening would not be shocked.

·      Vulgar slang
Vulgar slang words should be used with extreme care. In general we recommend that non-native speakers do not use this language. If used inappropriately, you could easily shock both the person you are talking to and anyone listening. You could cause resentment and anger.

·      Taboo slang
In general, taboo words are the most shocking in the language and should be avoided. We recommend that non-native speakers do not use this language. As with vulgar slang, you could easily shock both the person you are talking to and anyone listening. You could cause extreme resentment and anger, with unpredictable results.

Example in Bahasa

jangan lebay	jangan berlebihan
ciyus, enelan, miapah	serius, beneran, demi apa
mau kemenong	mau kemana
jijay banget	menjijikkan sekali

Sunday, May 17, 2020