You
have probably come across it being used, or have used it yourself.
Slang refers to the use of informal words and expressions, more commonly
used in spoken language and can be localized to a particular group of
people. Often used to identify with peers, slang is one aspect that has
been largely graced by many of the youth.
“Is slang a language for those of low vocabulary?”
A
random survey across one social network revealed that most people,
particularly those of the younger generations, find comfort in slang as
it offers a less formal and serious approach to communicating as opposed
to formal or serious speech and writing.
For most school-going
teenagers, slang is a trendy phenomena and a recognised tool that aids
in gaining acceptance and opportunities of popularity as it provides
discourse and fosters elements of rebellion.
“Does slang defeat written language?”
However
it is imperative to note the difference between slang and vulgar
language. According to the Oxford Dictionary (2012), slang refers to the
special vocabulary used by any set of persons of a low or disreputable
character; language of a low and vulgar type.
The English Stack Exchange
notes that originally, slang was language associated with low
socio-economic class or character and that a secondary sense has
developed, that of general "group talk" in a mildly disapproving or
mocking way—even if this group isn't lower class.
“Is slang a strategy of hiding illiteracy?”
Vulgar,
on the other hand is noted as being “filthy” and/ or obscene language
and that a vulgar person, or a person who engages vulgar language speaks
crudely and offensively.
Slang
has the vast ability to spread rapidly beyond its area of origin and
can exceed the group or subculture from which it originated to cut
across previous limitations.
Because
of this, slang may grow out of constant interaction, repetitive
incidents or phenomenon or general familiarisation with certain
environments and incidents.
“Is slang a means of fitting in?”
Since
slang circumvents the social taboos that orthodox forms of
communication shy away from, users of slang tend to escape harsh reality
and trivialise sacred issues. Slang is then largely punctuated with
elements of crime, drugs and sex.
Also
known as street language, slang, in some circles, is diverse as it cuts
across wide geographic, economic, social and ethnical strata and is
constantly evolving over time and space.
Though slang may fall into
disuse over time, its magnificent power to grow more and more common in
use until it imposes itself as a dominant way of saying something to
such an extent that it becomes the mainstream and acceptable language or
accepted as official informal language/speech.
This
form of language may incorporate attaching new meaning to old terms or
the creation of new terms altogether. This creates a major discourse to
the general understanding or meaning of a term. Differences in context
lay the basis of this phenomena.
Now
with all these facts in our basket, we come then to question ourselves,
is slang the currency of stupidity? Is it a tool in which we comfort
our failure as a society with the educational system? Is it a language
which we have come down to a compromise in our vocabularies competency?
Are
we moving towards a time when slang will completely replace written
language? Is this the age of stupid? Powered by laziness and language
incompetency? Are we hiding our illiteracy through combinations of
street words that makes us look hip and a part of?
