Responses are due on Monday after Spring Break!!!
________________________________________
This article is the dialogue from a discussion that took place in a ninth grade composition class. The teacher asked the students what language exists for. One student said, “To make your thoughts clear, and to have thoughts, and to express thoughts.” Based on this answer, the teacher asked the students whether or not slang fits this definition. Slang makes thoughts clear and expresses thoughts to those who understand it meaning. Slang exists to express thought to everyone, depending on who is hearing it and the current language in existence.
One interesting point in this article is the explanation of the origin of slang. According to this article, slang originated in England. In Shakespeare’s time, slang was used by thieves to conceal the meaning of their words from others. Slang existed to express thought, but only to the small group of people that understood its meaning. Slang had two purposes. It was used to conceal and convey meaning, depending on who was listening.
Over time, slang became incorporated into the speech of everyone. Words that were once considered offensive slang are now a part of everyday language. For example, the word “kid” was originally used by thieves. It came from the word “kidnapping”. During this time, the word kid would have been considered offensive slang. Today, it is simply another word for child.
Today, slang is used by different cultures for many different reasons. Most people use in casual settings. It is a way to communicate with those whom we are most familiar with. Some use slang to show that they are very familiar with something. For example, those who use slang when talking about drugs are usually trying to convey that they are familiar with drug use. Others use slang to be part of a group. A high school student who desires to be a part of the “popular” click may use slang to prove that he or she is worthy of entrance into the click. The majority of people in America are more comfortable using slang than using proper English. This means that slang is often used inadvertently in professional and academic settings.
What is your definition of language? Does slang qualify as language? Is there anything inherently offensive about slang? Should it be incorporated into our speech, or should it be left out completely? Are there situations in which slang is appropriate? Are there situations in which slang is not appropriate?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
16 comments:
Slang is a part of everyone's every day life. It is interesting to see how far back slang exsited. I did not know that it was from Shakespearean time.
It is easy to offen people with slang, but there are some words that are now just a part of our vocabulary. Defining language is difficult. It is mainly a way of communication understood by all in a community with rules and syntax form, but for some people this is not enough to define the word. Whether slang is appropriate in certain situations versus others is dependant on the commmuntity and what is being said. Everyone has their own thoughts on what is offensive or not and now a days offending someone with words is very easy.
In my opinion, language is anything that is spoken through the individual. I believe that slang, is most often a part of everyone's language. I don't feel that using slang every once in awhile hurts anything. Slang seems to be a part of our speech and has its own time to be used. For example I believe that using slang to talk to ones friend is relatively okay, but when addressing someone of authority one may not want to use it. Slang is often a lack of laziness. All in all I think slang is okay to use in certain circumstances, but for the most part we should trying using proper English.
Slang is such a part of everyday speech, to the point that the line between the use of slang and the use of proper speech is often blurred. I think for the most part, people use it without thinking much of it. I know I certainly do, and when I need to speak proper English it takes extra thought not to use slang.
By Lara NP:
"My definition of language is, a way of communicating one’s thoughts towards others who are able to understand. I think that slang by definition can qualify as a language, but in reality it should not be used in the business world. Slang, when used can deface the meanings of certain words. I think that slang can be used in a casual conversation, but should be left out completely when in a professional environment."
According to Webster's online dictionary, slang refers to an informal nonstandard vocabulary composed typically of coinages, arbitrarily changed words, and extravagant, forced, or facetious figures of speech. It also states that slang is a language peculiar to a particular group. Obviously with the second definition, it can be proven that slang is, in fact, a language. The first definition just shows how it is a definition.
Slang is just simply put shorten words or ideas to make language easier. Slang can be used so that others do not understand what one is try to communicate to another person. I think that any way of communicating that others understand can be classified as a language. I have noticed that slang is used most often in younger generations. The older generation seems to disapprove of this use of slang. I think their main problem is that they don't understand the slang. While kids should be able to use slang with their friends I think that using it around people who do not understand is wrong.
My definition of language is a set way of communication between a group of people. I think this is fairly accurate because within each country, a different language is present.
I don't think slang qualifys as a language. I think it is derived from different languages though. People that speak different languages are still able to (for the most part) understand slang.
Slang doesn't meet the requirements to be a language. As far as being offensive, I don't think it is. However, different individuals have varied opinions of this.
Whether one wants slang incorporated into everyday speech, won't change the fact that it is. I think it is impossible to completely eliminate it from every person's vocabulary.
There is a time and place for slang usage. I don't think it is appropriate in an uptight environment, but at home and with friends, is acceptable.
For me language is a form of communication that is understood by people of a group, region, ethnicity, or community. I think that slang definitely qualifies as lanuage. It is a part of every language in the world. All languages have slang that they use on a regular basis. I think that slantg can be offensive to those that do not understand its meaning; however, I don't think that it is offensive to the group that uses that particular slang. i love slang. I think it is so interesting how a definition of a word can be tweaked or completely changed to mean something else and spread so a group comes to use the new meaning. I love the idea that even something as definite as a definition can be changed. I think that slang should be limited to informal situations; however, sometimes to get one's point across more effectively slang must be used.
This article proved the purpose of my research paper. I always wondered why people associate slang with African Americans every culture uses it but in different ways. I did not know where slang originated from, so learning about it's history is interesting. I think slang is a way of expressing oneself and therefore should not be eliminated at all. Although I believe there is a time and place for slang to be used and it should never be used just to exclude anyone.
Language, there is so many different types of language. Slang is so common most individuals do not even realize it when they use it. I know that I use slang everyday without even realizing it. Just go around someone from a different city and he or she will know that I am from the South.
I believe people have made slang into a language. Slang is used in everyday communication! I think it would be extremly hard to leave it out when you are in a work environment when you do not realize when you are even speaking slang!
I believe that the word "language" has a very broad definition. Language, to me, is simply the verbal way in which a group of people communicate. According to this definition, slang is a language. While it might not necessarily be a formal language, different forms of slang are used by different groups of people in order to communicate. Seeing as slang is an informal way of communicating, this should not be used in academic or professional environments. Of course, some slang words have grown into our regular speech and are hard to avoid. People in academic environments, however, should have a keen understanding of professional language and should be able to avoid using slang. Teachers, however, should address slang with their students in order to provide clear distinctions of the differences between slang and Standard English.
It's amazing to think that slang has become so ingrained in our language since the time of Shakespeare. Today, slag is such a part of our everyday speech that we use it without even realizing it.
Language is the way we formulate thought and express ourselves. Since each individual is unique, they should be able to express themselves by drawing on whatever words they choose. The way we speak is how we present ourselves to the world, language is just another way to express ourselves individually.
I loved learning where and how exactly slang came to be. The fact that slang is still frequently used among "thieves" and the like is very interesting, but the reality that it is also commonly used within circles of adolescents is extremely impressive.
My definition of language is the way a large group of people communicate, by speaking and writing. I dont believe slang is a language, i do believe that it is a modification to a language, making sub groups within the larger group communicate more easy.I know that I incorporate it into my speech and I feel that it should be used with everyday language. If you are in a professional setting most careers have slang.
I feel that slang is just part of everyday life. Everyone uses slang in one form or another. Some words hold different meanings today than they did thirty years ago. My Grandpa told me that the word "fag" used to mean "cigarette." Now of course it is an offensive term used against homosexuals. I think that slang is for the most part an acceptable form of communication. When people use slang with one another it is quickly discovered if the person/people they are speaking with know the slang meaning or not; therefore, it is perfectly acceptable to use slang if other people know what message you are trying to convey.
I actually had no idea that slang dated all the way back to shakesperean time. That is very interesting actually. Language changes every day, and now slang is being incorportated into it. Slang makes it easy to offened people, it depends on who your talking to. Kids or peers your own age are probably harder to offened, however if you use slang to a teacher, parent, etc you might get into some trouble
Post a Comment