Slang

Slang

Slang, by definition, is a particular language (occuring in casual and playful speech) that is used by an exclusive group or community with a shared interest or identity, and the use of it which designates who belongs to the group or does not (Adams, 2012). The term slang derived from "jargon" which is a French word for unintelligible talk.. Since slang is known to be playful, racy, and irreverent language that outlines social in-group, breaking the English-standart's grammar, the aim of using slang in daily conversation is to exchange informations within the group itself.

Slang serves social purposes, such as to identify members of a groups or community. It acts like the linguistic equivalent of fashion in daily life, which serves the same purpose as in indicating the era or period the words or slangs is used in daily conversation (Izmaylova et al., 2017).

Slang also showcases our daily proficiency in the artistry or language, as we adeptly manipulate the auditory, visual, and stylistic aspects or words. There will be some particular enjoyment derived from using and encountering slang and it is a form of a aesthetic gratification.

Characterictics of Slang

There is slang and there is also jargon, both used to have the same meaning. However, they serve different purposes in stating meanings nowadays. Based on Adams (2012), there are some ground basic characteristics of slang:

1. Informal, unfit to be used in formal conversation.
   
2. Mostly associated with certain social groups and favored by the young generations.
3. Distinctly metaphorical and involve exaggeration.
4. Exclusively used as a marker of an in-group (members).
5. Implicate creative respelling and reduplication as a form of language game.
6. Some slangs oftenly can be taboo as an insult for the out-group members.

Examples

• stoned/stoner: used to be referred to someone who is very drunk or under the influence of alcohol, hence in 21st century it is used to address someone who is under the influence or drugs or using drugs (marijuana, cocaine).

He spent the whole evening getting stoned at the beach.

• Bet: serves the same meaning as 'okay' or agreeing to something, however it can also mean as putting a wager in a gambling.

A: Party at Rick's house at 8? It'll be awesome!
B: Bet!

• Rizz: short from charisma, an ability to be charming and easily well-liked by others, usually in flirtatious manner.

Dude, you got that rizz that you can pull such a beauty like her!

• Slay: oftenly used as supportive phrase to someone who is excelling in a particullar area or praising someone's appearance, it also can be used to address some men who's also showing some feminine sides.

Girl, you totally slay that dress!

• Sus: short from suspicious, used for calling out someone or something that indicates scepticism and possibly deceitful.

He's so sus, I'll keep my eye on him.

References

Adams, M. (2012). Slang: The people’s poetry. OXFORD University Press INC.

Izmaylova, G. A., Zamaletdinova, G. R., & Zholshayeva, M. S. (2017). Linguistic and social features of slang. International Journal of Scientific Study, 5(6), 75-78.
LanguageTool. (2024). Twenty-five common and current English slang words. LanguageTool Insights. https://languagetool.org/insights/post/slang-words-definitions/