Responses are due Friday, March 6th, at class time.
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)
18 comments:
I agree with the article in saying the use of slang is everywhere. I also agree most people use it around people they know. I didn't know the word "kid" came from "kidnapping" or that thieves came up with slang. I think language can be a barrier if the listener can't tell what is being said. Sometimes speaking slang to someone is like speaking a different language because they aren't aware of its meanings. I don't find slang offensive, but it shouldn't be considered a language of its own or added to an existant language. That is why it is called slang... it is a shortcut to proper English. Slang is appropriate when speaking to a friend but not at work or school. Slang and its use is a matter of opinion because there are no hard core rules about when and where to use slang.
I found the article to be very interesting. I really enjoyed reading the article. I do not think that slang is a language but I do find it to be an important aspect of language. Slang is a way to express oneself. It is also a way of communication in restaurants, gangs, and mobs. I do not find slang to be offensive at all. Most slang dies away and slang is born everyday. The majority of the slang will never last so there is no reason to be offended by any word. There was an episode of Sarah Silverman one time and she was trying to make up a new hip word. Well her friend ended up making the new hip word and someone was so offended by it that some guy tried to kill him for making up the word. It was just a T.V. show but it should that there are many people who are offended by slang.
I would not consider slang an actual language. I believe that there is a time and a place for speaking slang. Slang is an important aspect of our language, and I don't believe that it should be completley abolished from our daily conversations.The origination of this form of speech is very interesting. I had no idea that slang had such a history behind it.
I find language to be the means in which people communicate. I feel that language defines who we are as unique individuals and increases diversity in the world. I enjoyed reading this article. Although slang can, at times, be considered offensive, I feel that it shouldnt be completely diminished from society. Do i feel that slang is a dialect within itself? Of course. However, slang can't always be spoken in within all circumstances, such as the working environment. Spectators normally categorize slang with negativity or circumventing diminitive social topics. On the contrast, slang derives also from proper situations. For example, different jobs have short terms used to identify a certain procedure or ideal. Slang, and other forms of language, allows people to connect with each other and form pleasant congregations. I like slang, sometimes.
I do not think that slang is a language, but it is important in society/language. People from different back grounds use certain slang terms to express their beliefs and opinions on things. I have never found it offensive and find it interesting.
Slang is definitely a common form of speaking among a certain group of people. I don't think it would be ideal to speak in slang to someone who wasn't from the same culture and didn't understand the meaning behind your words. In some cultures a person might take offense to a word you spoke that was harmless in meaning to yourself. I also don't believe that slang is a language of its own, if anything it is a dialect of English. Words have different meanings for different people and this article was a good example of how slang is embedded into the way we speak. Sometimes it is even an emotional response and we aren't even realizing that we might be speaking in a way that others from another culture wouldn't recognize as clearly as ourselves.
I think that our primary purpose in reading this article is to understand where our conception of "slang" comes from and why it is more than slightly absurd. What is slang? The teacher in this article failed to answer that question. She used faulty logic to support her claims. I found her name-drop of Shakespeare especially amusing. This particular teacher would certainly have categorized much of the language used by the celebrated playwright as offensive slang; some scenes in his works consist almost entirely of bawdy humor of sexual or another "inappropriate" nature. He wrote that way in order to amuse the vast majority of his audience, whose little money and low social status meant that they visited the theatre in order to laugh, heckle, and feel distracted from their extremely drudgerous lives. They were not all thieves, as she suggests. I want to read this type of piece, along with your comments, and think, "Oh, how far we've come." Sadly, in this case, I cannot.
I do not believe slang qualifies as a language. Slang is forever changing. The slang of our parents is not the slang of today. There will never be grammatical rules for slang because it defeats the whole purpose, and without grammatical rules, how can it be a language? Slang is an important part of speech because it helps people to express themselves freely. Slang is appropriate when in a relaxed environment. It should never be used in school or work related topics.
I definitely don't think of slang as its own langauge. I think it does have a place in the English language though. I think that there is no harm in it being accepted in society. As long as the speaker knows when it is and isn't appropriate it shouldn't be considered a problem. In casual company slang is fine; it's when people use slang in academia and in professional settings that it becomes a detriment.
I think language exists for humankind to communicate with one another. New words are still being invented for a reason. Words and phrases allows people to understand eachother.
Slang might not be its own language, but slang has a purpose; whether it to abbreviate, or help people understand a certain point. The trouble with slang is always deciding when and where it belongs.
I really enjoyed this article. I am glad it pointed out the origins of slang and that it was used everywhere. I think people have a tendency to think that only certain groups use slang, which is not true. I think it is okay to speak slang, but it has its proper place. People need to be aware of how they are speaking and when they speak this way in everyday situations, many may not understand them. I am not offended when I hear slang because I believe everyone uses slang. However, I do not believe slang should become a its own language.
I do not think that slang is a language, however I feel that it is important to our culture. It is accepted in society as a way to communicate between friends. I think that there is a time and a place for slang and that it is not something that is appropriate for the classroom. In class, people need to be having intelligent conversations and slang would only take away from that. But outside I don't find it to be any sort of a problem. I myself use slang all the time when talking to friends or family.
I don't think slang is a language itself, but I do think it is a significant part of our day to day lives. Slang is more of a deviation from a language than a language on its own. Slang can be hard to understand sometimes and it can be confusing when speaking to someone who's using a different kind of slang. Slang is okay to use in an informal situation, but should not be used in a formal setting as it shows a lack of respect.
I've never read an article in a format like this.
I find it would be natural that around Shakespeare's time there would be a development of slang, considering that it was an important time for development of language, considering Shakespeare's own contribution to the English language.
Slang's uses are so varied in today's society that it cannot be labeled to do just one thing, or to make thoughts clearer as the student says in the article. Slang definitely exists as language, and often exists as a language amongst friends and groups of people. Using slang is most appropriate when amongst friends or amongst a small group of people who would be knowledgeable of the meaning. Just as doctors would not speak to their patients in their medical jargon so as not to confuse them, slang should not be used around people who would have no concept of their meaning.
I agree with the article, because slang is used everywhere and almost everyday. It is most common for people for use slang around people they know very well, and are comfortable with. I found the article interesting because it gave information that was once unknown to me. Language can be a barrier, because often times the person listening is unsure of what is being said. Slang can be viewed as a different language because often times people do not understand it. I do not consider slang offensive, necessarily, but it should not be seen as its' own language. It is called slang because it is a shortcut from traditional English.
We cannot deny that slang has become a integral part of our language. It is also a form of communication that most individuals use around friends and family; a way of informal conversation. I really had no idea that the word "kid" came from the term "kidnapping", I assumed that it was the other way around. Some people do not understand slang, and therefore cannot carry on a coherent conversation with the "slang user". Although I do not find slang to be offensive, it still should not be considered a language. It should stay as an unofficial communication tool to use between peers and families, but nothing more than that. The association of slang is negative and therefore is look down upon by people with higher educational skills.
I found this article to be very interesting. When asked if slang is a language? I would have to say no. Slang in my opinion is a way of speech that is used to express ideas in a shortened way. Because the words used in slang sometimes has no real definition or meaning I do not believe that they are official enough to be considered a language. A lot of the words used usually aren't in style or roatation after a few months. Also I believe that slang is not appropriate to speak at all times. There is a time and place for slang, and because of this it is evident that it is not a language.
Slang is definitely a part of language. It is not a language in itself because one cannot explicitly use slang alone in full conversation. We incorporate slang into our standard English usage. The article expresses that thought early within the second paragraph. Slang is only offensive when it is meant to be or when one looks down upon it. Slang has become and is traditional in all parts of the world within language. It most definitely is a recognized form of expression, even if it is unliked by some.
Post a Comment