XIII Международная студенческая научная конференция Студенческий научный форум - 2021

There is hardly any other term that is as ambiguous and obscure as the term slang.There are a lot of different definitions of the term slang. The “New Oxford English Dictionary” defines slang as follows: 1) the special vocabulary used by any set of persons of low or disreputable character; language of a low and vulgar type…; 2) the cant or jargon of a certain class or period; 3) language of highly colloquial type considered as below the level of standard educated speech, and consisting either of new words or current words employed in some special sense.

“The Random House Unabridged Dictionary of the English language” – slang is

Very informal usage in vocabulary and idiom that is characteristically more metaphorical, playful, elliptical, vivid, and ephemeral than ordinary language;

(in English and some other languages) speech and writing characterized by the use of vulgar and socially taboo vocabulary and idiomatic expressions;

The jargon of a particular class, profession, etc.

The special vocabulary of thieves, vagabonds, etc;

 To assail with abusive language;

Nonstandard

According to “Webster’s New World College Dictionary” slang is:

Obsolete the specialized vocabulary and idioms as of criminals and tramps, the purpose of which was to disguise from outsiders the meaning of what was said: now usually called cant;

The specialized vocabulary and idioms of those in the same work, way of life, etc.: now usually called shoptalk, argot, jargon;

Highly informal speech that is outside conventional or standard usage and consists both of coined words and phrases and of new or extended meanings attached to established terms: slang develops from the attempt to find fresh and vigorous, colorful, pungent, or humorous expression, and generally either passes into disuse or comes to have a more formal status.

According to Chapman (1988), there are two types or forms of slang, the primary slang and secondary slang:

 Primarily slang is the pristine speech of subculture members, so very natural to its speakers that it seems they might be mute without it. Of course they would not be, since we know that slang is by definition always an alternative idiom, to be chosen rather than required. Much of teenage talk, and the speech of urban street gangs, would be examples of primary slang.

Primary slang can be detected by contrast, their oral language is often rich, complex, and powerful, and they live by using it effectively. Chapman (1988) calls the specialized social vocabulary of subcultures primary slang.

The primary slang of groups is often appropriated into general slang. It strikes members of the mainstream as novel, rich, and imaginative. It suggests a way of life with greater fun and excitement than the well-regulated lives of most. Adopting the vocabulary is a way of sharing vicariously in the daring while remaining apart from what is unsafe or objectionable about the way of life in the subculture.

From the sixteen samples of lyrics, fifteen lyrics that consist of eighteen slang words and phrases were identified as primary slang. They were: yo, ain't, 'sposed, back, 'bout, dis, stole, I-L-Y, cryin’ up a storm, hit, sleepin, tryna, and baby. The slang words and phrases are  identified as a primary slang because this kind of slang to express anger,  used as a general expression used by English people on their daily communication, or it is an alternative pronunciation used by a rapper or hip hop singer to shorten, alter, or change the sound of a word. It is not related with someone attitude or something in secret.  

Secondary slang is chosen not so much to fix one group as to express one’s attitudes and resourcefulness by pretending momentarily, in a little stick of guerilla theatre, to be the member of street gang or criminal or gambler or a professional football player, and hence to express someone’s contempt, superiority, cleverness by borrowing someone else verbal dress. It is also a matter of stylistic choice rather than true identification.

In England and USA slang is regarded as the quintessence of colloquial speech and therefore stands above all the laws of grammar.

As to I.V. Arnold slang  are expressive, mostly ironical words serving to create fresh names for some things that are frequent topics of discourse. For the most part they sound somewhat vulgar, cynical and harsh, aiming to show the object of speech in the light of an off-hand contemptuous ridicule. Vivid examples can be furnished by various slang words for word head are attic, brain-pan, nut, upper storey, compare also various synonyms for the adjective. Notions that for some reason or other are apt to excite an emotional reaction attract as a rule many synonyms: there are many slang words for food, alcohol drinks, stealing and other violations of the law, for jail, death, madness, etc. The subject of slang has caused much controversy for many years. Very different opinions have been expressed concerning its nature, its boundaries and the attitude that should be adopted towards it. The question whether it should be considered a healthful source of vocabulary development or a manifestation of vocabulary decay has been often discussed.

List of References:

Galperin I. R. English Stylistics. Москва, 2014

Oxford English Dictionary. Second Edition электронныйресурс - Oxford University Press 2009.

Редкозубова Е.А. Методическая разработка по словообразованию в сленге современного английского языка. Ростов-на-Дону. Издательство педагогического университета. 2004.

The Random House Unabridged Dictionary of the English language электронныйресурс https://slovar-vocab.com/english/websters-unabridged-vocab.html

Webster's New World College Dictionary электронныйресурсhttps://www.yourdictionary.com/

Partridge E. Slang Today and Yesterday.-London, 1960 - 476p.

I.V. Arnold. The English Word. M. 1973.

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