Impact of Slang or Informal Language In Daily Life

ElevatEd
Blog
August 29, 2023

Language is a dynamic, ever-evolving phenomenon that is influenced by several factors such as environment, culture, and interpersonal interactions. Slang is an assortment of expressions, phrases, and idioms that are often used by particular communities or groups but do not exist in formal language. This article examines the role of slang in the formation of cultural identities as well as its potency, applications, and effects on communication.

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What is Slang?

Slang refers to a casual form of language made up of certain words and phrases which are usually used among certain social groups or subcultures. Slang does not take long before it changes and may also differ across geographical locations, age cohorts, professional backgrounds among other social dimensions. It is an expression of the principles held dear by those who speak it.

Usage

Slang is useful in communicating in many ways. It first strengthens a feeling of belonging and collective identity. Slang usage within a group indicates a shared history, set of values, and level of expertise. IT professionals, for instance, could use words like "algorithm" and "debug" to establish a connection based on a common interest.

Secondly, slang can function as a form of social differentiation. Slang terminology and phrases can be used to denote belonging to a certain age or social group. For example, young people usually create their own terminology to set themselves apart from adults.

Lastly, among friends or peers, slang may be used to express familiarity and togetherness. It could create a casual atmosphere and foster a sense of camaraderie that formal language might not be able to convey.

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Influence

Slang use significantly affects communication. Slang offers subtlety and passion, whereas formal language is exact and ordered. Language gaps, or the inability of formal words to adequately express particular ideas or experiences, are often the cause of slang formation. Take the term "hangry," which is a combination of the words "hungry" and "angry."

This captures the subtle anger that comes with hunger. Slang can also inspire creativity and wordplay. Shakespearean slang, sometimes known as "can't," is language that violates norms and masks meanings. Slang still promotes creative language use.

Cultural Identity Formation

One essential component of cultural identity is slang. Slang is created by community members to express their beliefs, viewpoints, and experiences. For instance, the slang of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) has influenced pop culture, fashion, and music.

Slang serves as a linguistic fingerprint, indicating one's affiliation with a certain cultural group or subculture. It can also be used for protest and social criticism. During times of oppression, marginalized groups have used slang to communicate discreetly, creating a sense of unity and defiance.

Development and Obstacles

Though it may be difficult to understand, slang is constantly evolving. Slang can change rapidly, and terminology can become out of date very quickly. What's popular now might not be tomorrow. The informality of slang can occasionally lead to misunderstandings, especially between people of different ages or ethnic backgrounds.

Misunderstandings can occur when someone interprets a slang word differently than intended. This highlights the significance of context while utilizing slang. Furthermore, some terminology makes use of wrong language or promotes misconceptions, both of which are signs of cultural discrimination. Slang has the power to empower and to exclude.

Slang in the Age of Technology

The slang landscape has changed in the internet age. Online forums, texting, and social media platforms have all contributed to the spread of slang. Emoji, acronyms, and abbreviations have developed into digital vernacular that may succinctly convey complicated emotions.

These platforms' requirement for brevity has resulted in language compression, which reduces words and sentences to their most fundamental parts. This occurrence shows how flexible slang can be while still defying conventional linguistic norms.

Popular Culture Slang

Slang is widely used in popular culture and frequently reflects changes in socioeconomic conditions. Influencers, performers, and musicians use their skills to promote jargon. TV series, films, and viral videos may all have catchphrases that swiftly find their way into common conversation. This dynamic interplay between slang and the media shows how language changes in reaction to new forms of communication.

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And last, slang has a special influence on day-to-day living. It is an interesting phenomena in language because of its many goals, influence on communication, function in forming cultural identity, problems, and development.

Slang bridges the gap between formal language and personal expression, promoting a sense of community, creativity, and connection. The way slang changes as a result of its impact on communication and society demonstrates how adaptable language can be. Enroll now and learn more about the language and master English classes with 98thPercentile.

Impact of Slang or Informal Language In Daily Life