A Brief Analysis on the Features and Functions of English Slang1.doc

A Brief Analysis on the Features and Functions of English SlangOutlineThesis statement: English slang is one of the most active and sensitive parts of language and an effective weapon in communication.I. IntroductionII. An overview on English slangIII. Features of English slangIV. The function of English slang4.1. Rhetorical functions of English slang4.2. Pragmatic functions of English slang4.3. Social functions of English slangV. ConclusionAbstract: English slang plays an important role in modern English communication, which is an indispensable part of English language and a mirror of sub-culture. The slang is applied more and more in oral and written communication with its expressiveness and vitaliy highly valued. In this paper, the origin and features of English slang will be discussed, and the analyses of existence value of English slang from the aspects of refraction function and usage function will be presented as well.Key words: English slang; feature; functionI. IntroductionEvery language in the world share one common similarity, that is , the existence of the slang. There is no exception of English. The composer of American Slang Dictionary, Stuart Berg Flexner thinks that there are 10000 or 20000 words used by average Americans. Among them, about one tenth is slang, which is used more often by every American. The “hi”, and “bye-bye” are all slang words. And this shows that slang can be used widely in peoples daily life. The modern English slang is concise, straightforward and incisive. Just as Harold Wervtworth, the English linguists said: “Slang is more straightforward, more refined and have more characteristics than standard English in communication”(Catherine,1985:35). It can transfer new elements to standard English words and generally spoken words, and take an important part in keeping the standard words flowing continuously. In the following parts, I will analyze slang in the aspects of its origin, its social functions and so on.II. An overview on English slangSlang is quite a controversial language, people have different attitudes toward it. It is no wonder that the definition of slang is so various. However, the slang terms have their own characters, and, of course, the definitions of it are more or less described in the same way.Slang is a kind of special language formation. During a long period, there is no united standard rule to define slang. Longman Contemporary Dictionary defines slang as: very informal language that includes new and sometimes rude words, especially words uses only by particular groups of people such as criminals, schoolchildren, or people who take drugs. Concise Oxford Dictionary define the word slang as: the special word, the inferior and vulgar language that are used by certain communities which are born in any lower levels; a certain class or a certain periods term; a kind of more inferior spoken language that often used in a certain kind of group which include new words or generally-used words that contain special meanings(Hornby,2005:79). Seen from the above, slang belongs to the sociology category rather than a pure linguistic notion. By putting it in the frame of modern society and cultural theory, we can understand its core connotation better. We must pay attention to that it is using slang that marks the social diversity. The understanding and usage of slang words not only surpass its original meaning or special meaning of this sub-cultural group, but also have a definite social purpose.The English slang at first originated in the collected place where assembled variety of people in the ancient counties and towns, and it flourished in the mid-century cities where many kinds of work co-existed dependently. In the 19th century, for the similar but more complicated reasons, slang had been a part of modern city life. More exactly, now, slang mainly has been a part of modern social lives. Seen from the essence, slang rooted from variety of social organizations, and at the same time, it can be used to protect and change the privilege relationship of social structure or social group in a certain degree. Slang is a many-faceted, complicated and dynamic term, which is the unavoidable cultural production made by the highly co-existed modern society. At the primary time, slang means cant or used as an exclusive term by the inferiors and criminal community members. As time goes on, the concept of slang is gradually evolved to all kinds of sub-cultural groups term. After middle 19th century, the main use of slang is to limit the usage of words of certain kind of sub-cultural group members in internal groups, so that they can differ themselves from other groups. For this reason, people who do not belong to this group can hardly understand those special terms. III. Features of English slangEnglish Slang, as a part of English words, full of expression, color, imagination and humor(戴小冰,2003:57). It shows that on the one hand, American youths want to be themselves and desire to display their own characteristics; on the other hand, the use of slang can dispose their vanity of purchasing trend and their fragile soul of following the popular blindly. For one thing, slang can show the living condition and value orientation of youths in a certain period, so it has distinctive time feature, such as groupie, which appeared in 1960s in America. This word was only used to describe the fantastic fans following the popular philharmonic when they made their circuit tour of performances. For another, slangs epidemic just indicates its transient and changeable features. This expression may be popular in this time, but it will be outdated some years later or tens of years later. For example, in 1960s, the representative characters are hippies, they wore ragged clothes, purchased drugs and advocate sexual liberation; in 1980s, the representative characters are yuppies, they wore western-style clothes, preferred wealth and material enjoyment; while now, yettie step on the grand stages. Their unique dressing styles make themselves distinct from others: they wear leisure style, mobile phones, and skateboard. And they also express their own independent value view put the technology at the top place and think science and technology can bring human more free space. Americans are not punctilious and sometimes dissipated, so they dare to show their likes or dislikes and always use slang with strong color in emotion, and exaggerate speech as possible as they can. For example, the word dirty（脏的）, do not mean its original intention in the following sentence: I hear that its a dirty movie. In this sentence, dirty is exaggerated and intensified and means filthy. We can see many harsh mocks and ruthless humiliations in slang. For example, highfalutin means “stand high and look down upon others”. This word is made by adapting high-floating to reach a tone of ironic. Another word gross, which means uncouth and disgusted is now used by youths in any dissatisfactory occasions. From the first years strict limitation and prescription to slang, to the frequently use by now, we can see the growing popularity and vitality in American slang culture. IV. The function of English slang4.1.   Rhetorical functions of English slangSlang is mainly used in spoken language. With its rich and plentiful of connotation color and expression, it can arise the speaking atmosphere. Through the rhetorical methods such as metaphor, euphemism, exaggeration, metonymy, etc, we can convey our implicit intention more lifelike by using slang words, so that to reflect the banter, ironic, mock, pejoration and vulgar connotation. Using metaphoric slang words properly in spoken English or literary works can enrich the standard language, enliven the atmosphere, and at the same time avoid the rigid and stiff situation. For example, word dish, which means plate originally, can be analogized to a beautiful girl. For example, I was thinking this was going to be my favorite dish. Another example, rug, which means carpet, can be analogized in slang to wig(假发)( 邓炎昌,1991:43)。In some conditions, people need a kind of conservative way to express themselves, to avoid saying sth directly by using ordinary words. Euphemistic slang can just help people to solve this problem. There are not few words to express “pregnancy” in slang, e.g. to be in the family way, to be in a delicate condition, to wear the apron high, etc. To describe a fat person, we can use portliness. The use of euphemism can not only enrich the English vocabulary, but also make the speech jocular and humorous, lively and implicit.The use of slang can also intensify the intention of irony or strengthen the power of exaggeration so as to express the speakers strong feeling and to shock the audience. For example, people call coward man as chicken; and non-sexy and ugly woman a dog.Speaker can use some brand name or other things to substitute for what he means to reach the succinct effect. As you see in the following: Coke, the brand name of Coca Cola; a wheel means car, for example: those who cannot afford wheels must hitch a ride. 4.2 Pragmatic functions of English slangAt first, slang must exist in the sub-culture groups. Those members in those groups convey their information, and express their value views by using their own special communication methods to intensify their cohesion. So, when slang is used in a certain group, apart from expressing its proper meaning, it also has a pragmatic function, that is: the speakers want to prove that they belong to that sub-culture group. When some slang words penetrate into the leading culture and are applied by people, besides their literal meaning, slang also has special pragmatic functions. That can be reflected in the following aspects:When people have distant relationship to talk with each other, they will adopt a formal way and be polite, while people of close relationship will talk in a casual way and not be punctilious and in this condition, slang will always blurt out. For example,“Hi! Tom, come in and bull a while”. From the above sentence, we can see that words “hi” and “bull” tell us that the speaker must be an acquaintance or friend with the person named Tom. Slang can show us the meaning between the lines. Pragmatic function can also be seen in the following sentence. “Id like you and your better half to come to our house for a meal one night”(朱文俊,1994:102). From this sentence, we can infer that these two are close friends. Slang roots in argot and professional jargon used by insiders to differ the people in and out the circle. By now, slang also obtains this characteristic while it is widely spread. In the ordinary talking, slang is used more frequently between acquaintances and couples to show their intimate relationship. The use of a kind of language can involuntarily reveal a persons nature, status and position. Just as a saying goes, “The moment you speak you are placed.” This sentence means that once you speak, your educated level and social status are distinct. Regardless of the on-the-spot report or the literary work, slang is used to depict the characters temperament. Much slang comes from jargon. So, sometime the use of slang can reflect the persons family background and profession features. In the essay of Unforgettable Johnny Broderick, this writer introduced a famous policeman in New York in 1930s. During his description, slang can be seen here and there. One day, when the reactionary gang leader, Diamand, wanted to commit a crime, Broderick caught him and threw him into the refuse bin. A bystander asked Johnny if he was going to arrest Diamand, Johnny shook his head, “Hed only get a mouthpiece to spring him.” he said, “This way hell be so embarrassed. He wont be able to face the boys. Hell blow town for keeps”(胡壮麟, 2002:59). This sentence comes from Brodericks spoken language. Besides its literary meaning, readers can also get the implication: He made contact with evildoer many times, and had abundant experience, so he was not only used to their old tricks, but also used to their argot. What a brave and tactful people! The slang used by Broderick does not make him vulgar, by contrast, this slang renders him more sense of reality, and shows people a straightforward, brave and confident image of a policeman. When someone is angry or anxious, there is no time for him to choose which word is more proper to use. But slang can be spoken out conveniently and thoughtlessly, so it saves the thinking time. Besides this, slang is concise and forceful, and the language of slang is caustic, so it is always used to express strong feelings to lash or satire someone or something. For example why dont you zip your lip? This sentences implication is: Im tired of your words(钟智祥,1996:91).To speak proper language in proper occasion is a criterion of communication. But the slang, which is thought not to be the refined taste, is often used in formal situation and spoken by high-level people to discuss some serious topic. The purpose for them to do so is just to make themselves not be lagged behind fashion and dare to challenge to the convention and orthodox to gain attention of the audience and to reach a special effect of social intercourse. Politics is a serious topic, but English and American reporters use slang from time to time in the political news reports(Paul, 1958:66). A piece of chapter in weekly publication Times used the title of “The Senators vs. the Spook” to report the confrontation between the American Senators and CIA in a certain problem. In slang, spook means secret agent, but using this slang word to name the famous CIA can give a fresh feeling to readers and is not stickler for the words dullness and convention. 4.3   Social functions of English slangSlang is a non-punctilious and informal language. It can bring both agents feel more familiarized and remove the estrangement. For example, if a teacher can respond to a student who cannot answer questions with “come along, my boy, cheer up, there is absolutely nothing to worry about.”(李淑鹃,2000:84) Then, the students embarrassment will be erased and the atmosphere in class must be lively and relaxed. Even to a stranger, the use of slang can also make him at ease and do not think himself an outsider. Once, a black lawyer who received high education met a strange black person who was inferior to that lawyer in his office (the blacks often have a certain degree of precautions to those black people who are highly educated lawyers or doctors). He greeted the agent with pure slang, “Hey, baby, how do you doing, baby?” At once, this agent did not feel tense any longer and was relaxed, and entrusted his case to the lawyer assuredly. Supposedly, if this lawyer adopted a formal method in all seriousness, this thing may end in the other way. Nowa