Stylistic peculiarities of English slang
Содержание
Introduction 4
1 Spoken English and Slang. Origins, sources and diffusion of slang 6
1.1 Classification of slang. Forms of slang. Characteristics of slang 14
1.2 The Cockney language and Polari – extinct languages 19
2 The use of slang units in literature, songs, movies and Internet 23
2.1 What factors promote the use of slang in literary works 33
Conclusion 36
Bibliography 37
Introduction
Today countries and continents are becoming closer and closer. They are connected with transport routes, radio and satellite broadcasting and the Internet. The attitude towards foreign languages has changed too. The knowledge of a foreign language is now not only a part of a good education, but a necessity.
Without doubt, English has already won a world status. It is the most widespread language in the world. For approximately 400 million people English is a native language. More than 200 million people speak English as a second language. It is learned in all countries as a language of world communication. It has become a world language in politics, science, business and culture. No other language is as popular in information technology, advertising and popular music. It is certain that English is accepted everywhere around the world.
A well-educated person should know at least one foreign language. The Latin proverb says: “Quo linguis calet, tot hominess valet”, which means “As many languages a person knows, as many people he is worth.” Each country, each culture and each language has something unique to offer. Some ideas can be expressed only in a foreign language. It also helps one to understand one’s own language. Goethe said: “A man, who does not know any foreign language, does not know his native one either”.[1; с 12]
1 Spoken English and Slang. Origins, sources and diffusion of slang
Just as there is formal and informal dress, so there is formal and informal speech. Consequently, the social context, in which the conversation is taking place determines both the mode of dress and the modes of speech. When placed in different situations, people instinctively choose different kind of words and structures to express their thoughts. That means that the actual situation of the communication has evolved to varieties of language- spoken and written.
The stability of a word for each particular situation depends on its stylistic characteristics, or, in other words, on the functional style it represents. I.V. Arnold defines “functional style” as “a system of expressive means peculiar to a specific sphere of communication”. By the sphere of communication linguists mean the circumstances attending the process of speech in each particular case: professional communication, a lecture, an informal talk, a formal letter, an intimate letter, a speech in court, etc. All these situations can be roughly classified into 2 types: formal (a lecture, an official letter, a speech in court) and informal (an informal talk, an intimate letter). [4;с 3]
1.1 Classification of slang. Forms of slang. Characteristics of slang
When systematizing the material on slang one may come to a controversial problem: the problem is that there are two classifications identifying the place of slang.
1) According to M.M Makovsky slang belongs to the so-called social dialects.
Social dialects are variants of a language, which are used by certain social groups.
Besides slang social dialects comprise: jargon, cant and argot. Thus, these social sublanguages, according to this classification, should be regarded as independent.
Since this paper employs such terms as jargon, cant and argot, it is necessary to define these concepts:
Cant comprises the restricted, NON-technical words and expressions of any particular group, as an occupational, age, ethnic or special-interest group.
Jargon is defined as the restricted technical or shoptalk words and expressions of any particular group, as trade, scientific, artistic, criminal, student or other group.
Argot is a special vocabulary used by a peculiar social group, especially by the so-called underworld. Its main point is to be unintelligible to outsiders. [19; с 82]
1.2 The Cockney language and Polari – extinct languages
In spite of the fact that slang is a lively language, there are however, such slang languages, which are thought to be extinct. To these the Cockney language and Polari are referred. The Cockney language or Rhyming slang has been popular since the mid-nineteenth century in England, although its origin is unknown. Rhyming slang is a slang that replaces a word with a word or phrase that rhymes with it. Many Cockneys in England and many Australians use such slang. For example, a Cockney might say “Rosie Lee” for “tea”, “apples and pears” for “stairs” or “trouble and strife» for “wife”.
But why is rhyming slang said to be a language of the Cockneys? Who or What are they?
2 The use of slang units in literature, songs, movies and Internet
Literary works, songs, movies and even Internet can serve as a source of slang: an author, a singer or a speaker while describing something, creates a new word or uses an existing one in some new meaning; and then readers, TV spectators or Internet users begin using this word in their speech. Thus it can become a slang item and then even get a standard status. But users of slang basically use it to create some specific and fresh tone in their description or speaking. The aim of the analysis described below is to present the most typical examples and situations where slang can be revealed and how it can be applied; and to prove that it is very hard to figure out author’s intentions and ideas, if one does not know slang.
For this analysis different sources are selected: literary works, songs, movies and Internet.
Among literary works the following ones were analyzed:
2.1 What factors promote the use of slang in literary works
Although slang is a speech phenomenon it can be found in literary works too, mostly in dialogues. Thus when reading some work a reader can see a language of characters, and no wonder if slang is chosen s a language. But what promotes the use of slang in literary works? No doubt that characters are of the great role. Their age and social status play no less role. Settings and events also belong to the group of factors influencing slang frequency in literary works. Thus making a study of some works it was discovered that slang rate in different literary works varies due to the factors mentioned above.
For this analysis the following works of about 200-220 pages were chosen:
1. “Farewell, my Lovely” by Raymond Chandler;
2. “To have or Have Not” by Ernest Hemingway;
3. “Crome Yellow” by Aldous Huxley;
4. “Rachel’s Holiday” by Marian Keyes;
5. “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger.
The aim of this analysis is to figure out frequency value of slang units. The judgments are based on the factors described.