Innovative use of language that might be in practice within any subculture in a given society is usually referred to as slang. It is often perceived that the person who uses a particular slang holds affiliation to the group or the person listening to that slang.
Slang spreads across geographical boundaries and has existence in various cultures irrespective of the society. Slangs have even made way into languages. There is not much difference in slangs and standard speech when it comes to the slang being used in reference of any particular language.
An interesting assumption here however is that when one makes use of slang, either entire new word gets originated or abbreviations for existing words are made, within that specified language.
The slang however needs to gain public appreciation to last long enough. The same must be used by everyone who prefers to communicate via the medium of slang.
Using slang lanugos in public
As slang is nothing new for any given language, its use in public places has increased in the recent past. Those using slang as a mode of communication are the ones who desire to be unique and therefore prefer to take this route for communicating with others.
Multiple reasons can be cited as to why people desire to use slang lanugos in public places. At times it has been seen that some words which are not a part of standard variation of any given language become synonym with some local variations of the language and over a period get integrated with the standard language.
Hence the slang gets created, modified and used by individuals in any society depending upon its prevalence and applicability in any given circumstance.
American slang is the most prevalent one that gets used by people of diverse cultures and it shows the inclination they feel for the American culture, even though they might not have to do much with the cultural ethos prevalent in America.
Slang as a fashion statement
The transformation of slang being used as a traditional mode of communication is pretty much interesting. It was not until very long ago that the use of slang was avoided, especially in public places.
However, the advent of internet and technology dissemination to the common man becoming accessible, slang usage also increased drastically. Using slang has become a common fashion so much so that it is being seen as an add on to the standardized language.
Usage of slang is however not advocated by many as they see the same in poor light and consider those using slang as a mode of communication to be poorly educated and having lack of civic sense.
Oxford English dictionary too speaks about those using slang in poor light. In the 1989 version of the Oxford dictionary, slang has been defined as a form of vocabulary being used by people who have low character.
Slang as understood from a perspective approach
Slang finds acceptance among all types of societies and cultures. The reason for the slang getting this acceptance in the society needs to be understood. Slangs usually evolves in a community and remains among a selected group of people for a specific period. However, as time passes and people move on, the slang too travels alongside.
Down the generations some of these slangs find acceptance among new generation youngsters and become acceptable to others who come in their contact.
In academic terms the use of slang is not advocated and students are advised to desist using the same. However, these very students and the most common proponents of the slang and in most cases some of these slangs have become popular throughout the world.
Need for slang
Considering its various assumptions and given the resistance to use of slang in public places by some of the thinkers, it is interesting to understand as to why the use of slang has become popular, especially in public places.
A fact that needs to be kept in mind while discussing about the use of slang is that the same will remain in use as long as language remains. This practically means that slang will continue to flourish, whatsoever may be the circumstances.
Slang is considered to be a mode of communication in today’s time and youth consider using slang as normal as they are able to portray themselves differently, if they use slang. Changing times have brought a change in our though process and slang is an after effect of the same.
Use of slang can be avoided but circumstances at times make it necessary to use the same and slang has therefore become acceptable across various sections of the society.
Slang is here to stay and its use in public places is all set to increase, given the phase of globalization that has already set in.
