There is a definite similarity of functions in the use of slang, cockney and any other form of non-literary English and that of dialectal words.

Standard and non-standard dialect

A standard dialect (also known as a standardized dialect or "standard language") is a dialect that is supported by institutions. Such institutional support may include government recognition or designation; presentation as being the "correct" form of a language in schools; published grammars, dictionaries, and textbooks, and an extensive formal literature that employs that dialect (prose, poetry, non-fiction, etc.). There may be multiple standard dialects associated with a single language. For example, Standard American English, Standard Canadian English, Standard Indian English, Standard Australian English, and Standard Philippine English may all be said to be standard dialects of the English language.

A nonstandard dialect, like a standard dialect, has a complete vocabulary, grammar, and syntax, but is not the beneficiary of institutional support. An example of a nonstandard English dialect is Southern American English or Newfoundland English.

For example:

Use of the Present Perfect

In British English the present perfect is used to express an action that has occurred in the recent past and effect on the present moment. For example:

I've lost my key. Can you help me look for it?

In American English the following is also possible:

I lost my key. Can you help me look for it?

In British English the above would be considered incorrect. However, both forms are generally accepted in standard American English. Other differences involving the use of the present perfect in British English and simple past in American English include already, just and yet.

British English: :American English

I've just had lunch. - I just had lunch.

I've already seen that film. - I already saw that film.

Have you finished your homework yet? - Did you finish your homework yet?

Dialectal words are those, which in the process of integration of the English national language remained beyond its literary boundaries, and their use is generally confined to a definite locality. In order to ascertain the true value and the stylistic functions of dialectal words it is necessary to look into their nature. “The history of a very large part of the vocabulary of the present-day English dialects is still very obscure, and it is doubtful whether much of it is of any antiquity. Probably many hundreds of 'dialect' words have no historical value. They belong rather to the category of 'mistakes' which any ignorant speaker may make, and which such persons do make, again and again, in every part of the country.”

There is a definite similarity of functions in the use of slang, cockney and any other form of non-literary English and that of dialectal words.

Some dialectal words have become so familiar in good colloquial or standard colloquial English that they are universally accepted as recognized units of the standard colloquial English. To these words belong lass - 'a girl or a beloved girl' and the corresponding lad - 'boy or a young man'; fail (also the Scottish dialect) - 'trouble, cares'. They have not lost their dialectal associations and therefore are used in literary English.

Dialectal words are only to be found in the style of emotive prose, very rarely in other styles.

"Some people think of dialects as sub-standard varieties of a language. spoken only by low-status groups--illustrated by such comments as 'He speaks correct English, without a trace of dialect.' Comments of this kind fail to recognize that standard English is as much a dialect as any other variety, because it is one to which society has given extra prestige. Everyone speaks a dialect - whether urban or rural, standard or non-standard, upper class or lower class."

(D. Crystal, How Language Works. Overlook, 2006)

Slang is the use of informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker's language or dialect but are considered more acceptable when used socially. Slang is often to be found in areas of the lexicon that refer to things considered taboo (euphemism). It is often used to identify with one's peers and, although it may be common among young people, it is used by people of all ages and social groups.

- general slang words (interjargon)

- special slang words (professional jargons)

Speaking about mass media influence on the national language I’d like to dwell on the concept of “international jargon”, or “interjargon” that has recently come into use in the whole world. The term “interjargon” is used to describe the young people slang that resulted from a large amount of information in English distributed all over the world, the general tendency of learning English (and American English in particular) as the language of international communication, imitation of American life-style. This jargon is connected with adaptation of English expressions picked up mainly from films and songs, booklets. It is adapted to phonetics and grammar of the language, occurs in many languages and even provides mutual understanding between people having common interests. Interjargon unites young people that share similar ideas and spiritual values and serves as the means of self-affirmation. Using such words as superhit (from English words “super-” and “hit”), maxi-single, disk-gigant (from the words “disk” and “giant”), happening and many others, mostly names of well-known singers and musicians, rock-groups and individual hits young people make immediate contact with each other.

Jargon is terminology which is especially defined in relationship to a specific activity, profession, group, or event. In other words, the term covers the language used by people who work in a particular area or who have a common interest. For example, the words RAM, bit, byte - are jargon terms related to computing.

Most Overused Social Media Jargons:

1. “Engage” – The singlehanded most overused word in social media is engage. “Engagement”, “engaging”, “engage your followers,” we now know that if you aren’t “engaging” you are losing in the social media race.

2. “Tracking” – The root obsession with tracking social media comes from the fact that, social was largely un-trackable until a few years ago.

3. “Build a Community” – if people replying to your content on social media were told that their interaction with your brand is because you built a community, they wouldn’t be thrilled.

4. “Authenticity” – “be authentic” is supposed to mean that you should reflect your true colors to your community, but even that is still vague.

Jargons are terminologies used by professionals to simplify a particular concept. Jargons are meant to enhance communication but at times it can act as the biggest barrier to communication.

Jargons can also be used to hide certain facts so that the listener does not realize the shortfalls. Jargons are used to maintain secrecy.

Jargon is the specialized language of a professional, occupational, or other group, and is often meaningless to outsiders.

Some examples of computer/lnternet jargon:

BTW - By The Way

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

HTH - Hope This Helps

IMHO - In My Humble Opinion

MOTD - Message Of The Day

We have all heard NASA use such jargon as: "countdown," "all systems go" and "lift off."

One of the largest users of jargon is the Military. A few jargon examples the military use are:

TDY - temporary duty

CONUS - continental United States

AWOL - absent without leave

LES - Leave and earning statement

SAM - surface to air missile

PCS - permanent change of station

Slang, contrary to jargon, needs no translation. It is not a secret code. It is easily understood by the English-speaking community and is only regarded as something not quite regular. It must also be remembered that both jargon and slang differ from ordinary language mainly in their vocabularies.

Many words formerly labeled as slang have now become legitimate units of standard English. Thus the word kid (child), which was considered low slang in the nineteenth century, is now a legitimate colloquial unit of the English literary language. It never grows stale. If a slang word or phrase does become stale, it is replaced by a new slangism. It is claimed that this satisfies the natural desire for fresh, newly created words and expressions, which give to an utterance emotional colouring and a subjective evaluation.

Date: 2015-12-18; view: 949