by: Krista Pilz
The responses are due by Monday, October 18th, at class time!
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In Besse Clark's article, A teacher has created a classroom lesson that revolves around slang. The teacher asks the students about slang, asking questions like: To how many people does slang exist to express thought? The students respond with everybody. Then the teacher continues on, he/she gives the class two types of language. The first example was from The Heart of Midlothian. the excerpt was, Thief: She has got a Jark from Jim Ratcliffe... Jark being the slang word. The students starred blankly at the teacher, not understanding what the word meant. The second type of language he/she gave the class was from the American Magazine, an article written by a New York detective. He tells about what one thief may say to another, It read: Put your duke under your tog....
The teacher explains how both of these excerpts were taken from thieves. Slang was the language of thieves in Shakespearean time, and still exists to conceal thought from most people. This article expresses that thieves words are constantly creeping into our language, because slang was once the language of thieves. Therefore, any slang we use today is taken from thieves "language". For example, the word "kids" was taken from the term "kidnab", which today we know as "kidnap", and kidnapping is the action of "child stealing". The word slang comes from the old language of Scandinavians, and meant "to talk abusively".
This article continues on to express how offensive slang really is, and because of this slang terms never stay in existence very long. The students come to the conclusion, that words only last if they are not offensive. For example, calling an insane asylum a "bug house" is very offensive to anyone who may know somebody who has been defined "insane".
Besse's article truly breaks down the meaning of slang. I found it quite interesting simply because I never thought of slang as necessarily negative. We throw terms around without truly understanding the meaning of what the words actually mean, and how they could be offensive to somebody else.
I think that using slang is something that most college students do regularly. I enjoyed this article because it shows that some slang words may be offensive to others without the user knowing. The basic meaning of slang is never truly explained. I enjoyed reading this article.
ReplyDeleteSlang has always been presented as a negative to me. I learned at a young age that slang was something that was not tolerated in the classroom. Yet with age, I have realized that some slang is ingrained in the English language and in the language of the classroom. I disagree with this article's statement that words that are offensive disappear, or at least, I disagree that 99 percent of them disappear. I would argue that slang words have a higher chance of being integrated than this article would suggest.
ReplyDeleteShakespeare utilized this language of thieves through the characters in his plays, and his plays are renowned as high culture in modern society. This, in itself, contradicts the assertion that most slang disappears, as the language of Shakespeare has been integrated into contemporary society with words such as bedroom, swagger, and rant. However, even if slang disappears, the meaning can still exist. Slang insinuates meaning where there is none, and in my opinion is simple to comprehend within context of a situation, even if the direct definition is unknown. Slang is, in itself, a means for alternating meaning and for creating it.
That being said, I do agree that modern slang is not appropriate for conversation in the classroom and has the potential to be offensive. Using academic language increases vocabulary and encourages students to establish a professional standard. Yet, it also cannot be disregarded simply on the assumption that it is offensive; it is a part of language that is utilized and needs to be addressed in some manner in the classroom.
Slang is something that is used between friends and in non-professional settings. I do not have a problem with it BUT i feel that people who dont get it or dont understand have a prolem with it. Some people also think that only bad guys and thugs use slang. Its everywhere. There are a lot of offensive things out there, so you cant just single out one that MANY people use. Its a cultural thing. If you single out slang, you have to single out mullets, too much blue eyeshadow, or socks with sandals. Just like fads, slang terms vary with generation. Its something that comes and goes and will never die.
ReplyDeleteI found this reading interesting but I feel that it caused me to have more questions than answers. First of all, I can think of some very derogatory/slang names for other races that have (sadly) stuck with us for decades. Like Elizabeth, I think that there are more slang words that have become a part of everyday language. The other question I have is about dialects. Can they be considered slang? I certainly know that the way “uppers” talk in Michigan is different than Standard English and they have had the same slang words for years. And what about more recent slang like words like “google?” A few years ago it didn’t mean anything. After the search engine was created a select few would say “google that.” Now it is an common everyday word for online searching. I remain unconvinced by the reading that all slang goes away with age. Not to say that I don’t think that a lot of it does, seeing that I’ve never heard of a “tog.” In the end, it was an interesting read.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a very interesting topic because like texting, it affects us in our everyday lives. As John pointed out, slang does not just go away because it is deemed offensive. Also, I do not feel that slang isn't always necessarily a bad thing. I feel that slang comes and goes just like different fads come and go. While some slang stays, other slang goes off with the generations. It should also be said that slang varies by the region as well. However, slang is to be used in different settings and most of the time should not be used in the classroom or other formal settings.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm on the fence about slang disappearing over time. Some of it has, of course. For example, "tog" and "jark" were two I had never heard of before now. But there are others that have stuck around for years and I don't think they're going anywhere anytime soon. Also, some words never fully disappear but become integrated into languages and evolve into other words. So I think some slang leaves us, while much of it stays, whether it is obvious or hidden.
ReplyDeleteSlang will never disappear in the English language. Like everyone else has said, it will evolve and change as language changes, but there will always slang in every language. As time goes on, some words will disappear but there will be others that stay around. I do agree that slang should not be used in professional settings, such as work and school, but it happens all the time. I don't see anything wrong with using slang in personal setting.
ReplyDeleteI think slang is everywher in the English language and that most of us use it everyday. I'm positive that I use slang everyday. This article is very interesting to me. Slang does seem negative but we throw it around so much that it seems almost normal.
ReplyDeleteSlang is another part of the English language. Slang is used everyday by everybody. no one can ever say they haven't used it, so i know that slang will be around forever. Slang not being around just seems un real to me because as long as people use it, it still will have a purpose.
ReplyDeleteI think it is very interesting that slag came from thieves. I feel that sometimes people create their own language for privacy reasons, this might be why slang started. I also think that words get shortened in everyday speech and this can lead to slang. Not all slang is negative but I must admit that a lot of the most popular words are. Slang also differs depending on location and culture. It is interesting to here different people's slang. I do think because of the way language evolves that slang will continue to be used.
ReplyDeleteThis article was very informative. It is interesting to know the roots of slang and where it derived from. It is also very interesting that it came from previous words that have morphed into todays slang like the 'kidnap" example. Overall I dodnt agree that slang is a negative thing in general I beleive that its roots may contain some negative things but slang to me is simply a morphed version of everyday shorthanded English.
ReplyDeleteI think that slang is something that everyone possesses in one way or another. Especially these days slang has been fast becoming a new form of communication. However, it needs to be recognized when it is an appropriate time to use slang and when it is more appropriate to sound professional. Not all slang is negative, it just needs to be recognized as when appropriate and when it isn't
ReplyDeleteSlang is a big thing is today's society and will continue to do so but people should know that it is not appropriate all the time. Furthermore that slang should not be something that is going to take the place of proper English. That just because you might be doing it and not notice it doesn't mean that it should be acceptable. Although I feel that slang isn't a bad thing since i do use slang almost everyday I believe that it is something that everyone should know when and when not to use.
ReplyDeleteI personally do not have a problem with slang as long as it is kept out of the classroom whether it is or not offensive. Slang will continue to exist through time. Some words will stay and some word will vanish, and the meaning or connotations to some of them will change. It really depends on how and how often society uses these words. The most important thing is to make students realize when it is proper to speak this way. It might be acceptable to use slang with peers of the same age, but it is not okay to speak this way with folks older than you, co-worker, your boss, and teacher/professor. If slang is going to be use in the classroom, then it should be used for educational purposes only, like the teacher does in the article.
ReplyDeleteAs many of my peers stated before I also feel that slang is only meant to be used around your friend. We must realize that slang was originally a cultural thing, but as time went on it has became universal. However when applying for a job, you wouldn't go into the interview using incorrect grammar.
ReplyDeleteI often use slang but thats when im around my friends. I feel that are boundaries when it comes to slang. Boundaries as in who you can talk to when using slang and also what kind of words can be used. With some slang words there is not grey room, just only black and white. People often take offense when they use certain slang words.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that slang is necessarily wrong and offensive. Granted some slang words are offensive but slang in general, I feel, is part of our culture. I know some slang words disappear but many do not. I know when I read Shakespeare or something like it in some of my classes, some words I know and some I don't. I don't think that slang should be used in school or in any professional setting; but among friends I do not think there is anything wrong with using slang, as long as you don't use offensive slang that might hurt someone's feelings.
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