Slang Language Essay, Research Paper

Slang The Declaration of Language [WR122 paper, using Jefferson?s

"Declaration of Independence" as a model]-RJ The Declaration of

Language When, in the course of human language, it becomes necessary for people

to create or redefine, words or phrases to express an object or an action; and

to assume, among society, the acceptance and usage of these words and their

definitions, in one?s own language, or idiolect. A decent respect to the

opinions of mankind, requires that Americans should recognize slang adopted into

language. We hold these truths to be self-evident: that language is expression

of thought, in the form of speech or written symbols, that have agreed-upon

meanings. That, many large speaking languages contain dialects, or other

versions of languages within a community, that are different in some aspects of

grammar, pronunciation, or vocabulary. That, because language is a form of

one?s own ideas and expression, everyone possesses his or her own individual

language, or idiolect. That, not only does perception change language, but that

language changes perception. That, through the course of history, idiolects have

shaped dialects, which have shaped language, which in turn, have shaped

concepts. Conservatives, indeed, will dictate that languages will follow a

narrow path toward a standard language. And accordingly, expression will follow

the rules and guidelines that limit thought, rather than the ability to rethink

old vocabulary and enrich new ones. When we speak, write, learn, and think in a

slowly evolving vocabulary, which does not adapt to the more rapid introduction

of cultures, concepts, fashion, and technology, we must add new meaning to

conventional vocabulary. Such has been the language of Conservative American

English speakers and writers, who have discouraged the use of creative language

and the use of dialects and idiolects. Many individuals have not noticed that

new vocabulary is, at many times, adopted into one?s language. A large number

of slang words and phrases have been considered standard in today?s daily

speech. To prove this, let us claim a few of the many slang terms that have been

adopted. Slang has been used, where other words seemed unfit to describe a

thought or feeling: "Awesome." "Radical." "Cool."

"Far Out" New words that were created to describe new technology: A

"cellular" or mobile telephone. The "internet" or the

computer and modem accessed information highway. "Electronic mail" or

computer generated mail. A "beeper" or an electronic paging device.

Metaphors, similes, and creativeness also create slang: A coward is a

"chicken." Money is "bread." A "ride" is a car.

One thousand dollars is a "grand." People eat "grub."

Smoking marijuana is the same thing as smoking "weed" or

"pot." A toilet is the "John." A toilet is the

"can." A toilet is the "hole." A "Cop" is

policeman. A "Pig" is also a policeman. If something is

"bad" it is really "good." Those who are

"plastered" are drunk. Those who are "hammered" are drunk.

People who are driving too close behind another car are "tailgating."

Slang, also evolves in the form of phrases: A person "Kicking Back,"

is relaxing. "Cut to the chase" or get to the point. Accept the

consequences, or "face the music." "Two cents worth," or an

opinion. "The whole nine yards" or everything. In the English

language, we have petitioned for the use of slang in language. But our creative

language has been considered meaningless to conservatives of standard English.

Conservatives, who themselves use vocabulary that was at one time considered

slang, are unfit to argue against it. Every language around the world adopts

slang that, at one point, was considered nonstandard to the majority of the

people. Slang is used to provide new shades of meaning. Slang is shared by

introducing new concepts, just as new objects and ideas are shared. All

vocabulary establishes its meaning through the acceptance of its concept into

one?s language. We must continue to express thoughts through one?s choice of

language, and accept them, as we would accept the importance of originality and

creativity within individuals. We, therefore, the representatives of a

linguistic society, do, in the Name, and by authority of speakers and writers of

English, declare that slang refreshes language with new concepts, ideas, and

interest; that slang allows language to evolve with society; that there are no

determining factors in declaring a "true" language; and, that language

contains vocabulary where its meanings are changed and new ones are introduced.

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