The Idea of Slang Influence in Different Countries - Essay Example

Chapter Responses In the seventh chapter, the term slang is not welcome in Australia in spite of the fact that it can be seen in almost every aspect of the Australian society. The two main dictionaries claim that there is no slang in Australia unless it is classified in categories such as military slang and rhyming slang among others. However, according to the common Australian lexicography, slang is present in a wide magnitude in the Australian English. Some of the slang words used here includes grog and plonk when referring to beer. Australian rhyming slang was developed in the 20th century and exists to date in spite of some sources claiming that there is no slang in the Australian English. Australian English has also been affected by America slang where the old blame the youth’s susceptibility. The article asks the question why the Australian mainstream lexicography does not acknowledge the existence of the slang and provides various answers as they relate to the question. These include confusion between slang and colloquial, overlaying slang with other terms such as jocular and offensive, and other historical as well as cultural reasons. In my opinion, the author has done a good job in making the world aware of the existence of slang in Australian mainstream English in spite of denials. The country is known for not having slang and this research has enabled me to discover the existence of slang in its language and even certain influence from the American English. The article has cemented these claims by quoting several dictionaries that had been composed decades ago explaining the same and even provides reasons for the denial. To me, all the information provided makes absolute sense as it provides a clear explanation. In contrast to Australia and other nations such as the U.S, Chapter eight explains how New Zealand has discouraged the usage of slang in editorial magazines although it is used freely by students. Most of the resistance is cited to have originated from the old educated individuals who see it as old-fashioned. As a result, very few slang terms have been adopted and are in use in New Zealand. Although usage has been considerably low, the earliest slang terms began usage during the time of the missionaries, which was around 13th century. Although Te reo Maori is taught in schools and in use by the media, it is considered slang. In the New Zealand slang, many of the terms used are usually alliterative. Such words include big bikkies referring to things of high monetary value and cow-cocky to refer to a dairy farmer. Generally, New Zealand rural areas are rich in slang. This chapter has given me much information concerning the acceptance of slang in New Zealand. This is one of the few countries that I have discovered allow and even use slang in media. In addition, a language that is nationally accepted as slang is taught in schools. To me, this indicates that although slang faces rejection from the old and that it has not developed in a similar way as other countries’ slang has, it is still accepted since it is taught in schools and used in media. As chapter nine outlines, in Scotland, there is no comprehensive monograph that is devoted to slang. Instead, slang is explained through two historical languages known as Scots and Scottish English. In this country, slang, as a term, is usually seen as expressing disapproval. Mostly, slang is associated with lexis that exists mainly in the informal contexts. In most contexts, Scots has been dismissed either as bad English or as slang for long periods and only managed to be recognized at the national educational level because of work of one linguist who managed to show that when children are allowed to experiment in various languages they can become creative. Some of the most common terms in Scots include tellt, which is a past tense of told. Similar to other nations such as Australia, Scotland also has rhyming slang. The main reason as to why most of the local lexical terms are classified as slang is that usage of a slang term for a long time such as several generations leads to the subject term being called local rather than slang. From a personal perspective, the information provided in this chapter is authentic especially concerning the long usage of slang terms. In fact, the information makes sense especially with adoption of slang terms and viewing them as local rather than slang since they have been used for long periods. Although there are many differences between slang in Scotland and other countries, explanation given concerning slang makes the audience aware of existence of the same in this country in spite of the confusion. As outlined in the tenth chapter, Jamaican slang is mainly borrowed from other nations or generated from the Jamaican Creole. Slang can be seen in contexts of age and restricted usage. Although there are few resources pertaining slang and its usage in Jamaica, this chapter has managed to show its prevalence in the country as well as the specific terms that have been borrowed from other countries such as the US. Mostly, Jamaicans use slang when referring to friends or acquaintances. Some of the words used include mumma for grandmother and fadda to refer to father. Some of the sexual slang words that include fish have begun being avoided because fish meant a homosexual in the past, which brought issues as people tried to buy fish in the market where they would refer to fish as swim-around. Slang is also used widely in salutations in Jamaica. Some of the most common terms include yes I, what a gwaan?, and whaddup? When Jamaicans import slang from abroad, mostly the US, they do so through music as well as entertainment that is facilitated by cable television. In my opinion, the article opened my eyes especially concerning the importation of American slang to Jamaica. This is because it is easy to argue that Jamaican slang is unique and only available in Jamaica because of the pronunciation as well as the culture of Jamaica that is known for creating slang words and using them very well in their dancehall music. However, it is easy for a person to hear these words through the dancehall music that is embedded deeply in Jamaican culture and that has spread globally. The eleventh chapter asserts that significant portion of slang in India has been borrowed from other regions such as the UK and the US. It is confusing to identify slang terms from non-slang ones because some of the terms known as slang outside India are not slang in India. For instance, the terms nab for arresting and goon for a thug are not slang in India. Much of the slang used in UK and US can also be found in India as is the case with terms such as cabbie for a cab driver, fresher for a first year student, puke for vomit and idiot box for a TV. The adoption of slang has also been contributed to by loaning directly from the Indian languages that include Hindi. In my opinion, Indian English is changing in the same way that their economy is robust. Indian slang is expansive and incorporates borrowings from many aspects such as their own languages and even borrowing from foreign countries. This chapter opened my eyes when I learnt that India takes some terms takes as slang in other countries in a formal way. This is unique and different from most countries. However, the idea of influence as is the case with US, UK, Australia, Switzerland, and Jamaica is also found in India through importation of some slang terms. Read More