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Abstract
The use of slang language is increasing day-by-day. Therefore while
discussing with our Sir we came up with a thought that don't we
research on something related to slang. And while surfing on the net
one webpage catches our attention, with the title “OMG: IM slang is
invading everyday English” on Digital cultures site, written by Neda
Ulaby, which says that
After reading this we were shocked that how much IM slang have
influenced the English of English speakers. Then we came up with the
query that how much this slang has affected our society?
Introduction
Slang is sometimes creating problems for many people to
understand the complete meaning of the speaker. On the other
hand slang is helping people to communicate with others easily. A
new slang word is being used on the eve of next day. Teachers are
complaining about the use of slang words like u instead of you,
bcoz instead of because, ur instead of your etc. in the papers, and
this thing is deducting the marks of the students. Children are
using slang words as coded message as it is not very
understandable to the parents.
In English, mostly the speaking language is more casual than the
writing language which is more formal and also keeps eyes upon
the tenses and grammar, whereas in speaking we do not bother
about the grammar and tenses until speaker and listener are able to
communicate. But we observed that this slang language is not only
informal but also even more contracted that the speaking English.
Research Question
After discussing with our teacher we came up with the following
research questions:
Through R.Q.1 we tried to find that how many people are using
slang words, and also that the slang words are not confined to one
gender, or to one profession. In R.Q.2 we tried to find that why this
slang language is getting common in our everyday life. What are
the causes behind using this slang language instead of
conventional English or any other language. With the help of R.Q.3
we make an effort to analyze the impact of slang on the English of
users, that how slang language have helped or hindered them.
Literature Reviews
Definition of slang
There are many definitions of the word slang but we are concerned
these ones. Tong, McIntyre and Silmon (1997) in the journal named
“Journal of Correctional Education” describes the word “slang” as
shorthand, coded terminology that develops within social groups or when
individuals regularly interact in a certain setting or context over a long
period of time.
According to the Wikipedia:
Slang is the use of highly informal words and expressions that are not
considered standard in the speaker's dialect or language. Slang is the
formulation of words on IM through internet or phones to contract it to the
word which is which has the same sound to that of the original one, or
sometimes slang is formulated as an acronym (e.g. LOL=Laughing Out
Loud, BRB=Be Right back etc.) to shorten some lengthy expression. It also
include the emoticon, which are used by sender to express his/her feelings
or emotions pertaining to any action or thing.
Slang on SMS
Slang on Internet
Methodology
We thought that questionnaire would be the right choice to collect
the data about the research questions. Therefore we assembled a
questionnaire, and participants mostly students and teachers filled it.
The total number of participants who filled the questionnaire were
53. Details about the participants are given in the table1 below.
Analysis
We analyzed the data collected from the questionnaire on different
bases depending on the type of question. We analyze some
observations on the bases of gender some on the profession and
some on the bases of the age groups of the participants. We are
showing most of our findings in the form of different types of
graphs for easy understanding.
Findings
We have found that most of the people use slang words if we the
percentage of people constantly using slang words and the people
using it sometimes add up to 91% of the total participants which
shows that slang language is very common.
Graph on the left side below shows the opinions that how many
people understand the slang language. This shows that about
72% of the participants understand slang meanings.
The graph on the left shows the means/reasons which are more
popularizing the use of slang language. Cell phones and chatting
covers the major portion of the graph which is about 81% of the
total reasons, which is very extensive. Cell phones itself covers more
than 50% of the area.
The above graph shows the opinion of people that how many
people use slang words. Graph is accompanied with a table
which sows the details.
The opinions have showed that peoples mostly use slang words in
sms because they want to save time and money. They accumulates
to a total of 68% of total. This percentage increase up to 100% for
age group of 23-25 years for the participants.
Data shows that most of the people not only have used slang
words but also have formulated some new ones. And in reply to
the question that will slang language become common in near
future most of the people more specifically 71% of the people say
yes.
When asked that they have used any slang words in the exams or any
professional piece of writing most of the people replied never but
when asked in personal interview most of the people said that they
unintentionally use slang word in their papers but in rechecking they
rectify the use of slang word.
These are some slang words which are very common in our society
and most of the people understand these words according to the data.
i. U = You
ii. Bcoz = Because
iii. LOL = Laughing Out Loud
iv. AOA = Asalam-o-Alikum
v. 4 = For
vi. 4m = From
vii. Gr8 = Great
viii. F9 = Fine
ix. Thx = Thanks
x. Tc = Take Care
Conclusion
The slang language is influencing our English whether we admit it or
not. We are forgetting the difference between a formal and informal
piece of writing and we are using the slang language not only in our
IM or sms but also in our professional fields. More and more peoples
are start using and understanding the slang language.
We cannot say for sure but a day may come when everybody talks,
writes and reads in slang language instead of any other conventional
language.
References
1. Neda Ulaby (February 7,2008)
“OMG: IM Slang is invading everyday English”
(Digital Cultures)
2. Kristen Philipkoski (February 22, 2005)
“The Web not the Death of Language”
(Wired News)
3. Geoffrey K. Pullum
“English in Deep Trouble?”
(Language Log)
6. John Brandon
“ FWIW - The origin of „Net Shorthand‟ ”
(Computerworld.com)
Appendix
The questionnaire used for the research
Note : We make sure that this piece of document will solely be used for research
purpose and after completion of our project we will destroy this piece of
document.
We want to collect data for our research question that “Is slang language
influencing our English”. Therefore, we are taking opinions of different peoples
through questionnaire. Hope that you will give true opinions on the following
questions
The word slang has very vast meanings, but here we are using it for the
shortened words used in cell phone messaging (sms), chatting and other
forms of writing.
For example : LOL = Laughing Out Loud, 4m = from, u = you, g8 = great
Q. 3. Do you think most persons understand the complete meanings of the slang words
Agree
Disagree
Don’t know
Q. 4. In your opinion what percentage of people use slang words mostly?
0 - 20%
21 - 40%
41 - 60%
61 - 80%
81 - 100%
Q. 7. When you encounter such words do you think you are enable to crack its complete
meaning.
Mostly
Often
Sometimes
On every occasion
Little
Can’t crack complete meaning
Q. 9. Do you think slang words convey the complete meaning of what you are trying to
say.
Agree
Disagree
Sometime yes
Don’t know
Q. 10. Do you think you have produced some new slang words.
YES NO
Q. 11. Have you ever used such kind of words in your exams/professional piece of
document, whether intended or casually.
Many times
Sometimes
Always
Never
Never noticed
Q. 12. In your opinion, slang words should be allowed to use educational institutes,
and professional fields.
Strongly agree
Agree
Can’t say
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Q. 13. Do you think slang words will become very common in near future?
Yes
No
Don’t know
Q. 14. Do you think using slang words have worsen your spellings.
Agree
Disagree
Can’t say
Q. 15. Do you think the slang words have some influence on your English.
Greatly
Slightly
Moderately
Not at all