SLANG is misunderstood. Let’s get one thing out of the way from the outset – ‘‘slang’’ refers to a particular type of informal spoken or written phrases. Street language, if you like. It has absolutely nothing to do with pronunciation or accent.
Slang is often defined regionally or by a particular social group. It may appear and disappear from use very quickly, in line with social trends. Other slang words may remain in informal use for centuries. Slang is usually considered inappropriate for formal, especially written, contexts.
Here are some examples of British slang:
1. bloke
2. sack (something) off
3. a (total/absolute/complete) mare
4. up for it
5. to cane something
Are they familiar? Here are the meanings, jumbled up:
a) to abandon/quit/end something you are fed up with
b) to be keen on doing something
c) to consume or perform an act with vigour and enthusiasm
d) a man
e) a horrible experience
See the answers at the bottom of the article.
Here are some examples of how they are used:
1. He’s a really good bloke. Reliable.
2. I think you should sack it off. It’s not going anywhere.
3. That meeting was an absolute mare. Khalid just wouldn’t stop going on about his figures.
4. So are you up for dinner tonight? Maybe we could meet around 8?
5. I don’t have much time to prepare slides so I’m gonna cane ’em during lunch time.
Slang often exists and circulates in spoken form for a long time before it is written down or recorded in dictionaries. Many slang phrases are never recognised in this way.
The examples I have given above are reasonably common and would be understood by most British people and many other native speakers (the context alone would be enough).
So why is slang important? It matters because everyone uses it and because it is a mark of socialisation. Understanding and being able to use slang competently is a requirement of acceptance within a particular linguistic group.
Many language courses neglect slang in favour of more formal language. Of course, it is important to know the standard form, but in real interactions with real people, especially spoken interactions, slang plays a critical role. Over-reliance on the formal language makes you sound quaint and outdated, which may suggest you are inadequately socialised or “out of touch”.
Slang is equally critical in business contexts because much business is conducted in informal settings – over lunch, at events or during a game of golf. Therefore, it’s as important for me to know the slang expressions of Malaysian English and Bahasa Malaysia as it would be for you to know British slang if you go to live, study or work in Britain.
One word of caution, however. You have to strike the right balance between slang and more formal, ‘safe’ language. A lot of slang developed on the street, with all of the colour you’d expect to find there. Be sure to check whether the expressions you are picking up might cause offence, and why.
You can make use of a good slang dictionary, such as peevish.co.uk, to help you out.
Have a good one (Enjoy yourself)
Answers
1-d 2-a 3-e 4-b 5-c
Tom Hayton is a Business Trainer with the Professional Development Unit (PDU), at the British Council Malaysia. The PDU offers a wide range of learning opportunities from management and communication skills training to developing English skills. Visit its website at www.britishcouncil.org.my or e-mail thomas.hayton@britishcouncil.org.my
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