The Effects of Slang On Language

Slangs can have both positive and negative effects on language. Positively, slangs can broaden language by adding new words, promote cohesion within social groups, and help develop new concepts. However, negative effects include an inability to differentiate between informal and formal language settings, appearing uneducated when using slangs in formal situations, potentially offending those unfamiliar with certain slangs, and making standard written expression more difficult.

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The Effects of Slang On Language

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Dwayne Roland

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The Effects of Slangs on Language

Slangs has both positive and negative effects on language,

here are some examples of both positive and negative effects:
Positive Effects
 Slangs broadens the Language by adding new words, for
example the word adorbs meaning cute or adourable.
These respellings or intervention of new words is mostly
because of the increasing use of communication via
electronic text. This als helps to keep the language fresh.

 It gives persons a sense of belonging to a specific group

or community. Slangs promotes cohesion in a community
and is a integral part of culture. It therefore brings a bond
and an understanding between members of a specific
community. For example they may put phrases together
into one word or few words to bring out an expression.

 It also helps to develop new idea and concepts. Not all

slangs disappear even if its not added to a dictiontionary
or even just used informally but may step into the formal
use, some persons may use the term ‘hang out’
informally whilst this term is also used in professional
settings.

Negative Effects
 Persons are unable to differentiate between the informal
use of slangs and the formal language. Often times
persons may use slangs unconciously in a formal setting,
this is because they have become comfortable and
accustom to using slangs it has now become apart of
them and therefore causes them to become unable to
differentiate when its unacceptable to use slangs.

 Slangs are used casually, however using this in a formal

setting will make u seem uneducarted or not serious
about something. This may send a wrong signal to
someone that may not understand or not familiar with the
particular slang. For example at an interview persons are
expected to speak standard English.

 Because slang is mostly used informally it may come over

as offensive to someone that is not familiar wit it in a
specific group. For example ‘wam dwag’ used between a
group of friends is normal but using the same term to
someone who isnt apart of the group might be offended.

 It makes it harded for persons to express themselves in a

standard expression. In a conversation with others outside
a social group an individual may incounter difficulty in
expressing themelves to others.

 The use of slang has somehow made writing difficult.

Persons are so use to using slangs that is has become
apart of their written expression. Thus making it harder
for teachers to reinforce the importance of standard
English.