Author(s)

Jingzi Zhang ¹

Affiliation(s)

¹ Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710129, China

Corresponding Author

Jingzi Zhang

ABSTRACT

Slang, as a predominant form of informal language, is widely used in American society for decades. Americans use slang not only for daily communication and spread of information, but also for many social functions, like to create relaxing communication atmosphere, to seek self-identity, to enhance cohesion and to cater people’s need for innovate expression. This paper will start with the emergence and development of American slang, which contain the historical and cultural background in America. Then the paper will analyze the linguistic and rhetorical characteristics of American slang from different aspects, and discuss the social functions of American slang. By considering the linguistic phenomenon of slang using under the social situation in America, this paper will give a basic analysis of slang using in America from the perspective of sociolinguistics.

KEYWORDS

American slang, social function, linguistic feature

CITE THIS PAPER

Jingzi Zhang, A Sociolinguistics Analysis of Slang in America. Lecture Notes on Language and Literature (2023) Vol. 6: 12-16. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/langl.2023.060203.

REFERENCES

[1] Jinmei Liu, "The Sociocultural Psychology of American Slang", Journal of Hubei University for Nationalities, vol.23, pp. 104-106, 2005.
[2] Jiwen Li. "Analysis on the Characteristics of American Slang and the Reasons for the Prevalence". Journal of Suzhou Education Institute, vol. 20, no. 5, pp. 56-57, 2017.
[3] Qun Li. "The Humor and Liberalization of American Slang". Journal of Sichuan International Studies University, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 107-110, 2005.
[4] González, F, Abbreviations and American slang. English Today, 8 (3), 39-44, 1992.
[5] Han Cui, Fengli Hua, et al. "The Rhetoric and Translation of American Slang". Modern Communication, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 89, 2016.
[6] Xiongyong Cheng. "A New Study on the Characteristics of Modern American Slang from the perspective of Sociolinguistics". Foreign Languages Research, vol. 37, no. 3, pp. 66-69, 2015.
[7] Li Wang. "The Origination and Social Function of American Slang". Journal of Hunan University of Science and Engineering, vol. 26, no. 8, pp. 156-158, 2006.
[8] Yanchun Zhou, Yanhong Fan. "A Sociolinguistic Study of American Slang". Theory and Practice in Language Studies, vol. 3, no. 12, No. 12, pp. 2209-2213, 2013.
[9] Jiaying Hu. "Basic Features and Social Functions of American Slang". Academic Exchange, vol. 18, no. 8, pp. 154-156, 2003.
[10] Jiulin Guo. "Slang: A mirror of American subcultures". Journal of Dalian University for Nationalities, vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 59-64, 2001.

Sponsors, Associates, and Links

---

• Journal of Language Testing & Assessment
  
  
• Information and Knowledge Management
  
  
• Military and Armament Science
  
  
• Media and Communication Research
  
  
• Journal of Human Movement Science
  
  
• Art and Performance Letters
  
  
• Lecture Notes on History
  
  
• Philosophy Journal
  
  
• Science of Law Journal
  
  
• Journal of Political Science Research
  
  
• Journal of Sociology and Ethnology
  
  
• Advances in Broadcasting