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CHAPTER II UNDERLYING THEORY

In this chapter, I describe some theories which are connected with slang words as the main analysis. The theories deal with slang, forms of slang, function of slang, factor contributing in using slang and effect of using slang.

II.1

Definition of Slang

According to Leech and Svartvik (1981: 26), slang is language used by a particular social group to show intimacy and solidarity among its members which are not fully understood by those outside the group. This statement is strengthened by Spolsky (1998: 35) who defined slang as the language used by the peer group and gang speech to demonstrate privacy among members. In addition, Tryti in Bandle et al. (2005:1950) stated that slang is a kind of distortion which is not conditioned dialectically from the standard language. Syal (2007:57) states that slang is different from dialect and sociolect. Dialect follows geographical border lines. In the other hand, slang does not primarily follow geographical border lines. Sociolect is an expression which is used by people coming from social background. Otherwise, slang is used by specific peer group or gang.

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II.2

Characteristics of Slang

There are many kinds of slang word. Those slangs are formed in different ways. Based on the some theories, I find some characteristics of slang. The theory is taken from Kemmer (2001:1).

2.2.1. Register characteristics

a. Not part of the Standard language

b. Informal. Not likely to be used in formal contexts

c. Typically oral, rather than written

d. Can be taboo

2.2.2. Group characteristics

a. Associated with certain social groups that are not part of "establishment"

b. Favored by young

c. Often found with groups DISfavored by society: criminals; poorer groups; minority ethnic groups; drug addicts; hobos; other itinerant groups that the settled majority fears; in general, the powerless

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d. Typically used as a marker of an 'in-group' (borders here on jargon, which is the technical terminology of a community of experts); i.e. slang terms can be shibboleths marking group membership.

e. Typically marks a subculture, an elaborated set of behaviors associated with a group within a larger group.

2.2.3. Semantic characteristics

a. Often found in taboo semantic domains such as sex, drugs, violence, bodily elimination (including defecation, vomiting, burping, etc.), body parts associated with sex and elimination, and death (this semantic characteristic often goes with taboo register)

b. Often vividly metaphorical. Picturesque (e.g. Australian liquid laugh)

c. Often involve exaggeration

2.2.4. Formal characteristics

a. Often short, punchy words (e.g. smack, dope, screw) or compounds of these (blow job, jerk-off (n.), pizza-face

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b. Certain sounds favored (language-specifically). In English, oral stops; final /z/ and /ts/, spelled with z or zz (fizz, shizz )nonconventional clusters (e.g. in English, schl-, schm-, as in schlong 'penis', schmuck 'jerk' from Yiddish)

c. Can involve creative respellings (e.g. warez 'pirated software')

d. Reduplication often favored (bling-bling, now simplified to bling)

e. Language game formation often favored (e.g. Cockney rhyming slang); rhyme, alliteration, systematic deformations (e.g. -izzle addition, as in shizzle)

2.2.5. Other characteristics

a. Often a novel creation

b. Often conventionalized only in a subgroup

c. Very subject to change in form, degree of conventionality, meaning (e.g. swell, swag).

d. Novelty highly prized; hence slang words rather transient

e. Often designed to be offensive to out-group members or "establishment"

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d. Can be regional (e.g. Cockney Rhyming Slang) but more often dispersed geographically and associated with a subculture.

II.3

Function of Slang

Bandle et al (2005: 1951) explained the most social function of slang as group identity marker. It can be said that a person who use certain slang comes from a certain group. The other function is to strengthen group solidarity and to sign ones speech partner that they are speaking in certain situation for example in formal or intimate.

Function of Speech

Beside function of slang, I need to find out when the users use slang in their conversation. There are certain situations when the students use slangs in their communication. It is considered as the function of their speech. Holmes (1992:259) categorized the function of speech in several ways:

a.

Expressive: to express personal feelings, thoughts, ideas and opinions e.g. Im feeling great today (Holmes, 1992:259).

b.

Directive: giving orders or making requests by using imperative statements e.g. clean the table (Holmes, 1992:259). An imperative statement may express a strict demand or it can seem less

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demanding by using the politeness strategy or through using question tags in the case of informality between senior and junior

c.

Referential: to convey information and this is done through different forms of speech, such as declarative, interrogative statements or alternative question e.g. At the third stroke it will be there oclock precisely (Holmes, 1992:259)

d.

Metalinguistic: it is used to describe parts of language such as grammar, or words that describe language itself e.g. Hegemony is not a common word (Holmes, 1992:259).

e.

Poetic: utterances focus on aesthetic features of language e.g. poem, an ear-catching, motto, a rhyme, Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers (Holmes, 1992:259).

f.

Phatic: it is one of the most common speech acts in everyday interactions; it consists of greetings, complements, gossip, etc. for greeting a friend e.g. Hi, How are you, lovely day isnt it! (Holmes, 1992:259).

II.4

Factor Contributing in Using Slang

There are many reasons why students use slangs in their conversation. According to Dalzell in an article The Power of Slang (2005), there are four factors contributing in using slang. They are youth, oppression, sport

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and vice. Generally, in looking for students motivation in using slang word, I focus on youth factors. In his article, Dalzell states that, Youth slang is a core element of youth culture, as a defiant gesture of resistance and an emblem of tribe identity (2005). Furthermore, Thorne (2004) says that teenagers want to assert their independence from adults and identify with unique culture. According to Thongkamdee (1998), teens use slang words to make sentences shorter, faster and easier to say.

II.5.

Effect of Using Slang

Using slang in the communication can cause language loss. Holmes states that With the spread of a majority group language into more and more domains, the number of context in which individualis use the ethnic language diminishes (1992: 58). However, the language loss can be maintained. Holmes (1992:63) gives several factors that can help to maintain the language. There are:

a.

If families from a minority group live near each other and see each other frequently.

b.

The degree and frequency of contact with the homeland.

c.

The support from the institutional likes school, university, and media.