Slang

Question 1

JONATHON GREEN

Answer 1

Chamber’s Slang Dictionary:

‘Slang is the counter-language’, a language of opposition to the mainstream or the standard

Question 2

Manchester Academy

Answer 2

2008
“Pupils are not allowed to use the phrase ‘innit’ or other examples of ‘playground patois’ when talking to teachers. Formal language must be used at all times in communications with adults and pupils have been told that street slang should be ‘left at the school gates’.”

The school also introduced a uniform policy - making a link between language and dress sense as outward markers of social identity and attitude

The Daily Telegraph reports that exam results ‘soared’ as a consequence of the slang ban – bold and provocative claim with little evidence

Question 3

Code-switching

Answer 3

The ability to shift between language styles or languages

Part of the problem with the anti-slang prescriptivists is that many of them seem to believe that it is the only form of language that some young people use - slang can sit quite happily alongside Standard English.

Question 4

JEAN AITCHISON

Answer 4

“Our linguistic wardrobe contains a range of speech styles”