SOCIOLINGUISTICS

CHARACTERISTICS OF SLANG
Slang is a variety of language which is known as a non standard language. It is called non standard because this language does not follow the regular syntax, grammar, phonetic, and pragmatic of a standard language. The apparent characteristics of slang words are humorous and (sometimes) rude/rough. Many words in slang are considered rough and impolite. Therefore people who are going to use slang in conversations need to be aware the meaning of the slang words they are using unless they will create problems or misunderstandings. Another characteristic of slang is inconsistent in terms of meaning. Slang is a kind of dynamic language. It happens because slang deals with vocabulary or lexicon in which they are susceptible to change. Take for example the word cool and gay. A couple years ago the word cool represents low temperature while the word gay represents cheerfulness. Today, the meaning of those two words has changed. Specifically for the word cool, these days it represents not only low temperature but also something great or good. While in the word gay in which the previous meaning is cheerful the meaning is now totally different. Gay no longer represents cheerfulness but a man who is sexually attracted to someone of the same sex. It is very dangerous when people use the word gay in a sentence Im gay. The person may intend to say Im cheerful yet this statement can end up with unwanted feedback because others will likely get shocked when they heard such statement.