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Let's talk about linguistics and racist microaggressions for a moment here
I shared this post because it was (and still is) funny.
I saw a comment where someone (not naming namws) decided to let me know they were proud they didn't understand it. I thought I would fill them in
I shared this post because it was (and still is) funny.
I saw a comment where someone (not naming namws) decided to let me know they were proud they didn't understand it. I thought I would fill them in
And that's when they decided to be rude.
So we're going to talk about slang.
"Slang is a colloquial departure from standard usage; it is often imaginative, vivid, and ingenious in its construction.”
This definition just brushes the surface.
So we're going to talk about slang.
"Slang is a colloquial departure from standard usage; it is often imaginative, vivid, and ingenious in its construction.”
This definition just brushes the surface.
Slang helps bring people together through shared language. It often comes from groups and communities without a lot of institutionalized power.
(Sources/resources will be shared in final tweet of thread)
(Sources/resources will be shared in final tweet of thread)
In fact, a lot of slang we use is often derived from Black communities, their language being used online and then co-opted by other groups now that the internet makes it easy to access.
To call this language "devolved" and "uneducated" is quite frankly grounded in racist roots, as it basically stems from the stereotype that Black people are less educated and can't speak correctly.
Now, let's also address the "devolved" comment on particular. Does slang degrade language development?
Well, let's hear what Professor Anne Curzan, professor of English and Linguistics at the University of Michingan has to say
Well, let's hear what Professor Anne Curzan, professor of English and Linguistics at the University of Michingan has to say
"Slang is an important part of language change... When people create new slang, they are playing with language — and some of that play will result in more lasting change.”
Slang has and always will be a dedicated, important aspect of any language. Some pieces of slang come and go, others remain incorporated permanently.
So, in summary
Most modern slang derives from communities without institutional power seeking common ground, with most modern slang in the US coming from Black communities.
Most modern slang derives from communities without institutional power seeking common ground, with most modern slang in the US coming from Black communities.
Calling slang devolved and uneducated doesn't just discount slang as an important linguistics tool but is also deeply rooted in racism
Always seek to educate yourself, and never pride yourself on ignorance.
Here are some sources and resources I used
https://medium.com/@llanirfreelance/slang-humans-linguistic-creativity-at-work-not-linguistic-corruption-817734a8353a
https://www.linguisticsociety.org/content/what-ebonics-african-american-english
https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_55ccda07e4b064d5910ac8b3
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.insider.com/internet-slang-origin-i-oop-meaning-sksk-vsco-girls-stans-2020-1%3famp
Here are some sources and resources I used
https://medium.com/@llanirfreelance/slang-humans-linguistic-creativity-at-work-not-linguistic-corruption-817734a8353a
https://www.linguisticsociety.org/content/what-ebonics-african-american-english
https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_55ccda07e4b064d5910ac8b3
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.insider.com/internet-slang-origin-i-oop-meaning-sksk-vsco-girls-stans-2020-1%3famp
