English slang: the subtleties of using slang expressions

Those who are at the conversational stage of learning the language, often think about whether you need to know English slang. The answer is positive, because the correct use of such words significantly expands your understanding of foreign interlocutors. The first thing you need to understand before you start studying this topic: slang in English is not necessarily a profanity, but words that are used by people belonging to a particular profession or group: students, school children, computer scientists, musicians, etc.

The social form of speech

In order to delve into the study of language jargon, it is necessary to determine its main sources. Youth slang in English was formed mainly at the expense of immigrants, music, business, the underworld, computerization, among informal social groups and teenagers.

The formulation of such expressions does not have any grammatical rules. English slang denies the usual norms for the language. Nevertheless, it is necessary to know exactly how and in what situations one or another word should be used. Incorrect use of jargon can cause laughter, bewilderment or even resentment of the interlocutor.

The grammatical side of jargon

The tourist will instantly feel the difference between the live speech of the carriers and the standard rules from the school textbooks. Abbreviations of some words and expressions are also considered elements of slang speech.

Let's take a look at some examples:
• going to converts to gonna;
• want - wanna;
• I'm (I am) - ama;
• yes (yes) - yep (American version);
• do not know - dunno;
• because (because) - cause (also serves as an independent word, which in Russian translates as "reason");
• betcha - to argue;
• dammit (short for damn it) - damn it;
• dreamboat - a handsome man;
• gimme (American version from give me) - "give me".

There are words that have both standard meaning and slang. For example, the expression bless you - "bless you" has acquired the additional meaning of "be healthy", which is used after sneezing. Everyone knows the adjective cool (fresh, cool), which is now also translated as "cool", "cool".

Business communication has its grammatical abbreviations, most of them we know from school:
• Mr. - Mister;
• Mrs. - Mrs.
• Dr is a doctor;
• etc - and so on;
• eg - for example.

English slang in correspondence

At every step in Internet communication, various abbreviations are used in writing slang expressions. Let's analyze several acronyms of colloquial speech:

• U (you) - you, you.

• Lol (Laughing out loud) - the Russian analogue can be considered the phrase "rzhunimagu." This abbreviation will add to your message a touch of humor and carefree. To replace Lol, there is ROFL, which means that the interlocutor literally "rolls on the floor because of laughter".

• The combination of letters BRB (soon to be returned) is used in cases when you are compelled to go somewhere and at this time you will not be able to answer.

• G2G (got to go) should be a good way to end the conversation before leaving the chat.

• Instead of writing a fairly long in my opinion, you can shortly type IMO and continue to write your opinion.

Differences between English and American slang

The biggest misconception of Russian-speaking speakers is that people from Britain easily understand Americans. This is not so, because certain words of these two peoples have different meanings.

With the English in this regard, it's easier to communicate. Most of them are very polite people and can literally apologize a hundred times for household trifles or for what they have not even committed. But if you are in America and hear the word sorry from behind, do not rush to admire: maybe there is a policeman behind you who is ready to write a fine for some offense.

Consider the meaning of some expressions:

• ass for an Englishman denotes an ordinary ass, for an American this is the "fifth point" and a word that can be called a bad person;

• pissed - in the United States this word is called a dissatisfied person, and in Britain - drunk;

• to shag in America means the verb "to dance", but if with his help in England try to invite a girl to dance, the consequences can be the most unexpected;

• bloody is used by Americans in the literal sense - bloody, in Britain this word is most often meant as "damned", "damn";

• the verb to table smth in English means "to discuss", but if you say it in America, then your interlocutors will understand that you want to postpone the conversation for another time.

A few tips

English slang, phrases and words of which are an important component of any language, you need to know, for you risk not understanding half of the conversation with your foreign interlocutor. Without the knowledge of speech itself, the use of jargon is unacceptable, since illiteracy does not contribute to the infusion of a person into a particular company.

It is important to remember that youth slang is not a dictionary of abusive expressions, but the style of certain social groups. To use unscrupulous "samizdat" with a questionable translation is highly discouraged. In the modern world there is a large number of dictionaries created by well-known linguists who will become faithful assistants to anyone who wants to learn English slang.