浅谈美国现代俚语

广东外语外贸大学公开学院本科毕业论文( 2013 届)论文题目Remarks on Modern American Slang（英文）论文题目浅谈美国现代俚语（中文）专业英语教育班级2013级本科准考证号011114300840考生刘利玉指导教师张艳交稿时间论文成绩Remarks on Modern American SlangLiu LiyuAbstract:Expressions that can be called slang make up a major part of American communication in movies, television, radio, newspapers, magazines and informal spoken conversation. This paper looks at the characteristics and the formations of modern American slang. Also, an attempt is made to further discuss the rhetorical features of American slang. In order to have a better communication with American people and a better understanding of the communication, the study of slang is necessary. Key words: American slang; characteristics and formations; rhetorical features浅谈美国现代俚语刘利玉摘要:俚语在美国的电影、电视剧、无线电广播、报纸、杂志以及在非正式口语交谈中都占据了美国交流的大部分。

这篇文章尝试着回答美国现代俚语有哪些特征以及它是如何形成的。

除此之外，还将会对英语俚语中涉及的各类修辞格进行深入的讨论。

通过加深对美国俚语的认识，加强与外籍朋友的交际能力。

关键词：美国俚语；特点和形成；修辞Contents1Introduction (4)2Literature review (4)3Brief analyses of modern American slangs (4)3.1Definition (4)3.2Characteristics (5)3.2.1Brevity (5)3.2.2Novelty (5)3.2.3Instability (6)4Rhetorical devices (7)4.1Lexical rhetorical devices (7)4.1.1Metapho r (7)4.1.2Euphemism (7)4.1.3Irony (8)4.1.4Metonymy (8)4.2Phonetic rhetorical devices (8)4.2.2Alliteration and Rhyme (9)5Conclusion (9)Works cited (10)Remarks on Modern American SlangGuangdong University of Foreign Studies 2013 Liu LiyuTutor: Zhang yan1IntroductionExpressions that can be called slang make up a major part of American communication in movies, television, radio, newspapers, magazines and informal spoken conversation. This paper looks at the characteristics and the formations of modern American slang. Also, an attempt is made to further discuss the rhetorical features of American slang. In order to have a better communication with American people and a better understanding of the communication, the study of slang is necessary. 2Literature reviewMany researchers have studied the characteristics and formations of American slang. In this paper the writer will briefly analyse them and will further discuss the rhetorical devices of Modern American slang. There are many papers have discussed the lexical rhetorical devices of American slang. This paper not only want to mention the lexical rhetorical devices but also the phonetic rhetorical devices of American slang as well.3Brief analyses of modern American slangs3.1DefinitionMany linguists are trying to define slang. As for the definition of slang, different people may have different ideas. There have been various definitions on slang since its birth. Many of them are very impressive:“Slang is a language which takes off its coat, rolls up its sleeves, spits on its hands—and goes to work” (Carl Sandburg 1878-1967). “Slang is the speech of him who robs the literary garbage cans on their way to the dumps” (Ambrose Bierce，Epigrams p. 358). Also, the definition of slang offered by Wikipedia is “Slang consists of a lexicon of non-standard words and phrases in a given language.”At present, a more acceptable andobjective definition is offered by Longman Dictionary of English Language & Culture (English-Chinese):“…very informal language that includes new and sometimes not polite words and meanings, is often used among particular groups of people, and is usually not used in serious speech or writing”. (1649)All in all, from the above-mentioned definitions, we can find that slang refers to the rude, dirty, indecent, informal and impolite language used by certain social groups i.3.2CharacteristicsAmerican slang is a language of highly colloquial type. According to Partridge, “Slang must always be related to convenience rather than to scientific laws, grammatical rules and philosophical ideals” (Eric Honeywood Partridge ，6 February 1894 – 1 June 1979). It does not only bring convenience to users, but also has its unique characteristics—brevity, novelty, instability.3.2.1BrevityThe characteristic of brevity refers to the fact that American slang is concise, convenient and economic. The characteristic of brevity can be realized either by apocope, such as pic for picture, cig for cigarette, bro for brother, or by blending two words, such as the word Weisure =work + leisure(工闲)1；smirting=smoking +flirting （借火搭讪）2;transumer=transient +consumer(旅游购物狂)3; Frenemy= friend+ enemy(友敌)4. Additionally, some American slang words are coined by acronym. For instance, DINKWAD (double income, no kids, with a dog); JOMO (joy of missing out)5; K.O (knock out), IOW (in other words); ASAP (as soon as possible) are all slang phrases formed by means of acronym and they are quite terse, concise and quick.From the above-mentioned examples, a conclusion can be arrived at that many slang words or phrases are created by means of abbreviation. As a result, the newly-coined words or phrases can be used conveniently, economically and easily. And this characteristic of brevity of American slang caters to the effective and concise lifestyle of the American people.3.2.2NoveltyIn the process of language development and evolution, American slang has evolved from the cant and jargon subordinate to the subculture to the presently accepted words and phrases. And it can be frequently seen in such fields as literature, magazine and 1Refers to free time spent doing work or work-related tasks. Weisure time is fitting fun around work, rather than fitting work around fun. It’s kind of like eating lunch at your desk.2Smirting is the practice of smoking and flirting outside public places such as pubs, bars, cafés, restaurants, and office buildings where smoking is prohibited.3They are consumers who increasingly live a transient lifestyle, freeing themselves from the hassles of permanent ownership and possessions.4Refer to either an enemy disguised as a friend or to a partner who is simultaneously a competitor.5The pleasure derived from no longer worrying about missing out on what other people are doing or saying.media report. Although it cannot be used on some occasions, it is not only used by people from the lower stratum of society but also by people in the upper-class nowadays. What brings about such change? It is its novelty that attracts many people’s interest in the use of slang. All kinds of fresh and interesting expressions emerge constantly; they can easily catch the eyes of people. The newly-coined slang words and phrases are extremely novel, fresh and vivid. For example, the American slang words big shot（大人物）, airhead(傻蛋),couch potato(电视迷),party animal(派对狂). Sometimes slang words are coined by someone for the pleasure of novelty and used by people who try to keep up with the latest trends. For example, Bieber Fever6,Gleek7,Hen-pecked(妻管严)，Smilence(笑而不语) .With the development of science and technology and the improvement of the social life of people, many new things and concepts have sprung up like mushrooms. Afro (蓬松成圆形的发式)，Hot line(热线) ，rock and roll (摇滚)，Hacker(黑客)。