Slang
Slang
Read about slang in the UK and then do the three exercises.
Language changes all the time. New words and phrases appear and evolve. The words and pronunciations used by young people in the UK can be very different to those used by adults. Living in a multicultural society has an effect on language, especially on young people, whose friends are often from a mix of backgrounds. TV and music also have a big impact on the language of the young. Often UK singers sing in American accents without realising.
Young British people use lots of language that you usually can’t find in most dictionaries. These extremely informal words and expressions are known as ‘slang’. It is not possible to make a complete list of modern British slang. By the time the list was finished, it would be out of date! New words come and go like fashions. However, here are a few examples:
- Safe, sorted, sound, cool or wicked all mean 'That’s good' or 'I understand'.
- Instead of using different tag questions like …isn’t it?, can’t you? or don’t they?, people use innit (e.g., It’s hot here, isn’t it? = It’s hot here, innit!, He can dance really well, can’t he? = He can dance really well, innit! or They always say that, don’t they? = They always say that, innit.).
- Instead of saying very, really or completely use well (e.g., I’m well tired or You got it well wrong!).
- Whatever means I don’t care (e.g., A: But the teacher says we can’t leave until we’ve finished. B: Whatever. I’m going).
- He’s fine or He’s fit both mean He’s good-looking. Fine and fit can describe a boy or a girl.
- A hoodie is a young person who wears a jacket with a hood (a hood keeps your head dry in rainy Britain!). It is a negative word and suggests that the young person might be a troublemaker or even a criminal.
Not everybody uses slang and not everybody likes it. A school in Sheffield, in the north of England, recently instructed its pupils to stop using slang words such as hiya (hello), cheers and ta (both mean thank you). The head teacher says that if young people learn to speak ‘correctly’ this will help them get a place at university and a good job.
When British people use language like this, it’s no surprise that some students say they can’t understand native speakers. But perhaps learners don’t need to worry about communicating with native speakers so much. Research shows that most of the English spoken in the world today is spoken between non-native speakers of the language. In fact, when we think about “International English”, there is no such thing as a native or non-native speaker.
So, how important is it to understand these slang words and expressions? If you watch films or TV in English, read magazines in English, chat online in English or are interested in English song lyrics then understanding slang can be very useful. You probably won’t see much slang in your English exam though.
Comments
Yes, I'm interested because if I know it, I can understand other teenagers. (I'm italian)
Really , I'm so curious about slang in order to understand the lyrics or movies but I think it won't be a big deal if you don't use it while you're studying or working with native speakers.Here is the question what is the difference between informal words and slang words ? they are equal,aren't they (innit )?
Interesting article :)
I think it's useful to learn British slang if you're living in Britain or if you having a British pen pal
I think that it can be useful nowadays ,because most of people use it .And it's a good thing to know .
Cool! Yes, it's really convenient to know the british slangs, principally for me who wants to study in England (I'm Brazilian)
Hi...
Well it is always one of my dreams to learn English perfectly and to speak slang !
When I listen to English I'd prefer to listen to British speakers as I understand them more than Americans, I prefer listening to formal English not informal words as I have a big problem in understanding them, but with all that I wish to learn slang to speak fluently with native speakers.
Thanks
British slang is sometimes uneasy to understand. however, it's very interesting to find out the meaning of the slang word and to think why is it so) It's just like idioms, I guess.
I'm Polish, so it's hard to me to understand British slang ;) But it's very important when you must speaking to British people.
A lot of slang words which I and my friends use are in English (cool, whatever), so it's not so hard to understand slang in some British movies or songs.
I'm in processing(e.g:I'm learning english language):p I have very intrested in to learn british slang words because it's quite cool but another hand we couldn't use in ielts & other english tests..best wishes
I think slangs are cool. I think iit will be cooler when I understand slangs.
I think it will be helpful when I talk to native speakers.
When I read a comicbook in English there's a lot of slang.
Yes.....
I would like to learn british slang
yes i'm interested
Yes,I'm interested on learning british slang cuz this way I can understand better the english language
i like to learn british slang...
look interesting to learn british slang..
Yes, I'm interested
I like to learn british slang...
Yes i am Interested to learn british slang
It looks interesting...........
Yes, of course. If you want to learn a language, you have to know all the words, even the slang, esp when you're teen, slang is wide used by your friends. I'd like to read more examples for slang on this site;).
yes, of course i'm so interesting to learn British slang, because I think it's so interesting and useful when I meet and talk to british people.
Yes, I liking understand British slang and it seems to be difficult. I like use them in English language. Slang words appear and disappear every day in Iran, like others countries, and TV has a biggest impact on it.
How can we learn more slangs?
Hi emitis! I agree that learning slang words is interesting and fun. It's great when you learn a new word or phrase and find just the right moment to use it. Watching films in English is a great way of learning slang expressions. Also, reading - have read any of the articles in our Magazine section? - they're written by young British people who naturally use a lot of current words and expressions. And they're all written in an informal, chatty style - perfect for improving your conversational English!
Does anyone know any good slang expressions in English? Please share you best ones!
Joanna
(LearnEnglish Teens team)
Hi Jo-coordinator. I'm grateful for your guidance.
Best regards
Yes because it will help me in the future to talk easily with my english friends