British slang and dialects Jakub Nojszewski IGD British Slang Slang także język specjalny, argot, gwara środowiskowa – swoista odmiana potocznego języka ogólnonarodowego oparta na odrębności środowiskowej. Odróżnia się tym od dialektu i gwary, wyodrębnionych terytorialnie. Slangi różnicuje się ze względu na środowisko, w którym są używane – do ważniejszych należą slang przestępczy, więzienny, a także młodzieżowy, żeglarski i naukowy. Niekiedy słownictwo typowo slangowe wkracza do języka ogólnego, jednak przeważnie używane jest wtedy do celów humorystycznych, ekspresyjnych i stylizacyjnych Where is it used? As the name suggests, British slang is commonly found all over England. Although, it is not used in Scotland, Ireland or Wales, who all have their own slang. However, although most British people use the same slang, most major cities contain different accents, so the pronunciation of certain words changes. Who uses it and why? The most common reason for using this language is to shorten certain sentences and to get a message across quickly, usually by using abbreviations, and for talking quickly in public. British slang is used in face-to-face situations, texting and email. The most common situation on the net for this slang to occur is on social networking sites. However, newer British slang is only commonly heard from teenagers, it is not used in formal letters or on resumes for example, because it could be seen as inappropriate, unacceptable and rude. The most common medium used for British slang is voice. Common Words Used Common Expressions Language in Context “Stick a pony in me pocket” – Opening credits from ‘Only Fools and Horses’, means “give me 25 pounds”, it was a common phrase at that time (80’s) “Feel like Bangers and Mash?” – Would only be found in food magazines/ adverts on TV, means “Feel like Sausages and Mash Potatoes?” “I’m feeling a bit dicky, twit” – Would be found in comics throughout England, means “I’m feeling a bit unwell, idiot” “Gimme some dosh you geezer” – Could possibly be found in a comic representing a robbery, means “Give me some money, old man” “Come and take a gander at the Eiffel Tower!” – Advert for a trip to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower, means “Come and take a look at the Eiffel Tower” Cockney Rhyming Slang Cockney Rhyming Slang originated in the East End of London. Some slang expressions have left London and are in popular use throughout the rest of Britain. Globally, British and Cockney slang is not very popular, because the slang is overruled by another countries slang. “Rhyming Slang phrases are derived from taking an expression which rhymes with a word and then using that expression instead of the word.” Modern Cockney slang today tends to only rhyme words with the names of celebrities or famous people, simply because it is easier for people to relate to. Strange Cockney Rhyming Examples English Rhymes With Cockney Feet Plates of meat Plates Teeth Hampstead Heeth Hampsteads Legs Scotch Eggs Scotches Eyes Mince Pies Minces Arms Chalk Farms Chalk Farms Hair Barnet Fair Barnet Head Loaf of bread Loaf Face Boat race Boat race Mouth North and South North and South Cockney Rhyming Sentence Examples “See you later, alligator” – “See you later” “Pass the army, will you?” – “Pass the gravy, will you?” “The trouble’s been shopping again” – “The wife’s been shopping again” “She’s a bit daffy” – “She’s a bit silly” “Use your crust, lad” – “Use your head, lad” “Stick it up your Khyber” – “Stick it up your arse” “What beautiful minces” – “What beautiful eyes” “I can smell a raspberry” – “I can smell a fart” “Where’s my weasel?” – “Where’s my coat?” “Could you lend me an oxford?” – “Could lend me a dollar?” Has it changed overtime? British slang has derived from Elizabethan times in (1558), and around Shakespeare's lifetime. However, over time words have gradually been made simpler and easier to say (because human’s got lazy). Even simple words like ‘twas’, which nows means ‘it was’ have changed slowly over time. A word that has been shortened slightly is ‘Give me leave to’, which now means ‘allow me to’. Dialekt Dialekt ("rozmowa, sposób mówienia") – regionalna odmiana języka, odznaczająca się swoistymi cechami , leksykalnymi itp. Dialektami nazywane są różne odmiany jednego języka mówionego. O uznaniu jakiejś mowy za język, raczej niż za dialekt innego (nadrzędnego) języka decydują w znacznie większym stopniu czynniki pozajęzykoznawcze, niż językoznawcze. Words for ‘splinter’ spell spelk speel spill splie spool splint shiver silver source: Upton, C. & J. Widdowson (1996). An Atlas of English Dialects. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 13/14 Bibliography List British Slang Words, Barrow, M, British Sayings/Idioms, What is cockney rhyming slang? Cockney Rhyming Slang Wikipedia,