Should Slang be banned in Schools?

Slang is the continual and ever-changing use and definition of words in informal conversation,
often using references as a means of comparison or showing likeness. Some modern slang has
endured over the decades since its inception (i.e. cool) and some will only last a few years before
being rendered obsolete or outdated (i.e. bling bling). Slang can be born from any number of
situations or ideas (the word slang itself has come to represent selling, especially of illegal
drugs), and can be blunt or riddled with metaphor, and often quite profound.
As if there was not already enough to learn when we are trying to master the art of speaking
English, an informal language all of its own exists within this tricky tongue. This is the language
of English slang: the words that are not usually taught within formal English courses, but that we
will hear all around you when we are conversing with native speakers. We could think of this as
real life English, because although it is not appropriate in an academic context, it is a vital
element of everyday communication, without which we may struggle to understand what native
speakers are saying to us.
For example, the British currency is officially known as the pound sterling, but many more
informal terms exist to describe money in the UK. Pounds is the way we will most often hear it
referred to as, but quid is an equally common slang word for it as in It costs fifty quid.
Cash, dosh, moolah, dough and wonga are all slang words for general money, though
cash is by far the most common of these. A fiver is slang for 5, and a tenner is slang for
10. Slang is obviously linked to idiolect, sociolect and dialect of a language.
Idiolect, sociolect and dialect are all part of a language or better said an ideolect is found inside a
sociolect which is found inside a dialect which is found within a language.
An idiolect is an individuals own personal language. Some people have a varied vocabulary,
some people are very repetitive. Some people are long winded, some are straight to the point.
Sociolect is a dialect spoken by a group of people usually divided by social class. In the UK,
some people sound very "posh" which means they use a higher class dialect, and some people
sound "common" which refers to a lower more working class dialect.
Dialect is a variety of language with distinctive features of vocabulary, grammar and accent (e.g.:
Regional Dialects.)

If we talk about idiolect, then some factors include: family, friends, people we look up to,
basically all the people we interact with. However, in this era with increasing media presence in
our lives, even people we just 'know' through songs, movies, blogs, books, TV programs shape
the way we express ourselves.
Probably, due to modern times globalization process, more and more people use code-switching.
Code-switching occurs when a speaker alternates between two or more languages, or language
varieties, in the context of a single conversation. Multilinguals, speakers of more than one
language, sometimes use elements of multiple languages when conversing with each other. There
are some reasons why people code-switch. The most common examples of code-switching were
completely inadvertent; folks would slip into a different language or accent without even
realizing it or intending to do it. Very often, people code-switch, consciously and unconsciously,
to act or talk more like those around them. A lot of people code-switch not just to fit in, but to
actively ingratiate themselves to others. Others use code-switching in order to hide in plain sight,
a habit most common among people in love. And finally, many people switch languages or
employ colloquialisms to express particular ideas. This linguistic phenomenon can be used to
show either convergence or divergence with others through speech, or to reflect a certain
socioeconomic background. Also, a speaker may switch codes according to the topic being
discussed in order to show a certain attitude or position. In addition, code-switching may also be
triggered by the urge to express a certain feeling or attitude as well as to persuade the audience
and grab their attention.
Understanding how spoken language is used for various purposes and in different situations will
help us to understand how language can be adapted in various ways. Different contexts produce
the need for different registers of speech, chosen to suit the needs of the context. There are
situations where you would choose a more formal register and others where a much more
informal register would be suitable. For example, we would not speak to our friends using the
same register as we would if we were asked to speak at an award ceremony. Our language during
conversation is usually unplanned. This is technically referred to as spontaneous speech.
The main features that I have noticed in my own speech and the speech of my family and friends
are quite various. I may mention some of them though I am not sure I can cover them all.
First of all, Intonation this refers to the tone of a speakers voice and indicates an attitude or
mood. It includes volume and pitch. Secondly, Interruption some turns of speech occur before a

first turn is completed and work to prevent an adjacency pair forming. A speaker who interrupts
tries to stop a turn of speech from continuing. Then, it is Overlap sometimes two turns occur at
the same time. This is either the result of an interruption, or when one speaker shows agreement,
for example, Hmm, yes, I see And, of course, Filler spontaneous speech leaves little time
to think. Time can be gained by creating voiced pauses - filled with words/phrases such as,
Erm, You know or Let me think. A filler creates thinking time and acts to fill a gap of silence
that might invite a new turn or interruption. When we talk about speech features, we also gave to
consider slang as it is used for many purposes, but generally it expresses a certain emotional
attitude; the same term may express diametrically opposed attitudes when used by different
people. Many slang terms are primarily derogatory, though they may also be ambivalent when
used in intimacy or affection.
As far as I am concerned, there are certain positive aspects but also quite enough negative aspects
about slang, especially when it is linked to schools and the education system.
When people speak in the vernacular using slang, it broadens the English language by adding
more words. Language isnt static, and a language such as English is a collection and reinvention
of the words of many other languages such as Latin and Greek, as well as the romance languages
of Europe. Slang is street, as in ordinary, common and yet vivid expression to describe current
life and events. It keeps the language from getting stale. It changes frequently, so it is difficult to
find an up-to-date slang dictionary. Slang is often used as a way to appear friendly to someone or
to show that you belong with a certain group of people or that you understand popular culture. It
shows that you are part of the "in crowd" and that the slang you share is part of your secret
language. Slang freshens and enhances the English language by adding words that describe what
people of the era are doing and feeling.
On the other hand, one negative effect of the use of slang is that sometimes members of society
become unable to differentiate between when slang should be used and when formal language
should be used, allowing slang to infiltrate what should be scholarly, formal language. Although
slang words are important, they are just used in a few situations, many occasions require a more
formal style of language. In addition, Slang words have two problems. First, slang creates a
barrier to communication for the uninitiated. Second, because most slang is short, favoring onesyllable words, it leads to the use of clichs, rather than the use of more precise words.
Dependence on slang can lead to fuzzy thinking. Chronic use of slang also makes it harder to get

a job. In short, although using slang is not bad, people should not use it much in order to avoid
being impolite in communication.
In my opinion, when it comes to using or not using slang in school and education, I am totally
opposing the idea of a fancy and cool teenager using slang at school. I am completely against
slang being taught, encouraged, or tolerated in schools. I understand that educators may not
always be able to effectively prohibit or monitor slang, and I do believe that there are times and
places when casual conversation is 100% acceptable, even during a school day.
The language(s) of a culture are the mind and backbone to many facets of the lives of our world's
citizens. Being able to speak eloquently and have a firm grasp of your language skills can provide
better employment opportunities, a greater understanding of countless concepts and people, and
can benefit your communication in all relationships. The possibilities have no boundaries.
Allowing people to begin "cutting corners" on something as powerful as language skills in our
children's schools is an atrocious idea to me. As we walk around in a society where many adults
have very little life skills, employment potential, and etiquette, I believe that beginning these
peoples' lives may be vastly different if they had a more solid education. There is no reason why
we should not be raising the bar for education. Lowering it is absolutely mindless.
As a conclusion, I think that banning slang in schools will help students to develop the soft skills
they will need to compete for jobs and university places. A school should be a professional,
educational environment. It is important for people to understand that language must be adjusted
according to their situation. However, taking into account that banning could attract young people
overuse slang as a form of protest, I would suggest a balance between when correct
usage is required in schools, such as within the classroom or when
conversing with teachers; and when the students can express themselves as
they deem fit with "slang", the school yard, when conversing amongst
themselves.