Slang Usage in Slang Usage in the Classroomthe Classroom

Kyle NutterKyle Nutter

TE 802TE 802

Fall 2006Fall 2006

The 70’sThe 70’s

Psyche!Psyche! Far out!Far out! Can you dig it?Can you dig it? ““the man”the man” To the maxTo the max Catch you on the flip sideCatch you on the flip side FunkyFunky

The 80’sThe 80’s

BogusBogus BossBoss Yo!Yo! Totally awesome!Totally awesome! Like, oh my god!Like, oh my god! DudeDude Make me barf!Make me barf!

The 90’sThe 90’s

All that and a bag of chipsAll that and a bag of chips Whatever!Whatever! Talk to the handTalk to the hand CribCrib Don’t go thereDon’t go there HellaHella PlayaPlaya

TODAYTODAY

I’m straight – No thanksI’m straight – No thanks Blaze – to make fun of someoneBlaze – to make fun of someone Whack – NOT coolWhack – NOT cool Oh snap! – oh, shoot!Oh snap! – oh, shoot! What’s poppin’ – What’s up? What’s poppin’ – What’s up?

(greeting)(greeting) What’s good – What’s up? (greeting)What’s good – What’s up? (greeting) Bread - moneyBread - money

What is slang?What is slang?

According to Merriam-Webster online:According to Merriam-Webster online: Main Entry: Main Entry: slangslang

Pronunciation: 'sla[ng]Pronunciation: 'sla[ng]Function: Function: nounnounEtymology: origin unknownEtymology: origin unknown11 :: language peculiar to a particular group: language peculiar to a particular group: as as aa : : ARGOTARGOT bb : : JARGON JARGON 2222 :: an informal nonstandard vocabulary an informal nonstandard vocabulary composed typically of coinages, arbitrarily composed typically of coinages, arbitrarily changed words, and extravagant, forced, or changed words, and extravagant, forced, or facetious figures of speech facetious figures of speech

What is slang?What is slang?

According to students:According to students: ““another language”another language” ““Slang is really improper or ghetto English.”Slang is really improper or ghetto English.” ““Ebonics”Ebonics” ““Expression of the culture of the area Expression of the culture of the area

around you.”around you.” A majority of students mentioned a A majority of students mentioned a

variation of the following:variation of the following: ““It’s a shorter way to say something.”It’s a shorter way to say something.”

Methods of InquiryMethods of Inquiry

Surveys of 75 Spanish Surveys of 75 Spanish studentsstudents

Observation of six class Observation of six class periods in various classroomsperiods in various classrooms

Potential Problems with Potential Problems with Methods of InquiryMethods of Inquiry

Only Spanish students were surveyedOnly Spanish students were surveyed Only spans part of the student body of Only spans part of the student body of

one school – other schools may have one school – other schools may have different results.different results.

Very limited scope – only the tip of the Very limited scope – only the tip of the iceberg!iceberg!

Survey left much to student Survey left much to student interpretation, causing both problems interpretation, causing both problems and authenticityand authenticity

The Big Question(s)The Big Question(s)

Do students change their patterns of Do students change their patterns of speech in the classroom?speech in the classroom? If so, how?If so, how? Where else do students change their Where else do students change their

speech?speech?

Who do students speak Who do students speak slang with?slang with?

According to students:According to students: Friends – 97%Friends – 97% Parents – 61%Parents – 61% Teachers – 36%Teachers – 36% Adults – 21%Adults – 21% Siblings – 96%Siblings – 96% Grandparents – 25%Grandparents – 25% Administrators – 16%Administrators – 16% Peers – 64%Peers – 64%

Do you use slang in class? Do you use slang in class? Why/why not?Why/why not?

A majority of students said that they A majority of students said that they do use slang in class. The most do use slang in class. The most common reason given was some common reason given was some variation of “That’s just the way I variation of “That’s just the way I talk.”talk.”

Only 36% of students said they used Only 36% of students said they used slang with a teacher. This slang with a teacher. This demonstrates a misunderstanding by demonstrates a misunderstanding by students of their own language use. students of their own language use.

Do you use slang in class? Do you use slang in class? Why/why not?Why/why not?

For those students who said they did For those students who said they did NOT use slang in class, the following NOT use slang in class, the following are the most popular reasons:are the most popular reasons: ““I don’t want to sound stupid.”I don’t want to sound stupid.” ““It’s not proper.”It’s not proper.”

Are there classes where you Are there classes where you use more or less slang?use more or less slang?

The vast majority of students said The vast majority of students said that they used an equal amount of that they used an equal amount of slang in all classes.slang in all classes.

Those who said there were classes Those who said there were classes where they used more slang than where they used more slang than others described those classes as:others described those classes as: ““less strict”less strict” ““We have more free time.”We have more free time.” ““The teacher uses it.” The teacher uses it.”

Observation ResultsObservation Results

Six class periods were observed (55 Six class periods were observed (55 minutes each)minutes each)

Slang was observed, but generally Slang was observed, but generally was only used between studentswas only used between students

Only one instance of slang was Only one instance of slang was observed from student to teacher:observed from student to teacher: ““For real?” (i.e. really?)For real?” (i.e. really?)

What does all this mean?What does all this mean?

Almost all students use slang on a daily Almost all students use slang on a daily basis. In the classroom however, there is basis. In the classroom however, there is both a conscious and unconscious effort both a conscious and unconscious effort to change speech patterns to fit a more to change speech patterns to fit a more academic propriety. academic propriety.

Students generally view speech as an Students generally view speech as an indicator of respect. Those who are in indicator of respect. Those who are in positions of power and respect are less positions of power and respect are less likely to be spoken to with slang by likely to be spoken to with slang by students. students.

What does all this mean?What does all this mean?

Many students make a change in Many students make a change in speech in the classroom without speech in the classroom without realizing that they do so. realizing that they do so.

For many students, they view slang For many students, they view slang as being “improper” or making them as being “improper” or making them sound unintelligent. Out of 75 sound unintelligent. Out of 75 students only one referenced culture students only one referenced culture as part of the definition of slang.as part of the definition of slang.

How can we as teachers How can we as teachers use this?use this?

Relationship building!!!Relationship building!!! Student are constantly speaking a more Student are constantly speaking a more

“formal” language in the classroom. “formal” language in the classroom. What an opportunity for us to speak What an opportunity for us to speak their their language!language!

Discussion!!!Discussion!!! Using examples of slang can help open Using examples of slang can help open

discussions about slang in the target discussions about slang in the target language, and help explain dialectal language, and help explain dialectal differences.differences.

How can we as teachers How can we as teachers use this?use this?

Create interest!!!Create interest!!! Students like to talk about themselves! Students like to talk about themselves!

Pique their interest by using their slang in Pique their interest by using their slang in an authentic way. One warning – students an authentic way. One warning – students always know when you’re trying too hard!always know when you’re trying too hard!

Be more aware of the things going on Be more aware of the things going on at your school!at your school! With slang, students have the ability to With slang, students have the ability to

have an entire conversation without an have an entire conversation without an adult ever knowing its content. Be in the adult ever knowing its content. Be in the know!know!

Any questions?Any questions?

As with all complicated questions, these As with all complicated questions, these lead to more questions.lead to more questions. Does the slang that a student uses affect Does the slang that a student uses affect

their classroom performance and/or grades?their classroom performance and/or grades? How is teacher perception changed by How is teacher perception changed by

student speech?student speech? What is the difference between students’ What is the difference between students’

speech and students’ perceptions of their speech and students’ perceptions of their own speech?own speech?

Does students’ use of slang really differ Does students’ use of slang really differ from class to class?from class to class?

Any questions?Any questions?

How does student slang differ from school How does student slang differ from school to school, or area to area? Is the slang used to school, or area to area? Is the slang used affected by socioeconomic status or race?affected by socioeconomic status or race?

Is slang more accepted by educators than Is slang more accepted by educators than students realize?students realize?

Does the acceptance of slang by educators Does the acceptance of slang by educators differ depending on the race/ethnicity of differ depending on the race/ethnicity of students?students?

Is students’ slang generally referred to as a Is students’ slang generally referred to as a part of culture, or as an improper use of part of culture, or as an improper use of English?English?