Jargon, Dialect, and Slang - Green Local School District

“Brer Possum’s Dilemma” by Jackie Torrence

page 958-961

JARGON, DIALECT, AND SLANG

Presentation created by Kevin Kloth, Savannah Middle School

Savannah, MO

http://betterlesson.com/document/117839/jargon-dialect-and-slang-notes?from=search

Modified by M. Singleton

Overview 

Figurative language refers to words or phrases that add extra meaning or emotion to what we say or write.



Figurative language uses words in other ways than their literal sense



Figurative language can be used to suggest a picture (image), create a sensory reaction, or create other special effects like rhythm.

Examples of Figurative Language Think of some of the figurative language you already know. How

do similes and metaphors add meaning or emotion to a story? How about personification? Alliteration? Imagery?

Examples of Figurative Language 

How do similes and metaphors add meaning or emotion to a story?

 a creative way to express emotion  change the mood (lighten or darken)  reveal the attitude of the character  create an instant word picture  reveal age, locale, or character traits  reveal how a character thinks or feels Example: “I’m very happy.” vs. “I’m as happy as a flea at a dog show.”

Examples of Figurative Language How does personification add meaning or emotion to a story?

 a creative way to express emotion.  develop the tone or mood  reveal the attitude of the character  reveal how a character thinks or feels Example: “The pop machine ate my dollar.” “The copier hates me.”

Examples of Figurative Language 

How does alliteration add to a story?

 creates rhythm  creates / effects mood  emphasizes words / phrases Example:

"The sun for sorrow will not show his head" (The Prince, Act 5 Scene 3)

Examples of Figurative Language How does imagery add meaning or emotion to a story?

 a creative way to express emotion.  develop the tone or mood  creates a picture in the reader’s mind  encourages use of other senses Example: “I'll tell you how the sun rose,-A ribbon at a time. The steeples swam in amethyst, The news like squirrels ran. …” - Emily Dickinson

Jargon, Dialect, and Slang 

Jargon, dialect, and slang are types of figurative language.



An author can use all of these to add meaning or emotion to the story he or she is telling.



It can also be used to reveal important character traits.

Jargon 



Jargon refers to the language and technical terms used by people of the same profession or group. By profession, we mean:

Jargon 

Jargon refers to the language and technical terms used by people of the same profession or group.



By profession, we mean: any vocation or business

Examples of jargon 



Many professions use words or phrases that an average person would not know the meaning of. Doctors and nurses use many phrases when talking to each other that an average person would not understand: Anterior  Granuloma  Subdural  Pericardial effusion  Renogram 

Examples of jargon 

Many other professionals often use jargon. Some common professions that use jargon:  Police  Lawyers  Scientists

 Businessmen  Athletes

and businesswomen

Examples of Jargon B&E – Breaking and Entering DUI – Driving Under the Influence

Dialect 

Dialect is language spoken by the people of a particular place, time or social group 

What are some examples of how people use different words now than they did two hundred years ago?



What are some examples of how people in the Midwest use different words than people in the South?



What are some examples of how wealthier people might use different words than less affluent people would?

Examples of Dialect 

Look at the following two ways someone might say “Hi” to a group of friends when they walk into a room. Which speaker is most likely from America? Which speaker is most likely from England?  Well,

hey there, mates. You catch the game on the tele this evening?

 Hey

guys, what’s up? Did you watch the Chiefs game last night?

Examples of Dialect 

Look at the following two ways someone might invite a group of friends to dinner. Which speaker is most likely from the Midwest? Which speaker is most likely from the South?  Hey,

do you all want to go to dinner tonight?

 Howdy

there. Do y’all want to go grab some dinner?

Examples of Dialect 

Look at the following two passages. Which passage was most likely written recently? Which passage was probably written hundreds of years ago? 

It could have betokened nothing short of the anticipated execution of some noted culprit, on whom the sentence of a legal tribunal had but confirmed the verdict of public sentiment. From The Scarlet Letter



The day was for the most part routine for Germany’s eighty-two million citizens. Train stations were buzzing, coffee shops busy, government offices going about their business. From The New York Times

What are some examples of how people use different words now than they did two hundred years ago? 200 years ago

Now

hypos

stimulus, burst of energy (hyper)

gay

happy

aforesaid

said before

molested

disturbed, bothered

“MANY years ago, I contracted an intimacy with a Mr. William Legrand. He was of an ancient Huguenot family, and had once been wealthy; but a series of misfortunes had reduced him to want. To avoid the mortification consequent upon his disasters, he left New Orleans, the city of his forefathers, and took up his residence at Sullivan's Island, near Charleston, South Carolina.” The Gold Bug by Edgar Allan Poe

Slang 



Slang is informal words used in casual conversation. By informal, we mean:

Slang 



Slang is informal words used in casual conversation. By informal, we mean:

without formality; casual

Slang 

Below are examples of how we can turn formal sentences (left) into slang sentences (right).

Yes.

Yep.

That was unusual.

That was random.

My parents are here to pick me up. Our team needs to play our best tonight.

My ride’s here.

Our team needs to take care of business tonight.