Slang as a Marker of Group Identity

A collection of current words and phrases used as slang

Discuss any problems you had in “translating” listed slang.

Translating slang poses several challenges, as slang is often tied closely to culture, period, geography, and social groups (Batubara et al., 2023). As many of the provided slang terms likely originated from different eras and social contexts, translating them accurately while retaining their original meanings and connotations could be difficult. For instance, “food,” meaning drugs, likely emerged more recently and in an urban context, while “deadwood” may be older office slang. Conveying these terms appropriately into a common language requires careful consideration of the target culture and dialects so the translated slang resonates with audiences (Batubara et al., 2023). Some slang, like “no cap” and “Litty,” is very youthful and modern, potentially making it harder to translate idiomatically for people unfamiliar with the latest trends. Slang is spontaneous and often short-lived, so finding equivalent terms may depend on the translator’s hermeneutic creativity to get the feeling across (Batubara et al., 2023).

Interviews

As a reformed man, Ahmed likely avoids using most slang terms that recall his previous lifestyle. However, some words like “whip” have become familiar enough in the mainstream that he may still employ them casually without gang associations. If speaking with old friends about the past, he might lapse into using specific phrases but would generally dissociate from this language in his present law-abiding life. If strangers use these specialized terms around Ahmed, he probably assumes they have some current or former connection with gang or street culture. This may make him cautious about their character or intentions once he knows more about them. He has an insider understanding of the context and meaning behind the slang that average citizens need to gain. Moreover, hearing someone misuse the terms would signal to Ahmed that the person is an outsider without authentic knowledge of gang life. Misuse of words like “food” or “strap” would sound odd to him, coming from an unaffiliated person. He recognizes the importance of using slang naturally versus straining to mimic it without proper cultural familiarity.

On the other hand, Mike likely picked up this drug-related slang during his former dealings and used it within underground substance abuse circles. The resources indicate creative nicknames and codes are used among users and dealers to discreetly discuss narcotics without raising suspicion. Mike’s knowledge reflects his past immersion in this covert subculture. As a new drug dealer, he would have first heard cryptic terms like “sauce” for alcohol from his suppliers and contacts in the business. The coded language conceals criminal activities from authorities and reinforces group identity. Over time, as Mike became more established, his fluency with the slang vocabulary expanded to cover various substances he trafficked, like “schoolboy” for codeine syrup.

In his active role as a dealer, Mike relied on slang like “a bomb” for cannabis-cocaine blends to communicate with customers and associates subtly. His familiarity with scenes argot like “zombie” for strung-out addicts also helped him assess clients and situations. The insider lexicon supported operating his illegal enterprise discreetly and with less risk of prosecution.

In recovery, Mike now avoids using this terminology from his former lifestyle. However, specific widespread phrases like “daytime” for intoxication may occasionally slip out naturally despite associations with his drug past. When speaking candidly with old friends about the past, some ingrained slang could resurface, but Mike makes efforts to dissociate from this language in his present sober life. If Mike hears strangers using specialized drug slang, he may presume they have some current or prior involvement with substance abuse networks based on his experience. As an ex-dealer, he recognizes terms like “sauce” and “schoolboy” derive from drug scenes rather than the mainstream. The insider meaning behind such words is opaque to average citizens. Besides, earing misuse of the slang would signal to Mike that the person lacks authentic knowledge of drug culture codes. For instance, “sauce” specifically denotes alcohol rather than drugs generically. Similarly, the convoluted use of “a bomb” or “zombie” would sound odd and inexpert to him.

Conclusion

What conclusions can you draw about using slang in defining group boundaries? Consider to what extent slang indicates group membership, such as different ethnic groups, genders, professions, generations, and geographic locations.

The slang terms provided by the diverse participants reveal that slang is an essential marker of group identity and boundaries across different demographics. As the research indicates, slang’s primary purpose is not to convey literal meaning but to affirm social identity within distinct groups that use creative language to establish cohesion and exclusivity (Coleman, 2012; Virginia Department of State Police, 2008). Analyzing the participants’ slang suggests that slang defines boundaries of ethnicity, subculture, profession, age, and geography. For example, the slang provided by Ahmed, the ex-gang member, illustrates how slang reinforces ethnic and subculture ingroups. Terms like “food” for drugs, “strap” for guns, and “pagan” for non-affiliated persons reflect the covert lexicon of urban gangs (Cleaner, Greener, and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee, 2020). These terms will likely be unfamiliar to outsiders while promoting a shared criminal identity (Cleaner, Greener, and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee, 2020).

Similarly, Mike’s drug dealer slang, like “sauce” for alcohol, helps identify group membership among underground substance users and traffickers. The coded terms include illegal activities (Virginia Department of State Police, 2008). These examples demonstrate how slang privileges insider status across ethnic, subcultural, and professional lines by linguistically demarcating groups (Mattiello, 2008).

In contrast, Sarah’s conventional corporate slang, such as “axe” for firing someone and “bumped up” for promotion, suggests white-collar professionals use jargon to bond within legitimate occupations. The bureaucratic lexicon conveys competence and distinguishes it from blue-collar groups (Coleman, 2012). According to Zhou and Fan (2013), slang often emerges within specialized fields like business to affirm expertise and group belonging. Age also emerges as a boundary defined by slang differences. Participant 1, college student Adolf, provided generational terms like “no cap” for truth and “drip” for excellence that signify youth identity and separate older outsiders (Global Launch, 2023). Staying current with the latest youth vernacular maintains Adolf’s ingroup membership among peers. Intergenerational misunderstanding of evolving adolescent slang further divides age-based collectives (Coleman, 2012).

Additionally, regional slang points to geographic group boundaries. Participant 5, hip-hop lover Marcus, shared Southern terms like “whip” for a car that reflect his neighborhood origins. Such localized phrases distinguish place-based communities (Zhou & Fan, 2013). Within the broader hip-hop culture, using authentic vernacular from one’s home turf earns respect and belonging (Alim & Pennycook, 2007). Research also reveals several reasons slang serves as an identity marker. Slang’s constantly changing nature means mastering the latest ingroup vocabulary solidifies membership and status (Coleman, 2012). Cryptic slang and codes also help groups like criminals conceal activities and evade authority (Virginia Department of State Police, 2008). Most fundamentally, sharing insider speech unique from mainstream society provides pride and solidarity (Zhou & Fan, 2013).

References

Batubara, J., Syarifudin, A., Syathroh, I. L., Yasaviyevna, D. S., & Al-Awawdeh, N. (2023). Challenges of Translating Slang Expressions in American Song Lyrics of the 21st Century into the Arabic Language. Int. J. of Membrane Science and Technology.

Cleaner, Greener, and Safer Overview and Scrutiny Committee. (2020). Gang Related Violence: Slang, Brands and Symbols.

Coleman, J. (2012). From cant to kettling: a history of slang (1st Edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Global Launch. (2023). Do you know these 9 American college student slang words? Global Launch. https://globallaunch.asu.edu/blog/do-you-know-these-9-american-college-student-slang-words

Mattiello, E. (2008). An introduction to English slang : a description of its morphology, semantics and sociology. Milano: Polimetrica.

Samy Alim, H., & Pennycook, A. (2007). Glocal linguistic flows: Hip-hop culture (s), identities, and the politics of language education. Journal of Language, Identity, and Education, 6, 89–100. doi:10.1348/014466605X89353

Virginia Department of State Police. (2008). BLOODS STREET GANG INTELLIGENCE REPORT [Intelligence report]. Commonwealth of Virginia. https://info.publicintelligence.net/BloodsStreetGangIntelligenceReport.pdf

Zhou, Y., & Fan, Y. (2013). A sociolinguistic study of American slang. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 3(12). https://doi.org/10.4304/tpls.3.12.2209-2213