meditationDynamic Change and Translation of English Slang 英语俚语的动态变化和适时

2021年1月24日发(作者：forgotten)
Dynamic Change and Translation of English Slang

Abstract:
This paper mainly stresses on the development and translation of English slang
in
the
perspective
of
cultural
connotation.
Firstly,
it
introduces
former
researches
in
this
field,
discussing the origin,
definition, features,
translation of English slang.
Secondly, it
talks about the cradle of English slang and focuses on several subculture groups. Thirdly, it
explicates the formation and change of English slang. At the same time, it states that slang
is
a complex language variety because it takes in
new elements
ceaselessly and changes
overtime.
Lastly,
it
comes
to
the
point
of
translation
problems
and
strategies
and
recommends some translation methods under different situations such as literal translation,
domestication
and
foreignization.
In
the
end,
it
not
only
discusses
about
the
existing
problem of English slang research, but also puts forward several ways to improve English
learners
’
language level of slang.
Key words:
slang; dynamic change; translation strategy

英语俚语的动态变化和适时翻译


摘要：
本文主要从文化内涵的角度谈论英语俚语的发展与翻译问题。
首先，
论文介绍
了在本领域前人对英语俚语的起源、定义、特征、翻译等的研究成果。然后，讨论了< br>英语俚语的主要来源即亚文化群体，重点介绍了其中几种群体所创造并使用的俚语。
之后举例表明 俚语的构成和发展变化。
同时，
阐明了俚语是一种复杂的语言形式因为
它不断地吸收新 的元素，时刻在更新。最后，本文结合之前的分析，讨论了在俚语翻
译过程中碰到的问题和应对策略，并 介绍了几种翻译方法，如直译、归化、异化等。
在论文最后，
不仅阐明了俚语研究存在的问题，
而且为英语学习者提高俚语语言水平
提出了一些建议。

关键词：
俚语；动态变化；翻译策略




1
Dynamic Change and Translation of English Slang

1. Introduction

English slang, as a most colorful and vivid language variety, is an ever-changing set
of colloquial words and phrases generally considered distinct from and socially lower than
the
standard
language.
It
is
rich
in
cultural
connotations
and
the
spirit
of
the
times.
It
originated
from
the
subculture
groups
and
evolves
closely
to
people
’
s
daily
life.
Since
slang
was
first
used
among
the
subculture
groups,
its
usage
has
special
limitations.
But
during
the
continuous
development,
its
vocabulary
and
contextual
meanings
have
been
enlarged a lot. Its cultural, transient and dynamic characters require the users to pay special
attention in case of making a fool of themselves. Therefore, English learners, especially not
natives,
always
have
difficulty
in
understanding
and
speaking
slang
naturally.
As
for
translators, to reach the equivalence of English slang translation is really not an easy job.
The English slang, is known for its colorfulness and functionality, and is widely studied.
This paper mainly looks into the dynamic change and translation of English slang.
2. Former Researches on English Slang
English slang has been studied by many learners, linguists and researchers.

Nobody
is
quite
sure
where
the
word
slang

comes
from.
According
to
Mencken
(1919),
slang
developed in the 18
th
century either from an erroneous past-tense of
sling
or
from the word
language
itself. The use of slang is far more ancient than the word
slang

itself. In fact, slang is nearly as old as language itself.
About
its
definition,
there
is
no
set
one.
Ambrose
Bierce
(1911)
said
“
slang
is
the
grunt of the human hog with an audible memory.
”
Maybe it is the earliest definition made
by linguists. The Oxford English Dictionary

(1989) defines it as the vocabulary by any set
of persons of a low or disreputable character, language of a low and vulgar type. But the
explanation in the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (2000) is more
complex as follows: 1) Slang is a kind of language occurring chiefly in casual and playful
speech,
made
up
typically
of
short-lived
coinages
and
figures
of
speech
that
are
deliberately used in place of standard terms of added raciness, humor, irreverence, or other
effects. 2) Slang is a language peculiar to a group, cant, argot or jargon: thieves
’
slang. This

2
definition
focuses
on
speech
features
of
English
slang
and
divides
slang
by
its
usage
among
different
groups
of
people.
Of
course,
there
are
numerous
other
different
definitions.
As the border between slang and other formal, informal speeches is too vague, it is
hard to absolutely separate slang from them. How slang is exactly defined and which items
should or should not be listed under it have been the debating heat for years.
The Dictionary of
American Slang
, originally
published in
1960 and then
expanded
and completely updated edition by edition such as the
New dictionary of American Slang
(1986), is widely regarded as the standard in the field. It was Other slang dictionaries are:
Oxford
Dictionary
of
Modern
Slang
by
Ayto
John
&
Simpson
John
(1992),
Historical
Dictionary
of
American
Slang
Volume
2
by
Lighter
J.
E.
(1994),
Dictionary
of
Contemporary Slang
by Tony Thorne (1999) etc. Other research achievements connecting
slang with culture are:
Language and Culture
by Eugene A. Nida (1993),
Translation and
Culture:
A
Study
On
English
Slang
by
Li
Qingrui
(2003),
A
Tentative
Study
on
the
Language Features
of
American Slang
and its
Use in
Different
Social Groups
by
Zhang
Shishu (2006) etc.

Other research results are:
Contemporary American Slang
by Richard A.
Spears (1990),
Approaches to Translation
by Peter Newmark (1995) etc.
3. Origin and Formation of English Slang
3.1 Origin of English Slang
–
the Subculture Groups
Language
is
the
mirror
and
carrier
of
culture.
Every
society
has
its
own
culture.
Traditionally, culture can be divided into culture and subculture. The concept of subculture
is contrary to that of culture. Culture is usually accepted by people in prevailing positions,
while subculture is a kind of non-dominant culture. Slang is generated by individuals or the
subculture groups who search for individuality, group solidarity and novelty. The creation
of
slang
is
as
a
means
of
self-expression.
When
an
individual
with
sharp
wit
applies
language in a new way to express hostility, ridicule or contempt, he may create slang. A
new slang term is usually widely used in a subculture before it comes into the dominant
culture. The subculture groups are the cradle of English slang.
According to Chapman (1986), English slang originated from the subculture groups
such
as
jobless
vagrants,
drug
addicts,
soldiers,
sailors,
detectives,
cowboys,
prostitutes,

3
students,
music
and
football
fans,
professional
men,
jazz
musicians,
gamblers,
criminals
etc. With the times, slang in special fields appeared. The military slang appeared because
of wars. After World War

Ⅱ
,
jazz terms have been replaced by those of rock, blues and
rap. Drug terms increase rapidly as well as sports terms. Slang created by the black people
has
also
accumulated.
Until
1980s,
some
sources
of
slang
had
lost
its
creativity,
while
criminals,
policemen,
gamblers,
teenagers
and
college
students
remain
innovative.
Entertainers and straying artists keep on making contributions to the development of slang,
too.
In
recent
years,
slang
has
even
taken
in
homosexual
terms.
Computer
and
hospital
slang
has
also
developed
quickly.
Moreover,
the
upper
class
such
as
political
craftsmen,
successful
young
man
and
talk
show
participants,
even
the
upper-class
newspapers
and
magazines keep providing us new slang. These people mostly are well educated and quite
creative of daily slang.
It is said that a great number of slang is jargon and cant, which cannot be decoded by
laymen.
But
many
of
the
expressions
are
widely
used,
become
understandable
to
mass
people
and
then
are
frequently
imitated.
Thus
the
usage
was
enlarged
and
gradually
accepted as slang. The following passages will focus on several certain subculture groups
in the perspective of cultural context to learn the features of English slang. Thus slang
’
s
cultural essence and its dynamic change will exactly be found.

3.1.1 Criminal, gangdom, prison slang
America seriously suffers from crime. Although the government has spent great sum
of money and forces to fight against it, the crimes are just increasing instead of decreasing.
The slang used by criminals, gangsters and prisoners is highly concealed.
If they plan to
murder someone, they call it
blot out
. If they free themselves from prison through narrow
windows
or
somewhere
like
that,
they
call
it
crush
out
.
The
robber
activity
is
named
knockover
. Unsuccessful robbery is named
blowout
. The crime record is named
rap sheet
.
Words like
fuss, bull, pig, dick, fink, eagle
for policeman were not created by officers of the
law but the opposing group. More examples of slang used by gangdom are
fork
for steal,
get your forks off that
for don
’
t touch it. (Chapman, 1986)
3.1.2 College slang
College students are the most active and vital part of the population. They generate a

4
large quantity of slang to relieve their peer pressure, to meet social communication needs,
to reduce their psychological imbalance through growth and to alleviate academic struggle.
College students are full of curiosity and pursuit, and have a strong sense of independence.
They are ready to change traditional conventions. They have their own values that guide
their life. These values can reflect on the language style of the college students, which is
the college slang. English college slang is used by college students who belong to the same
subculture group. Additionally, they have created many new word and expressions. They
call diligent students
worms
, and call the slow students
birdbrain
. A newcomer is
fresher
.
The
period
without
classes
is
dead
hour
.
The
students
who
are
kicked
out
for
failure
in
courses
or
violation
of
school
rules
are
the
flunk
out
.
They
also
call
economy

econ
,
psychology
psyche
etc.

3.1.3 Homosexual and drug slang
Usually, a new social group appears and creates a culture of its own. The homosexual
group came into people
’
s eyes and is becoming larger and larger. The homosexual addicts
wander
in
the
world
of
loneliness
and
fear.
They
are
often
unwilling
to
expose
their
feelings
to
the
public.
Among
them
there
are
well-known
actors,
artists,
pop
singers
or
common
citizens
and
students.
As
we
know,
male
homosexuality
is
called
gay
,
female
lesbian
. And the amphibious men or women who have an intercourse with both male and
female are called
AC- DC
. AC is short for alternating current; DC is short for direct current.
Boondagger
is a lesbian like a bull that rush onto the street.
Drug
abuse
is
also
a
big
problem
for
America.
As
time
goes
by,
drug
terms
have
abundantly developed, including drug slang among the drug dealers and addicts. The drug
addicts
call
heroin
antifreeze
,
marijuana
Mary
and
Jane
,
morphine
Miss
Morphin
.
The
drug dealers are called
candy man
or
fixer
. Drugs are beautified as
God
’
s medicine
.
Candy
flipping
,
also
from
drug
slang,
means
LSD
(A
crystalline
compound,
C20H
25N
3O,
derived from lysergic acid and used as a powerful hallucinogenic drug. It is also called acid,
lysergic acid diethylamide) and ecstasy.
3.1.4 Political slang

In the world of politics, humour, irony, sometimes indistinctness are required. Slang
has this function so that it is introduced into politics. For example,
Water Gate event, Iran

5
Gate event
and
White-water Gate event
all refer to scandals of the statesmen.
Think-thank
stands for bureaucratism and dilatoriness.
Brian drain
stands for people with ability serve
abroad.
And
no
action,
talk
only

refers
to
NATO.
Boys
in
the
back
room

refers
to
the
politicians
’
machination. Moreover, many terms relate to animals, such as
Elephant
for the
Republic Party,
Donkey
for the Democratic Party.
In conclusion, under a certain cultural background, a group of people may have their
own social values. When these social values accord with the mainstream social values, they
can
contribute
to
the
progress
of
the
society.
We
know,
now
slang
is
adopted
by
most
people. The phenomenon that a certain type of slang only belonged to one subculture group
does not exist any longer. The usage of slang in the future will be common, popular, and
universal.
For
instance,
the
college
students
adopt
tubular

(excellent)
from
surfing,
and
jam

(to
play
music
and
dance
or
play
an
improvisation)
from
the
language
of
Black
musicians.
3.2 Formation of English slang
As is mentioned above, the subculture groups are the cradle of English slang. Their
special language habits gradually came into the eyes of the public and have finally gained
essential
social
status
as
a
language
variety.
About
its
form,
slang
doesn
’
t
have
its
own
independent pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary. Most slang is a new formation of the
old
ones
or
the
ever-existing
words
but
with
new
meanings.
But
like
standard
English,
slang also follows several ways of formation such as borrowing, shortening, compounding
and blending.
3.2.1 Borrowing

Slang
borrows
words
or
absorbs
elements
from
foreign
languages
such
as
German,
French,
Chinese,
Indian
etc.
For
example,
kaput

means
having
been
destroyed
or
incapacitated.
The
word
is
an
adoption
of
the
German
word
kaputt
,
whose
senses
are
similar to those of the English word. German in turn borrowed this word from the French
gaming
tables,
where
capot
,
as
an
adjective,
meant
“not
having
won
a
single
trick
at
piquet.”
It is first recorded in 1895. More examples are:
Yen
, from Cantonese
yem
, means a
strong
desire
or
inclination.
Cinch
,
from
Spanish
cincha
,
means
a
certainty
as
in
“
dead
cinch
”

and
“
it's
a
cinch
that
the
horse
will
win
the
race
.”

Calaboose
,
from
Spanish

6
calabozo
,
means
jail.
Hamburger
,
from
German
Hamburg
steak
,
has
developed
special
slang terms such as make hamburger out of sb., which means beating vigorously.
Nix
, from
German, means forbidding or refusing.

3.2.2 Shortening
Shortening is a common method due to the informal and short usage of slang. When
words are shortened, sounds can be eliminated from the beginning (grandma/grandmother
–
gram) or the end (brother-broth) or both (detective-tec). Besides these, there are clipping,
abbreviation
and
naming
the
initial
letters.
Examples:
KO

for
kick
off
,
AWOL
(from
military slang) for
absent without official leave
,
cop
for
copper
,
tan
for
tough as nails
,
ID

for
identification card
,
B- girl
for
bar girl
,
amp
for
ampere
,
pop
for
popular music
,
flu
for
influenza
etc.
3.2.3 Compounding
For many slang items, word + word structure is obvious. There are certain words that
appear
frequently
in
compound
formations.
In
grammar,
this
phenomenon
is
called
affixation
.
For
this
part,
the
formation
of
slang
follows
the
same
principle
with
English
language.
Examples:
fat
farm,
bachelor
mother,
birdfarm,
dum-dum,
no-no,
tiptop,
fuddy-duddy, super-duper, megacost, megatravel, beatink, peaceink
etc.
3.2.4 Blending
It
is
actually
a
combination
of
shortening
and
compounding.
It
put
the
words
and
meanings together, shorten them and form
a new combinational meaning.
A well- known
example is
brunch
from
breakfast
and
lunch
, which means a meal that combines breakfast
and lunch. And
mingy
, which is blended by
mean
and
stingy
.
Nevertheless, most of the time people create slang because they just feel it too plain to
say the Standard English or formal English. They want to get rid of the dull language mode.
So
they
say
give
him
the
air
instead
of
dismiss
,
stand
somebody
up

instead
of
keep
in
waiting
,
cool
instead of
wonderful
,
goggle box
instead of
television
,
cancer stick
instead of
cigarette
,
how
do
you
do

instead
of
have
a
cigar
,
smoke
eater
instead
of
fireman,
chin
instead of
chat, real bad
instead of
terrific,

tip-top
instead of
first-rate
etc.
4. Dynamic Change
4.1 Change in attitude

7