California slang

California slang are words and phrases used around the West Coast. The slang heard in California can be separated into three different sections: Northern California, The Bay, and Southern California. Though some of the three groups' slang are similar, they also have very different ways to say something when translated.

Study of slang

Many people think slang makes people sound uneducated and builds barriers between different groups, adults, and teens, but that is not always true (Johnson). Many linguists have studied slang and have come to the conclusion that slang actually brings a group of people together (Carmichael). Groups use their slang as their own "secret" language. ("Slang Makes Language Unique"). They use slang as a way to show unification of group recognition (Morgan).

Linguists who have studied slang also conclude that slang used by teens help them develop socially. It is a process they go through to discover themselves. Teens develop their slang terms from their peers and the pressures to be independent. A teacher, Mr. Dean, said that he sees slang as a language on a certain level because it's a way teens communicate with each other, which is the real purpose of language (Dean). Teens also have some people impressed by their creativity in inventing words. They use everything around them as influences. The slang teens use also gives them a broad range of vocabulary to show thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

Slang influences

Music and television shows are listened to frequently by most people, so it doesn't come as a surprise when a hit song or popular cartoon show saying is heard in everyday conversations. Many words that are now used as slang come from the songs and shows people watch. Some slang words that have been influenced by rap songs are: "grillz," "stunna shades," "shorty," "baller," and more. Slang is also strongly influenced by popular T.V shows. People are constantly listening to the media that they start using the words they hear from it in their vocabulary ("Slang Dictionary"). Since new songs and T.V shows are constantly coming out, slang words and phrases are also continuously changing. So something heard or said right now might be the slang, but tomorrow's new Snoop Dogg song can quickly make a difference ("Urban Dictionary").

Northern California slang

The slang in California differs as do the people living in California, but certain slang terms can help you identify which part of California a person is from. The word "hella," is a slang word determined as California slang, but it is usually used by California's Northerners. It still can be heard in other parts of California, yet it is most commonly used by people in the North of California and not used as much in the other areas. Also the slang used in this particular area has been influenced by the Spanish language because of the population of Hispanics. Slang related and mixed with Spanish words can mainly be heard by the "gangsters." Their slang is made up of shortened Spanish words and consists of slang words to talk about drugs, sex, and violence. (Walker) They also have slang words to insult opposing gangs ("Heard 'em Say?").

The Bay hip-hop culture slang

The Bay slang, or as its people like to call it, The Yay area, consists of words like: hyphy, hella, thizz, and many other wordsFact|date=July 2008. ("Vox slang") The Bay Area's slang can be said to have originated from hit rap songs and "Hyphy" music. The "Hyphy" Movement plays a big roll in its listeners slang. With its Hyphy artists having their hometowns in the area, music by "E-40" and "Keak da Sneak" and "MAC DRE" "THIZZ IN PEACE" have a huge influence on the way the people in the Bay Area talk. (Bay Area)

Southern California slang

Southern California with its beaches and surfers have a whole different slang than the rest of California. Its slang has more words to explain the size of a wave, a cool trick, and other things related to surfing. Some words that you will hear from its surfers are "gnarly," "dude," and "grinders." ("Surfer Slang") Southern California's slang can be said to be "Surf talk." (Slangman) That being said, not all Southern Californians are surfers and use these certain words to describe an impressive wave or a "gnarly" move, but it can be commonly heard when around Southern California's majority of surfers in the area. The rest of the people in the area just use the slang to mean "cool."

References

* Bay Area Hip Hop Dictionary. 14 April 2004. Bay Area Dictionary. 30 June 2008.
* “California Slang” Title Forum Project.10 Dec. 2004.
* Carmichael, Kristin. “Slang is used to Unify the Masses” Cat Bytes. 7 July 2008.
* Dean, R. Dennis. “Slang is Language too” The English Journal Vol. 51. National Council of Teachers on English. May 1962. 323-326.
* Folsom Slang. 7 July 2008.
* “Heard ‘em Say?” The Paisano. 6 Nov. 2006. Popular slang on Campus. 7 July 2008.
* Johnson, Janice. "Slang: A Transitional Language". Planet Papers. 7 July 2008
* Morgan, Marcyliena. “Twisted in the Anti-Circle” Department of Anthropology. Annual Review of Anthropology: 2004. 30 June 2008.
* “Slang Dictionary to the Rescue” CBS News. 5 Dec. 2003. CBS: 2 July 2008.>
* “Slang Makes Language Unique” The Orion Online. 16 Feb. 2005. Maria Davalos. 30 June 2008
* Slangman, “Surfer Slang” News VOV. 5 Feb. 2002. 2 July 2008.
* “Surfer Slang” Surf Guru. 12 May 2008. 2 July 2008
* Urban Dictionary.30 June 2008.
* “Vox Slang” Vox Communications. 8 Dec. 2007. Slang. 29 June 2008.
* Walker, Robert. “Gangs OR Us” Gang slang.19 May 2008. Slang. 6 July 2008.