Does "slang" now have a legitimate place in serious literature?
By Dissposition
@Dissposition (469)
Canada
January 2, 2007 4:48pm CST
In this day and age us humans have pretty much preformed "rape and pillage" on the english language. Hip hop, youthfull want to be cool talk,there are new trends and termanologies for everything! Some new words accepted into webster's dictionary include "hoser","pod cast",and others, black berries are now longer fruit! Slang and invention have taken over..or so it seems...Do you believe that a) slang has a place in serious literature b)will it become anymore predominant in the future of writing?
4 people like this
27 responses
@dutchess67 (917)
• United States
3 Jan 07
When i first read your question, my instinctual response was no, it doesn't. Slang, in my own mind, is a lazy version of proper speach, no defined as being "correct" English. When we were younger it included things like "ain't" and other contracted forms of words. Now, however, words that once meant something else, like "Blackberry" are considered slang, but really, it's not. It's simply the name of something.
When I hear the word "literature" I think of classic authors like Jane Austen, Keats, Dostoyevski and Nathaniel Hawthorne and my mind screams at the thought of "ain't" being included or allowed anywhere near their texts. However, having thought about this, literature is meant to be representative of the times in which it is created. Looking at it from that perspective, I would have to say that yes, it actually does have a place in literature. I mean, we are a society that uses these slangs quite rampantly, so it would only make sense, right?
2 people like this
@Dissposition (469)
• Canada
3 Jan 07
I am pretty much the same way...I have always wished in a way that people communicated more like Shakespeare's plays. You were admired for wit, intelligence and the level of "mastery" of vocabulary, even if "we" didn't use the same termanologies, simply approaching communication with eachother like this would make every conversation at very least...well thought out!
Yet...I stand here as one of the guilty....setting my ideas out to humanity and I am a "slang" user!....I have only just begun to take writing seriously and like everything else in my life I am approaching it quite "differently"....I was wondering what the world or would be writers and readers would think of this ..um...."rough" style of literature!
I thank you so much for exploring both sides of the coin and approaching this discussion like a lady of shakespeareian times!
slang may have a place in modern or future literature but I agree that it wouldn't be the same if The Great Gatsby was known as "The Sickest Gatsby"....that's for sure!
thanx
Dissposition
p.s there are 2 movies out there that I must recomend to you #1 "Pinero" true story about a New York poet from the 60's/70's...ground breaking poems and the best Benjamin Bratt performance you will ever see! Not a movie to watch with any kids around though it is pretty serios stuff, he had alot of "problems" this Miguel Pinero did!
#2 Zig Zag in my opinion one of the most beautifully writin movie of moddern times...the movie is mostly through the thoughts of a kid who is "slow" but very smart!..kind of a small time robbery movie BUT it is the way the writer approached it all from the inside of the child's head!
enjoy!
1 person likes this
@dutchess67 (917)
• United States
3 Jan 07
I just might have to look into those movies. I am a film buff too.
I, too, am an aspiring writer. I have yet to complete a novel as I tend to get lost in where my writings are going after a time, but I will prevail one day. I have made a point of attempting to write in what I think of as different "voices". I've tried the proper English of the 18th century as well as different versions of modern English. I really feel like it exercises my mind and having gone back and read some of the things that I've written, I've actually found myself a little astounded at what I've written, in a positive way. I enjoy it though.
I just wish that I could find someone to collaberate with on story ideas that would help me to complete something and find a direction for the characters that I love to invent so much.
1 person likes this
@Dissposition (469)
• Canada
3 Jan 07
Truth drawn from experience...that is the easiest way to focus because your own truth as much as it is constantly changing, it is the one thing that remains consistant with us as well through our independent lifetimes as human beings...and it usally makes for great material!...sometimes I think that my focus is on "non-foucus" and that seems to work!...before I took writing seriously that's all I can rember other writers of all styles of writing said to me "get in complete touch with your truth and writing will become effortless!"
1 person likes this
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
2 Jan 07
I know Australian slang should within Australia, it is our way of speaking.
2 people like this
@Dissposition (469)
• Canada
2 Jan 07
yes and I have met many Australians through my travels...your culture rocks!..alot of nice people, just don't get them angry when their drunk!...LOL!
I am haeading to Australia the next time I travel...I soooo want to go on a legit "walk-about"..get in touch with "it ALL"
peace
Dissposition
1 person likes this
@uselesspowers (240)
• United States
3 Jan 07
Most definitely slang does have a place in serious literature. If authors write only in what is deemed as proper english, then perhaps some of them are sacrificing a large part of their being and their culture. For example, in the first reply about Australian slang, many books by an Australian author would be just as acceptable in proper English, but then there are things that only Australians can write about and only in their slang can those things be truly authentic. The same can be said about people who live in other countries, or within other cultures or parts of the same country. A southern draw can really add to a book about or based in that culture, in the same way that an author can best portray life on the streets in their own slang. When you see slang as slang, then it really takes away from the English language, but when you see "slang" as someone's voice or their point of view, it adds to the language instead. There are several great books by authors not afraid to write in their own voice. A Clockwork Orange is a great example from Stanley Kubrick, as is anything by Jack Kerouac. Slang is already successful in literature because it puts the reader on a level with the author. Because of this, slang will continue to thrive in literature.
@uselesspowers (240)
• United States
3 Jan 07
I'm sorry to put an additional comment here, I wish there was an edit option on myLot. But I must clarify something. I put that when "you see slang as slang, then it really takes away from the English language" and what i meant to say was "when you see slang as vulgar or degrading, then it really takes away from the English language." see, i think the problem is that critics of slang regard it as something that causes perversion of a language, but in literature, slang (or voice, as i like to call it) is the strength and validity of the story. without voice, you've got a faceless, generic author. it works in some instances, but not in most. again, sorry for the second post, but i really felt i needed to clarify.
@katcarneo (1433)
• Philippines
3 Jan 07
well, language evolves. some of the words we use now were actually just slangs before. perhaps you have tried reading old english literature and most of them are really hard to comprehend unless you have the translation on the next page. maybe a hundred years from now our literature would be some sort of gobbledygook for the future generation. the use of slang would depend on what is your definition of a "serious" literature. above all the appropriateness of slang can be seen in the content of your work.
@Dissposition (469)
• Canada
4 Jan 07
see ...you used "gobbledgook" in a sentance and it made PERFECT sense!
KUDOS!
Dissposition
@aquariancore (608)
• United States
3 Jan 07
Slang has always be a force in serious literature as it reflects the culture at the time. It just has to used appropriately and not used to be used. As a writer that is a fundamental or writing.
@Dissposition (469)
• Canada
3 Jan 07
I believe so as well and I do believe that classic and or slang words/terms will be constantly right along side of humanity.
thanx for responding
Dissposition
@4ftfingers (1310)
•
3 Jan 07
Yea it'sa very good point but I don't think we've raped the english language. It has just taken different directions. English has always been changing over the years, and although there is a certain english that we think of as 'proper' and 'original' english, there was even a different type of english before that. And since we have so many countries speaking this language, as their first or even second language, it's no surprise theres diffferent adaptations of it.
@Dissposition (469)
• Canada
3 Jan 07
I was wondering who the first person to comment on my light-hearted "harshness" of our possible actions towards our language!...KUDOS!
I believe in change...as the human evolves ..so too will the way we "see" the world...it is sensible to assume then, that so too will the ways in which we talk about it and so too will the ways which we write it down.
thank you for your response
peace
Dissposition
@surveysays (278)
• Singapore
3 Jan 07
This has been a fun discussion to follow.
I think that slang has a definite place in "serious" literature, and always has. Even the work of, say, Shakespeare played with the slang of its day. It may not be our slang today, but it was slang in the day it was written, quite often. What makes it stand the test of time is the way the slang is handled. It isn't so much a choice between slang or "proper" langauge that matters, but the commitment to using whichever one is chosen in an effective way, using it well.
@BunGirl (2638)
• United States
3 Jan 07
Slang has always been a part of literature. It is simply a reflection of the language used at the time of writing. The best example I can think of off the top of my head would be Mark Twain -- all of the dialog in his books was simply packed with slang and it helped the reader get a feel for the characters and the setting.
@Dissposition (469)
• Canada
3 Jan 07
Hmmm...excellent call....One of the masrepieces that is absolutely full of slang, thank you for pointing that out!
Diss-Position
@luzamper (1357)
• Philippines
3 Jan 07
It depends upon the subject matter. If the writer likes to make it seem real where slang is necessary, he would use it. Besides, languages change, grow, and so many words unfamiliar and unaccepted before thru usage may become familiar and acceptable. I believe that slang has some place in serious literature and it will become more and more in use in the future.
@Dissposition (469)
• Canada
3 Jan 07
I believe that "slang" to "classic english language" is a great metaphor to our present "human ways" and it's more recent "addaptations". Humanity in some senses has turned living into a 'Slang-like" version of living. Things are moving at a speed that will be hard to see soon. Corners are being cut everywhere we look. But it is all about change and development, further understanding and new applications of past things. As we, as well as our times continue to change so to will the ways we all communicate with one another. I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens to our words!
may peace be with you
thank you for your insight
Dissposition.
@Dissposition (469)
• Canada
3 Jan 07
..no I believe that the issue is that I hve way too much "NUTS" sometimes for one human to handle!
LOL!...I have been accused of much worse!
peace
Dissposition
@Dissposition (469)
• Canada
3 Jan 07
I agree with you...and this gives me hope and power because I have noticed that my particular use of words and grammar can be quite "un-classical" at times, to say the least!
thank you my friend, for your response
Diss-Position
@SpitFire179 (2536)
• Canada
3 Jan 07
In Canada more slang is used by people lately than actual literacy... I think in a lot of cases this is kinda stupid, but hey, whatever goes goes right?
I think as time goes by you'll have to use the slang, or others won't understand what your saying. it's getting to the point where i can barely understand people my age, just because of all the slang that's used. So eventually there will almost be a totally new language in our world.
Slang has taken over, as unfortunate as it seems. I also notice that punctuation and spelling is slowly ceasing to matter at all in this world, and unless you can "feel out" where a sentence is ended and where it's beginning, and other things, then your not going to be able to read.
I'm kinda currious what this world is going to end up coming to 10-20 years down the road... Also kind of scares me...
Peace and love be with you.
Blessed be.
@Dissposition (469)
• Canada
3 Jan 07
I am so guilty of many of these acusations, my spelling can be horrible sometimes, other days while "in the zone" it is like I have completely forgotton that there is someting called "grammar", and I also find that "excessive" use of punctuation too!!!!!!!! (lol..and there's the "LOL" thing again!)
I dunno, I guess if it is artistic and "grabs" the reader, just about "anything" may help us humans relate to one another....I wonder what "publishers" are gonna(...is that even a word?!?) think of the "new" use of language by us future writers!
thanx for your insight
Dissposition
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
5 Jan 07
I feel that if slang lends itself to the work capturing the true essence of what is being desribed/conveyed, then yes, it does. For instance, how will one be able to write a novel about a teen from inner city NY, year 2006, without using that teen's dialect/slang and have that novel portray the teen with any accuracy?
@Dissposition (469)
• Canada
3 Jan 07
...did you realize that you just fell "trap" to it to?
"tweens"....see perhaps it is systems like MTV that have historically messed with the use of language!
peace
Dissposition
@rainbow (6761)
•
3 Jan 07
I enjoy reading books that are like real life but with a twist and usually choose fantasy novels.
I like to be able to be to appreciate the charactors differences, especailly if I read several books with the same characters so they become like friends.
To achieve this the author has to write in different ways, to transfer an image into our minds. If this means that some charactors have a strange way of talking then as long as it is still understandable to read and I don't have to be part of a particular street culture to understand it, then that's fine by me.
By the way, black berries are brambles, what else could they be?
@birthlady (5609)
• United States
3 Jan 07
Slang has always had a place in serious literature. I (and the world of literature) consider Alan Ginsburg a serious poet, and his writings are full of slang. Jack Keroak (sp?) wrote "On the Road" which became a maverik of the "beats" and is serious literature! There is also Tony Morrison...many others as well...
@cNotable (891)
• United States
3 Jan 07
Sure. Why not. It is how people talk so it should be reflected in literature.
@Withoutwings (6992)
• United States
5 Jan 07
I think the purpose of serious literature is to paint a vivid picture of the times we live in (well that's one of the reasons). So serious literature needs to embrace the times and the language.
@suchetan230044 (618)
• India
3 Jan 07
yes it is being invading the literature from a long time now.i think literature wont be of that much gravity with these slang getting into it.i think they are a result of technological advancement predominant use of text codes etc.i think it will have its place in the forth-coming literature.i dont support it personally,and i dont know what others have to say.thanks
@xtedaxcvg (3189)
• Philippines
3 Jan 07
As have said on the previous comments, English is a living language. It's constantly changing as any other language does. I believe that if it still has the complete meaning and almost everybody understands it, why not? :)
