Track 2

Unit 1

Communication studies

Slang and language change

Page 3

Build your vocabulary

1. Attitudes toward slang vary widely. While some people approve of it, others are neutral or disapprove of it strongly.

2. Language never stays the same for long; it’s constantly changing.

3. Slang helps us to construct friendships by showing others that we “speak their language” and are therefore part of their group.

4. The world is continually evolving thanks to the development of new and better technology.

5. Young people play an important role in expanding language by adding a variety of slang and new meanings.

6. People often try to create an identity for themselves by wearing a particular style of clothing or speaking in a certain way.

7. Many people think that a desire to be different is an inevitable part of teenage development, a natural phase teens can’t avoid.

8. Language is a fascinating and unique phenomenon. How human language distinguishes us from other animals has been studied for years.

9. For some people, teenagers’ use of slang and other forms of “bad” language reinforces the idea that they are rebellious and do not want to conform.

10. The use of slang was not always as widespread as it is today; nowadays most people use it quite freely.