English Language Arts · 9th Grade · Grammar, Style, and the Power of Language · Weeks 28-36

Slang, Jargon, and Technology's Impact

Examining how slang, jargon, and technology influence the ongoing evolution of the English language.

• Common Core State Standards
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.9-10.6
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.4

About This Topic

This topic explores the dynamic nature of English, focusing on how slang, jargon, and technological advancements continuously shape its evolution. Students will investigate the origins and functions of slang within various social groups, understanding it as a marker of identity and belonging. They will also examine specialized jargon used in specific professions or hobbies, recognizing its role in efficient communication within those communities. Furthermore, the profound impact of digital communication, from texting to social media, on vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure will be a central theme.

Students will grapple with the question of whether the internet simplifies or complicates language, analyzing examples of both concise, abbreviated communication and the emergence of new, complex digital dialects. This unit encourages critical thinking about language change, challenging the notion that new forms are inherently inferior to traditional ones. By dissecting these linguistic phenomena, students develop a deeper appreciation for the flexibility and adaptability of English, recognizing that language is a living entity constantly responding to societal and technological shifts.

Active learning is particularly beneficial here because it allows students to directly engage with and analyze contemporary language use. Experiential learning helps demystify abstract concepts of linguistic evolution, making them relevant to students' daily lives.

Key Questions

1. Is the internet making our language more or less complex?
2. Compare the role of slang in different social groups and its impact on formal language.
3. Explain how technological advancements introduce new vocabulary and communication styles.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Slang is simply 'bad' or 'incorrect' English.

What to Teach Instead

Students can explore how slang serves specific social functions and evolves organically, often reflecting creativity and group identity. Analyzing examples in context helps them see slang as a legitimate, though informal, linguistic register.

Common Misconception

Technology only leads to shorter, simpler words and sentences.

What to Teach Instead

Through activities like analyzing online discussions or gaming communities, students can discover how technology also fosters new, complex vocabulary and communication styles. Examining the nuances of digital language use challenges the idea of simple degradation.

Active Learning Ideas

Format Name: Slang Lexicon Project

Students research slang terms used by different generations or subcultures, documenting their origins, meanings, and contexts. They then present their findings in a digital lexicon, explaining how these terms reflect social trends.

90 min·Small Groups

Format Name: Jargon Analysis Workshop

In small groups, students select a specific field (e.g., medicine, gaming, law) and identify common jargon. They create a short presentation explaining the purpose of this jargon and its potential to exclude outsiders.

60 min·Small Groups

Format Name: Digital Communication Debate

Students engage in a structured debate on whether technology is making language more or less complex. They must use evidence from their research on slang and jargon to support their arguments.

45 min·Whole Class

Frequently Asked Questions

How does slang impact formal writing?

Slang generally has no place in formal academic or professional writing. However, understanding slang helps writers recognize audience and context, enabling them to make conscious choices about register and tone. It also informs their understanding of language's adaptability.

What is the difference between slang and jargon?

Slang is informal language used by particular social groups, often for identity or exclusion. Jargon refers to specialized vocabulary used by professionals or hobbyists for precise communication within their field. Both evolve but serve different primary functions.

Is the internet making English simpler?

The internet's impact is complex. It encourages brevity and new abbreviations, but also fosters new vocabulary, complex online communities, and evolving communication norms. Whether it's 'simpler' is debatable; it's certainly different and constantly changing.

How can analyzing social media posts help students understand language evolution?

Social media provides a rich, real-time source of evolving slang, abbreviations, and new communication styles. By analyzing these platforms, students can directly observe how technology influences language, identify patterns of change, and discuss the social implications of these linguistic shifts.