Bare vexed

Dear Ms. Kerr,

I am writing in disagreement of an article I recently read by you. It was on the topic of slang, and how you believe it’s bad for society and the English language. If you would, please find the time to take in my points and possibly re-evaluate your opinion.

Slang, as we know, is a type of language consisting of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal, and typically restricted to a particular context or group of people. It is clear from your article that you feel slang is deteriorating the once eloquent foundations of the English language. You suggest “its already a constant battle for young people to prove we’re  not all apathetic, ASBO-wielding yobs who cant communicate properly”. Despite this, you actually use slang yourself- “yobs”. The irony!

Perhaps you need a small reminder that the actual creator of this ‘verbal abomination’ is William Shakespeare; Britain’s greatest ever writer. He made up thousands of words, from ‘assassination’ to ‘puke’, and he’s known globally as a literal genius! Additionally, countless plays, books and films have been written deliberately with slang to highlight and convey character and culture. for example; Clockwork Orange and Of Mice And Men. Slang is therefore not only for the uneducated and youthful, but a key aspect to modern day language which allows us to study character in more depth.

Furthermore, the use of slang isn’t just to irritate adults; it is in fact said by many youngsters that its used as a separation from the ‘adult’ world. What they mean by this is the use of slang allows them to escape the judgement of people like you. People like you who believe children who use  slang are nothing more than the dregs of society.

Frankly, your attitude disgusts me. You have the audacity to complain that people who speak using this language are bringing down the country and splitting it in two. But it is in fact you who is separating these two groups with such negative views. As mentioned before, people choose to use slang to escape judgement, and isn’t that understandable? Teenagers nowadays have to worry about school, jobs, homework, staying in shape, helping out at home and being sociable, plus 8 hours sleep all at once! the last thing they need is for bigots like you to be assessing them on his/her vocabulary in their free time.

My final point is addressing what confused me about your article most: do you even know what slang is? The use of slang is simply trends, new words made up  to replace other words. For example, the word ‘sick’ replacing the word ‘amazing’. Slang is not a title given for new inventions. You named your article ‘Twerking, Selfie and Unlike’. However, if you look at your own three examples, they’re all new inventions and additions (good or bad) to society. ‘Twerking’ is a new dance, ‘selfie’ is a new type of picture taking in a self-portrait mode and Unlike, the option to ‘unlike’ a photo. This isn’t slang! These are not random nouns made up to replace other words because, for example, there is no other noun used for ‘twerking’. What you have essentially done is heard a new word, didn’t like the sound of it and assumed it was slang. Therefore, your whole article is essentially pointless as you clearly don’t fully understand what slang is.

Please take my points into consideration and try to understand my point of view.

Safe!

Kai Mahindru.