Slang vs Colloquial
Many people are interested in understanding the differences between slang and colloquial language, as they often appear to refer to the same thing. However, colloquial is an adjective while slang is a noun or verb. Both terms refer to different types of language and have their origins in the mid-18th century.
Key Takeaways
- Slang refers to words, phrases, and uses that are very informal, often restricted to specific contexts or peculiar to a particular profession or class.
- Colloquial language refers to the linguistic usage specific to a particular region or location, which may not be understood by people from other areas.
- While slang is more informal and often humorous, colloquial language is considered a serious part of communication and is a topic of research in linguistics.
What is Slang?
Slang encompasses various types, including schoolboy slang, college student slang, and sports slang, among others. It is regarded as informal and sometimes refers to impure or abusive language. Slang is not considered a major topic for research and often has a humorous aspect to its communication.
What is Colloquial?
Colloquial language refers to the specific linguistic usage of a particular region or location. It is interesting to note that any given language can differ in its spoken form and vary from place to place, which is referred to as the colloquial form of a language. Colloquial forms are understood only in the specific region or location where they are spoken, and people from other areas may not understand the colloquial terms used in a particular region. They must become acclimated to such usages over time.
One major difference between slang and colloquial language is that slang becomes universal and spreads quickly to various parts of the globe. On the other hand, colloquial terms do not spread as rapidly and are slower to be understood by people from other regions. Colloquial terms and language are also a topic of research in the field of linguistics and are considered a serious part of communication.
What is the difference between Slang and Colloquial?
- Slang refers to informal words, phrases, and uses that are often specific to a context, profession, or class.
- There are various types of slang, such as schoolboy slang, college student slang, and sports slang.
- Slang can sometimes refer to impure or abusive language.
- Colloquial language refers to the linguistic usage specific to a region or location.
- Colloquial forms of a language are understood only in the specific region or location where they are spoken.
- Colloquial terms and language are a topic of research in linguistics, while slang is not considered a major research topic.
- Slang often has a humorous aspect, while colloquial language is a serious part of communication.
