Do you use slang with your friends? Would you use it in a job interview? 😅
Languages have always changed. But who decides which words are "proper"? Should schools ban slang — or teach students when to use it?
LOLYOLOain'tgroovyfrenemyshall notindeedI beg your pardon
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Slang
Identity & humor
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Standard
Formal & correct
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Harris Academy
Banned slang
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Linguists
It's natural!
Two sides, one question: is slang destroying the language — or enriching it?
Reading02
Skimming Task ⏱️
Read the article quickly (90 seconds). Answer three questions:
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WHO BANNED SLANG?
Which school banned slang, and what did teachers think would happen?
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WHEN?
When did "planking" lose popularity? When did "groovy" stop being cool?
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WHY SLANG?
What reasons do linguists give for why people use slang?
✅ WHO: Harris Academy in London — teachers feared students couldn't communicate properly for jobs/university | WHEN: Planking lost popularity by early 2012; groovy faded by 1980 | WHY: Group identity, creativity/humor, and expressing complex ideas efficiently
Introduction
Harris Academy's Ban
A school ban sparks a national debate about language.
Reading03
The Ban that Started a Debate
In 2013, Harris Academy — a school in south London — banned its students from using slang.Posters around the school showed a list of slang words that students weren't allowed to use, such as ain't and like.The move led to a debate on whether it is necessary to control the way students speak.
The dashes create a parenthetical appositive — extra identifying information about Harris Academy. Dashes are chosen over brackets (too formal/parenthetical) or commas (which might look like part of the main clause) because they create a stronger visual and rhythmic break. The information in the dashes ('a school in south London') is relevant but not essential — it anchors the place without interrupting the main announcement. In journalism, dashes are preferred for their emphatic, modern feel.
Reading04
The Words They Banned
In 2013, Harris Academy — a school in south London — banned its students from using slang.Posters around the school showed a list of slang words that students weren't allowed to use, such as ain't and like.The move led to a debate on whether it is necessary to control the way students speak.
'Such as' introduces a non-exhaustive list of examples — it signals there are more words on the poster but only two are given. Grammatically, 'ain't and like' are in apposition to 'slang words.' The choice of these two words is deliberate: 'ain't' is a long-stigmatized non-standard contraction for 'am not / is not / are not,' while 'like' is a discourse filler or quotative ('she was like, "really?"'). Both are extremely common in informal speech — choosing them highlights that the ban targeted everyday, natural language, making it more controversial.
Reading05
A National Debate
In 2013, Harris Academy — a school in south London — banned its students from using slang.Posters around the school showed a list of slang words that students weren't allowed to use, such as ain't and like.The move led to a debate on whether it is necessary to control the way students speak.
'It is necessary' uses an impersonal construction (dummy 'it' + adjective), which sounds more objective and universal — as if necessity is an external standard, not a personal choice. 'They should control' would make the school the active agent and invite more direct judgment. The impersonal form presents the debate question in neutral terms, fitting a journalistic introduction that will later present both sides fairly. It's a sophisticated stylistic choice for balanced reporting.
Language History
Slang Is Nothing New
From Benjamin Franklin to today — language has always changed.
Reading06
How Languages Change
The creation of slang is one way languages change.Slang, or informal language, usually changes more rapidly than standard language.For example, the word groovy, meaning "great," used to be very popular in the 1960s and '70s.But by 1980, people had stopped using it.Throughout history, changes in language have received much criticism.In 1789, Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States, wrote about his objections to words such as notice and progress being used as verbs.
'One way' signals that slang is part of a broader category of language change — not the only one, not the most important one, but one. This is hedged, inclusive, academically careful language. Saying 'the main way' would make an unsupported absolute claim; saying 'a way' (indefinite) works too, but 'one way' more explicitly positions it within a set. The phrasing models the academic habit of precise qualification — not overstating your claim.
Reading07
Slang Changes Faster Than Standard Language
The creation of slang is one way languages change.Slang, or informal language, usually changes more rapidly than standard language.For example, the word groovy, meaning "great," used to be very popular in the 1960s and '70s.But by 1980, people had stopped using it.Throughout history, changes in language have received much criticism.In 1789, Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States, wrote about his objections to words such as notice and progress being used as verbs.
The phrase 'or informal language' is an appositive definition — it renames or clarifies 'slang' for readers who may not be familiar with the term. The use of commas creates a parenthetical insert: remove it and the sentence still works perfectly. 'Or' here signals equivalence, not contrast — it means 'that is to say' or 'in other words.' This technique is very common in academic and informational writing when a technical or specialized term is introduced: define it immediately, unobtrusively, inline.
Reading08
Groovy Then, Gone by 1980
The creation of slang is one way languages change.Slang, or informal language, usually changes more rapidly than standard language.For example, the word groovy, meaning "great," used to be very popular in the 1960s and '70s.But by 1980, people had stopped using it.Throughout history, changes in language have received much criticism.In 1789, Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States, wrote about his objections to words such as notice and progress being used as verbs.
The past perfect ('had stopped') indicates that the stopping happened before the reference time (1980). In other words, by the time 1980 arrived, the process was already complete. This creates a sense of finality: groovy was not just declining in 1980 — it was already gone. The tense also creates a contrast between two past moments: popularity in the 60s–70s → already finished by 1980. This precise temporal layering is one of the key functions of the past perfect in English.
Reading09
Groovy — Gone by 1980
The creation of slang is one way languages change.Slang, or informal language, usually changes more rapidly than standard language.For example, the word groovy, meaning "great," used to be very popular in the 1960s and '70s.But by 1980, people had stopped using it.Throughout history, changes in language have received much criticism.In 1789, Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States, wrote about his objections to words such as notice and progress being used as verbs.
Starting a sentence with 'But' is a deliberate rhetorical choice, not a grammar error. 'But' here functions as a coordinating conjunction used for emphasis: it creates a sharp, punchy contrast with the previous sentence about popularity in the 60s–70s. In informal and journalistic writing, initial 'But' is widely accepted — it creates immediacy and drama that 'However' (the formal alternative) would soften. The abruptness mirrors the sudden disappearance of the word itself. The past perfect 'had stopped' reinforces the finality — by 1980, the process was already complete.
Reading10
Ben Franklin Was Against Change Too
The creation of slang is one way languages change.Slang, or informal language, usually changes more rapidly than standard language.For example, the word groovy, meaning "great," used to be very popular in the 1960s and '70s.But by 1980, people had stopped using it.Throughout history, changes in language have received much criticism.In 1789, Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States, wrote about his objections to words such as notice and progress being used as verbs.
The example undermines prescriptivism through historical irony: Franklin objected to 'notice' and 'progress' as verbs in 1789 — but today they are completely standard, unremarkable English. This implies that language change objectors have always existed, and they have always eventually lost. The historical example argues that language regulation is ultimately futile: what seems incorrect today often becomes normal tomorrow. It positions the Harris Academy ban as merely the latest episode in a long history of (unsuccessful) resistance to change.
Reading11
Franklin's Objections in 1789
The creation of slang is one way languages change.Slang, or informal language, usually changes more rapidly than standard language.For example, the word groovy, meaning "great," used to be very popular in the 1960s and '70s.But by 1980, people had stopped using it.Throughout history, changes in language have received much criticism.In 1789, Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States, wrote about his objections to words such as notice and progress being used as verbs.
The appositive 'one of the founding fathers of the United States' performs a crucial argumentative function: it reminds readers that Franklin was a figure of enormous authority, intelligence, and cultural prestige. The implication is powerful: if even the most respected, educated minds of their era objected to language change — and history proved them wrong — then the Harris Academy ban is simply the latest version of the same ultimately futile impulse. Including the appositive elevates the irony: the more impressive the objector, the more striking the failure of their objection. It is both informative and rhetorically strategic.
Why Do We Use Slang?
Identity & Creativity
Slang creates belonging, humor, and efficiency.
Reading12
Showing Group Belonging
One important reason we use slang is to show others that we belong to a group.When only a particular group of people use and understand certain words and phrases, it strengthens their sense of identity within that group.Each different group — teenagers, the media, and so on — has its own set of slang.Another reason for using slang is to communicate an idea in a more colorful or humorous way.For example, the phrase jump ship creates a stronger image than the more standard leave an organization.In addition, slang often allows us to express complex ideas effectively.The word frenemy (someone who pretends to be a friend, but is really an enemy) conveys its meaning more quickly than standard language.
The subject is 'One important reason' — a noun phrase using the partitive 'one of.' The predicate 'is to show others...' uses a to-infinitive as a subject complement (predicate nominative): the infinitive phrase renames 'reason.' This structure (Noun + is + to-infinitive) is extremely common for defining purposes. It's cleaner than saying 'We use slang because we want to show others...' — the noun subject ('reason') makes the purpose more direct and emphatic.
Reading13
Shared Language, Shared Identity
One important reason we use slang is to show others that we belong to a group.When only a particular group of people use and understand certain words and phrases, it strengthens their sense of identity within that group.Each different group — teenagers, the media, and so on — has its own set of slang.Another reason for using slang is to communicate an idea in a more colorful or humorous way.For example, the phrase jump ship creates a stronger image than the more standard leave an organization.In addition, slang often allows us to express complex ideas effectively.The word frenemy (someone who pretends to be a friend, but is really an enemy) conveys its meaning more quickly than standard language.
The subject of 'it strengthens' is the dummy pronoun 'it', which refers back to the entire 'when' clause — the situation of shared exclusive language use. This is an extraposed subject construction: the real subject (the whole 'when' clause) has been moved to the front as an adverbial, and 'it' holds the subject slot. This structure is effective because it delays the main claim ('strengthens identity') until after the condition is fully established. It also makes the sentence feel more conversational and natural than 'The exclusive use and understanding of words by a group strengthens their identity.'
Reading14
Colorful Language & "Jump Ship"
One important reason we use slang is to show others that we belong to a group.When only a particular group of people use and understand certain words and phrases, it strengthens their sense of identity within that group.Each different group — teenagers, the media, and so on — has its own set of slang.Another reason for using slang is to communicate an idea in a more colorful or humorous way.For example, the phrase jump ship creates a stronger image than the more standard leave an organization.In addition, slang often allows us to express complex ideas effectively.The word frenemy (someone who pretends to be a friend, but is really an enemy) conveys its meaning more quickly than standard language.
'Jump ship' is a concrete, physical metaphor — it creates a visual image of someone leaping off a sinking vessel. This makes the abstract concept (leaving a failing organization) vivid and emotionally resonant. Standard language ('leave an organization') is more neutral but less memorable. The metaphorical image also carries connotations of panic, disloyalty, or urgency that 'leave' does not. However, this is not always an advantage: in formal contexts, those connotations may be inappropriate or misleading — context determines which register serves better.
Reading15
Every Group Has Its Own Slang
One important reason we use slang is to show others that we belong to a group.When only a particular group of people use and understand certain words and phrases, it strengthens their sense of identity within that group.Each different group — teenagers, the media, and so on — has its own set of slang.Another reason for using slang is to communicate an idea in a more colorful or humorous way.For example, the phrase jump ship creates a stronger image than the more standard leave an organization.In addition, slang often allows us to express complex ideas effectively.The word frenemy (someone who pretends to be a friend, but is really an enemy) conveys its meaning more quickly than standard language.
'And so on' (et cetera) signals that the list is open-ended and non-exhaustive — the author could list more groups but chooses to stop. This is a deliberate rhetorical move: it invites the reader to mentally extend the list themselves (doctors, gamers, musicians, sports fans, etc.), making the claim feel universally applicable rather than limited to two examples. Grammatically, it functions as an ellipsis marker — a shorthand for continuation. The placement of 'teenagers, the media' as the two examples is strategic: one social group (age-defined), one professional group (context-defined) — showing that the range cuts across society.
Reading16
Jump Ship — A Stronger Image
One important reason we use slang is to show others that we belong to a group.When only a particular group of people use and understand certain words and phrases, it strengthens their sense of identity within that group.Each different group — teenagers, the media, and so on — has its own set of slang.Another reason for using slang is to communicate an idea in a more colorful or humorous way.For example, the phrase jump ship creates a stronger image than the more standard leave an organization.In addition, slang often allows us to express complex ideas effectively.The word frenemy (someone who pretends to be a friend, but is really an enemy) conveys its meaning more quickly than standard language.
Using 'more standard' (comparative) rather than 'standard' (absolute) is a subtle but important choice. It implies that formality is a spectrum, not a binary — 'leave an organization' is not perfectly formal, just more formal than 'jump ship.' This hedges the claim accurately: in reality, there is no single 'standard' English phrase, only more or less formal options. The comparative also functions as an implicit concession: slang phrases can coexist with more standard ones rather than replace them. This nuanced phrasing reflects the article's overall balanced, non-prescriptive stance.
Reading17
Slang Expresses Complex Ideas Efficiently
One important reason we use slang is to show others that we belong to a group.When only a particular group of people use and understand certain words and phrases, it strengthens their sense of identity within that group.Each different group — teenagers, the media, and so on — has its own set of slang.Another reason for using slang is to communicate an idea in a more colorful or humorous way.For example, the phrase jump ship creates a stronger image than the more standard leave an organization.In addition, slang often allows us to express complex ideas effectively.The word frenemy (someone who pretends to be a friend, but is really an enemy) conveys its meaning more quickly than standard language.
'In addition' is an additive discourse marker that signals a new, cumulative reason is being introduced — it is the third reason in a list (belonging → humor/color → efficiency). It signals to the reader: 'we have not finished; here is more.' Structurally, it links back to the previous reason (colorful/humorous communication) while opening a new one (efficiency/complexity). This makes the paragraph feel logically organized and cumulative. In academic writing, 'in addition' is preferred over 'also' because it is more formal and connective — it explicitly signals the addition of evidence or reasons.
Reading18
"Frenemy" — One Word Does It All
One important reason we use slang is to show others that we belong to a group.When only a particular group of people use and understand certain words and phrases, it strengthens their sense of identity within that group.Each different group — teenagers, the media, and so on — has its own set of slang.Another reason for using slang is to communicate an idea in a more colorful or humorous way.For example, the phrase jump ship creates a stronger image than the more standard leave an organization.In addition, slang often allows us to express complex ideas effectively.The word frenemy (someone who pretends to be a friend, but is really an enemy) conveys its meaning more quickly than standard language.
The parenthetical definition shows that 'frenemy' may not be familiar to all readers — the author is helpfully glossing a specialized term. More interestingly, 'frenemy' is a portmanteau (blend word): friend + enemy fused into one. This process of word formation (blending) is how many slang words are created — efficiently combining two concepts. The example supports the paragraph's argument about efficiency: one word replaces a 10-word explanation. This is linguistic innovation at its most creative and economical.
Is Slang Degrading Our Language?
Both Sides of the Debate
Teachers worry; linguists disagree. What's the truth?
Reading19
Teachers' Concerns
Some people feel strongly against the use of slang.Teachers at Harris Academy were worried that slang would prevent their students from learning how to read, write, and express themselves correctly.They thought this might cause problems for students when they eventually went on to apply to universities or to look for jobs.David Lammy, a British politician, supports the school's decision.He feels that people need to know when to use formal and informal language.However, some people think differently.Linguist Tony Thorne sees slang as a way for speakers of a language to show their creativity and humor.He argues that slang is important in social interactions, enabling us to express who we are and the communities we belong to.And — contrary to what some believe — slang is not a new phenomenon.As Thorne explains, "Slang has not become more prevalent, simply more public."In today's highly connected world, slang has become more noticeable because of better tools to observe language change.Perhaps the concerns raised by critics can be solved by making people aware of when to use certain forms of language.As long as people use slang in the right situations, there may not be a need to completely discourage it.
'Feel strongly against' signals that opposition is emotional and principled, not merely practical. 'Feel' (vs 'think' or 'argue') suggests personal conviction rather than intellectual analysis. 'Strongly' amplifies the intensity. Together, the phrase frames anti-slang advocates as having deep emotional investment in the issue. This is a subtle authorial signal: before presenting their arguments, the author acknowledges that these are felt beliefs — making the subsequent counterarguments more interesting as a genuine clash of values.
Reading20
Teachers' Fears About Students' Futures
Some people feel strongly against the use of slang.Teachers at Harris Academy were worried that slang would prevent their students from learning how to read, write, and express themselves correctly.They thought this might cause problems for students when they eventually went on to apply to universities or to look for jobs.David Lammy, a British politician, supports the school's decision.He feels that people need to know when to use formal and informal language.However, some people think differently.Linguist Tony Thorne sees slang as a way for speakers of a language to show their creativity and humor.He argues that slang is important in social interactions, enabling us to express who we are and the communities we belong to.And — contrary to what some believe — slang is not a new phenomenon.As Thorne explains, "Slang has not become more prevalent, simply more public."In today's highly connected world, slang has become more noticeable because of better tools to observe language change.Perhaps the concerns raised by critics can be solved by making people aware of when to use certain forms of language.As long as people use slang in the right situations, there may not be a need to completely discourage it.
The tricolon (a list of three) 'read, write, and express themselves' is a deliberate rhetorical and grammatical structure. It moves from receptive skills (read) to productive skills (write) to the broader communicative competence (express themselves) — a logical, escalating progression. Tricolons are memorable and feel complete: three is the minimum for 'plurality' and the maximum before it feels like a laundry list. The phrase 'express themselves correctly' also reveals an assumption: that there is a 'correct' way to express oneself — which the rest of the article challenges through the linguist perspective.
Reading21
Concerns About University and Jobs
Some people feel strongly against the use of slang.Teachers at Harris Academy were worried that slang would prevent their students from learning how to read, write, and express themselves correctly.They thought this might cause problems for students when they eventually went on to apply to universities or to look for jobs.David Lammy, a British politician, supports the school's decision.He feels that people need to know when to use formal and informal language.However, some people think differently.Linguist Tony Thorne sees slang as a way for speakers of a language to show their creativity and humor.He argues that slang is important in social interactions, enabling us to express who we are and the communities we belong to.And — contrary to what some believe — slang is not a new phenomenon.As Thorne explains, "Slang has not become more prevalent, simply more public."In today's highly connected world, slang has become more noticeable because of better tools to observe language change.Perhaps the concerns raised by critics can be solved by making people aware of when to use certain forms of language.As long as people use slang in the right situations, there may not be a need to completely discourage it.
'Eventually' is a temporal adverb that implies the consequences are not immediate but certain — it adds a forward-looking, predictive quality to the teachers' worry. It also emphasizes the long-term stakes: this isn't just about a school test, it's about future life outcomes. The parallel infinitives 'to apply to universities' and 'to look for jobs' are structurally balanced (syntactic parallelism): both are 'to + verb + object.' This balance creates a sense of completeness — two key life goals, presented as equally important. The parallelism also makes the sentence easier to process and more emphatic.
Reading22
David Lammy's View — Know When to Switch
Some people feel strongly against the use of slang.Teachers at Harris Academy were worried that slang would prevent their students from learning how to read, write, and express themselves correctly.They thought this might cause problems for students when they eventually went on to apply to universities or to look for jobs.David Lammy, a British politician, supports the school's decision.He feels that people need to know when to use formal and informal language.However, some people think differently.Linguist Tony Thorne sees slang as a way for speakers of a language to show their creativity and humor.He argues that slang is important in social interactions, enabling us to express who we are and the communities we belong to.And — contrary to what some believe — slang is not a new phenomenon.As Thorne explains, "Slang has not become more prevalent, simply more public."In today's highly connected world, slang has become more noticeable because of better tools to observe language change.Perhaps the concerns raised by critics can be solved by making people aware of when to use certain forms of language.As long as people use slang in the right situations, there may not be a need to completely discourage it.
Lammy's position is actually code-switching awareness — he is not saying slang is wrong, but that people need to know when to use each register. This is more nuanced than the teachers' position, which seems to imply slang itself is harmful. Lammy accepts slang's existence but argues for contextual competence: formal when formal, informal when informal. This is a moderate position that foreshadows the article's conclusion ('as long as people use slang in the right situations'). Notably, the author uses 'feels' for Lammy — aligning him with the emotional/personal register.
Reading23
Lammy: Know When to Switch Registers
Some people feel strongly against the use of slang.Teachers at Harris Academy were worried that slang would prevent their students from learning how to read, write, and express themselves correctly.They thought this might cause problems for students when they eventually went on to apply to universities or to look for jobs.David Lammy, a British politician, supports the school's decision.He feels that people need to know when to use formal and informal language.However, some people think differently.Linguist Tony Thorne sees slang as a way for speakers of a language to show their creativity and humor.He argues that slang is important in social interactions, enabling us to express who we are and the communities we belong to.And — contrary to what some believe — slang is not a new phenomenon.As Thorne explains, "Slang has not become more prevalent, simply more public."In today's highly connected world, slang has become more noticeable because of better tools to observe language change.Perhaps the concerns raised by critics can be solved by making people aware of when to use certain forms of language.As long as people use slang in the right situations, there may not be a need to completely discourage it.
The verb 'feels' is a mental-state reporting verb that implies personal conviction rather than evidence-based argument. Compare: 'argues' signals logical reasoning with support; 'states' implies formal assertion; 'feels' suggests intuition or personal belief. The choice of 'feels' for Lammy (a politician) subtly positions his view as opinion rather than scholarly analysis — contrasting with 'explains' used for the linguist Thorne, which implies expertise and factual grounding. This is a subtle authorial bias signal: the descriptive linguist is framed as more authoritative. The word choice is a masterclass in epistemic stance-marking.
Reading24
Tony Thorne — Linguist's View
Some people feel strongly against the use of slang.Teachers at Harris Academy were worried that slang would prevent their students from learning how to read, write, and express themselves correctly.They thought this might cause problems for students when they eventually went on to apply to universities or to look for jobs.David Lammy, a British politician, supports the school's decision.He feels that people need to know when to use formal and informal language.However, some people think differently.Linguist Tony Thorne sees slang as a way for speakers of a language to show their creativity and humor.He argues that slang is important in social interactions, enabling us to express who we are and the communities we belong to.And — contrary to what some believe — slang is not a new phenomenon.As Thorne explains, "Slang has not become more prevalent, simply more public."In today's highly connected world, slang has become more noticeable because of better tools to observe language change.Perhaps the concerns raised by critics can be solved by making people aware of when to use certain forms of language.As long as people use slang in the right situations, there may not be a need to completely discourage it.
This short sentence is a structural pivot (discourse marker sentence) — it signals a complete shift in viewpoint. Everything before 'however' presents the anti-slang position; everything after presents the pro-slang/descriptive linguist view. The brevity is strategic: a longer transition would dilute the force of the contrast. 'Think differently' is deliberately neutral and open — it doesn't say "are right" or "are wrong." This balanced framing is characteristic of good journalistic writing: both sides are introduced fairly.
Reading25
Thorne: Slang as Creativity and Humor
Some people feel strongly against the use of slang.Teachers at Harris Academy were worried that slang would prevent their students from learning how to read, write, and express themselves correctly.They thought this might cause problems for students when they eventually went on to apply to universities or to look for jobs.David Lammy, a British politician, supports the school's decision.He feels that people need to know when to use formal and informal language.However, some people think differently.Linguist Tony Thorne sees slang as a way for speakers of a language to show their creativity and humor.He argues that slang is important in social interactions, enabling us to express who we are and the communities we belong to.And — contrary to what some believe — slang is not a new phenomenon.As Thorne explains, "Slang has not become more prevalent, simply more public."In today's highly connected world, slang has become more noticeable because of better tools to observe language change.Perhaps the concerns raised by critics can be solved by making people aware of when to use certain forms of language.As long as people use slang in the right situations, there may not be a need to completely discourage it.
'Sees X as Y' is a perception-framing construction — it suggests that Thorne interprets or perceives slang in a particular way, implying an intellectual viewpoint arrived at through observation and analysis. 'Thinks' is more neutral and generic; 'believes' carries a hint of personal faith or opinion. 'Sees as' is richer: it implies that after looking at the evidence, this is the picture that emerges. In academic citation, 'sees X as' is used when an author has developed an interpretive framework, not just an opinion. It also subtly elevates Thorne's authority — he is positioned as someone who perceives what others miss.
Reading26
Slang in Social Interactions — Who We Are
Some people feel strongly against the use of slang.Teachers at Harris Academy were worried that slang would prevent their students from learning how to read, write, and express themselves correctly.They thought this might cause problems for students when they eventually went on to apply to universities or to look for jobs.David Lammy, a British politician, supports the school's decision.He feels that people need to know when to use formal and informal language.However, some people think differently.Linguist Tony Thorne sees slang as a way for speakers of a language to show their creativity and humor.He argues that slang is important in social interactions, enabling us to express who we are and the communities we belong to.And — contrary to what some believe — slang is not a new phenomenon.As Thorne explains, "Slang has not become more prevalent, simply more public."In today's highly connected world, slang has become more noticeable because of better tools to observe language change.Perhaps the concerns raised by critics can be solved by making people aware of when to use certain forms of language.As long as people use slang in the right situations, there may not be a need to completely discourage it.
'Enabling us to express who we are and the communities we belong to' is a present participial phrase functioning as an adverbial complement of result or manner — it explains how slang is 'important in social interactions.' Participial phrases in this position (after a comma, following the main clause) give additional information without starting a new sentence, creating a flowing, explanatory effect. The phrase 'who we are' is a free relative clause — it captures identity broadly. Combined with 'communities we belong to,' it covers both individual identity and group belonging — echoing the paragraph 3 theme, creating structural cohesion across the whole article.
Reading27
"Contrary to What Some Believe"
Some people feel strongly against the use of slang.Teachers at Harris Academy were worried that slang would prevent their students from learning how to read, write, and express themselves correctly.They thought this might cause problems for students when they eventually went on to apply to universities or to look for jobs.David Lammy, a British politician, supports the school's decision.He feels that people need to know when to use formal and informal language.However, some people think differently.Linguist Tony Thorne sees slang as a way for speakers of a language to show their creativity and humor.He argues that slang is important in social interactions, enabling us to express who we are and the communities we belong to.And — contrary to what some believe — slang is not a new phenomenon.As Thorne explains, "Slang has not become more prevalent, simply more public."In today's highly connected world, slang has become more noticeable because of better tools to observe language change.Perhaps the concerns raised by critics can be solved by making people aware of when to use certain forms of language.As long as people use slang in the right situations, there may not be a need to completely discourage it.
'Contrary to' is a prepositional phrase of contrast that is more formal and emphatic than 'although.' 'Although some believe X, Y is true' keeps both clauses at equal weight. 'Contrary to what some believe' places the false belief inside the concession phrase, making it feel definitively wrong before the true claim is stated. The word 'contrary' (meaning directly opposed, contradictory) signals a sharper, more decisive correction. It's a rhetorically stronger refutation tool — linguists and debaters prefer it for this very reason.
Reading28
Thorne's Direct Quote — More Public, Not More Prevalent
Some people feel strongly against the use of slang.Teachers at Harris Academy were worried that slang would prevent their students from learning how to read, write, and express themselves correctly.They thought this might cause problems for students when they eventually went on to apply to universities or to look for jobs.David Lammy, a British politician, supports the school's decision.He feels that people need to know when to use formal and informal language.However, some people think differently.Linguist Tony Thorne sees slang as a way for speakers of a language to show their creativity and humor.He argues that slang is important in social interactions, enabling us to express who we are and the communities we belong to.And — contrary to what some believe — slang is not a new phenomenon.As Thorne explains, "Slang has not become more prevalent, simply more public."In today's highly connected world, slang has become more noticeable because of better tools to observe language change.Perhaps the concerns raised by critics can be solved by making people aware of when to use certain forms of language.As long as people use slang in the right situations, there may not be a need to completely discourage it.
The comma + 'simply' creates a sharp contrastive correction — a rhetorical structure sometimes called an appositive negation or corrective ellipsis. The full form would be: 'Slang has not become more prevalent; it has simply become more public.' Dropping the repeated verb creates elegance and punch. 'Simply' is doing heavy rhetorical work: it dismisses the premise ('slang is growing') as an overreaction and substitutes a calmer explanation ('it's just more visible'). The quote is highly quotable — balanced, brief, memorable — which is why the author uses direct speech here rather than paraphrase. It's a perfect summary of the descriptivists' position.
Reading29
Why Slang Seems More Common Today
Some people feel strongly against the use of slang.Teachers at Harris Academy were worried that slang would prevent their students from learning how to read, write, and express themselves correctly.They thought this might cause problems for students when they eventually went on to apply to universities or to look for jobs.David Lammy, a British politician, supports the school's decision.He feels that people need to know when to use formal and informal language.However, some people think differently.Linguist Tony Thorne sees slang as a way for speakers of a language to show their creativity and humor.He argues that slang is important in social interactions, enabling us to express who we are and the communities we belong to.And — contrary to what some believe — slang is not a new phenomenon.As Thorne explains, "Slang has not become more prevalent, simply more public."In today's highly connected world, slang has become more noticeable because of better tools to observe language change.Perhaps the concerns raised by critics can be solved by making people aware of when to use certain forms of language.As long as people use slang in the right situations, there may not be a need to completely discourage it.
'Highly connected' refers to digital and social media connectivity — the internet, smartphones, social platforms — which allow language from any subculture to become visible globally, instantly. The phrase implies that the visibility of slang has increased, not its frequency: slang has always existed in all communities, but it was contained within those communities. Now, a teenager's tweet reaches millions. This directly supports Thorne's quote: slang is 'more public' not 'more prevalent.' The phrase also grounds the argument in a contemporary technological context, making it feel current and relevant rather than an abstract linguistic debate.
Reading30
Solving the Problem Through Awareness
Some people feel strongly against the use of slang.Teachers at Harris Academy were worried that slang would prevent their students from learning how to read, write, and express themselves correctly.They thought this might cause problems for students when they eventually went on to apply to universities or to look for jobs.David Lammy, a British politician, supports the school's decision.He feels that people need to know when to use formal and informal language.However, some people think differently.Linguist Tony Thorne sees slang as a way for speakers of a language to show their creativity and humor.He argues that slang is important in social interactions, enabling us to express who we are and the communities we belong to.And — contrary to what some believe — slang is not a new phenomenon.As Thorne explains, "Slang has not become more prevalent, simply more public."In today's highly connected world, slang has become more noticeable because of better tools to observe language change.Perhaps the concerns raised by critics can be solved by making people aware of when to use certain forms of language.As long as people use slang in the right situations, there may not be a need to completely discourage it.
This sentence contains multiple layers of hedging: (1) 'Perhaps' — epistemic modal adverb signaling possibility, not certainty; (2) 'can be solved' — modal verb 'can' + passive voice, distancing from any specific solver; (3) 'making people aware' — vague, non-specific action; (4) 'certain forms' — indeterminate quantity. Together, these devices create a maximally tentative suggestion. The author is not prescribing a solution — they are floating one possibility. This is characteristic of balanced journalistic conclusion-writing: avoid alienating either camp by committing to a strong recommendation. The passive 'can be solved' also avoids naming who should do the solving — schools? governments? individuals?
Reading31
The Conclusion: Context is Key
Some people feel strongly against the use of slang.Teachers at Harris Academy were worried that slang would prevent their students from learning how to read, write, and express themselves correctly.They thought this might cause problems for students when they eventually went on to apply to universities or to look for jobs.David Lammy, a British politician, supports the school's decision.He feels that people need to know when to use formal and informal language.However, some people think differently.Linguist Tony Thorne sees slang as a way for speakers of a language to show their creativity and humor.He argues that slang is important in social interactions, enabling us to express who we are and the communities we belong to.And — contrary to what some believe — slang is not a new phenomenon.As Thorne explains, "Slang has not become more prevalent, simply more public."In today's highly connected world, slang has become more noticeable because of better tools to observe language change.Perhaps the concerns raised by critics can be solved by making people aware of when to use certain forms of language.As long as people use slang in the right situations, there may not be a need to completely discourage it.
The sentence is packed with hedging devices: 'As long as' (conditional), 'may not' (possibility, not certainty), 'a need' (vague noun), 'completely discourage' (mitigated action — not even 'ban'). This heavy hedging reflects a deliberate choice: the author presents a cautious, balanced conclusion rather than a firm verdict. In opinion-based journalism, extreme conclusions alienate readers — a hedged conclusion invites agreement from both sides. The author is ultimately saying: slang is acceptable, context matters. But even this is said tentatively.
Language32
"Contrary to" — Concessive Phrase
Refuting a false belief before stating the truth
contrary todespitein spite ofas opposed to
A) "Contrary to what some believe, slang is not a new phenomenon." — text example B) "Contrary to popular belief, cats cannot always land on their feet." — fixed phrase C) Weaker: "Although some people believe slang is new, it has always existed." — same meaning, less forceful D) RULE: "Contrary to + noun phrase" is more formal and direct than "although" concessive clauses; use it when you want to definitively correct a misconception
Three-part comparison:
1. Although X, Y — standard concessive clause; neutral
2. Despite X, Y — slightly more emphatic; X is a noun phrase
3. Contrary to X, Y — most emphatic; specifically signals that X is wrong, not just overcome Best for: correcting myths, urban legends, and common misconceptions in academic or persuasive writing.
Language33
Gerund in Parallel — Purpose Structure
When -ing phrases show what something is used for
a way for/of + -inguseful forhelps inallows + -ing
A) "Slang is a way for speakers to show their creativity and humor." — text example (preposition + noun + to-inf) B) "Code-switching is a way of demonstrating awareness of different contexts." — "way of + gerund" C) ❌ "Slang is creative and funny." — drops the structural insight entirely D) RULE: "a way for [sb] to do [sth]" vs "a way of doing [sth]" — both describe purpose; first includes agent (for speakers), second is more general
Practice: "Exercise is _____ staying healthy." (a way of) vs "Exercise is _____ athletes to maintain fitness." (a way for)
This structure is powerful because it defines a function, not just a description. 'Slang is funny' is an observation. 'Slang is a way to express identity' is a functional claim — much more useful in academic writing where you need to explain why things exist or are valued.
Language34
Reporting Verbs & Tense Consistency
How the verb you choose controls meaning and authority
explainsargueswrote (past)were worried (past)
A) "As Thorne explains, 'Slang has not become more prevalent...'" — present = still his current position B) "In 1789, Benjamin Franklin wrote about his objections..." — past = historical, fixed event C) "Teachers were worried that slang would prevent..." — past = their worry at a specific time D) RULE: present tense = person still holds this view (citing living thinkers); past tense = historical record or completed event
Academic writing convention: When citing a living scholar's published work or current belief, use the present tense ('argues', 'claims', 'states') — this is called the historical present in citation. When referring to something that happened once in the past ('Franklin wrote in 1789'), use the past simple. Mixing these tenses inconsistently signals poor understanding of when ideas are current vs. historical.
LOLgroovyYOLO
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LESSON COMPLETE
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Slang = Identity
Group belonging & humor
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Always Existed
Franklin complained in 1789!
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Descriptivism Wins
Language change is natural
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Context Decides
Know when to switch
"Slang has not become more prevalent, simply more public."