Slang knowledge among non-native students of english and spanish

Abstract

Defining and studying slang has always been a difficult task because of its oral use and limited written records. It is a lexicon known and used by native communities of speakers but it is unknown the knowledge that non-native speakers have on it, since very few studies have focused on the topic (Namvar, 2014; Kim, 2004; Grossman & Tucker, 1997; Charkova, 2007). Therefore, the aims of this paper are to examine the knowledge of L2 learners of English and Spanish and to analyse the effect of study-abroad period on the first group. In order to do so, two questionnaires of slang words and expressions were used to collect data about students‟ level of slang knowledge. In the first part of the study, the participants were 20 undergraduate students in the fourth year of English Studies degree. As for the second, 11 students of Spanish in the C1 level were asked. The study shows how Spanish students of English have limitations when they deal with isolated slang terms and how they can deduce slang lexicon when it is contextualized. Regarding L2 Spanish students, the ignorance of argot is even higher. Besides, although some slang is known, it is barely used by students when they communicate in the L2. In order to show the importance that slang has nowadays in our society, several examples of slang on social media are presented. Finally, we propose the implementation of a subject in any degree involving language which covers all the colloquial features that students can find in a native speaking environment.