Slang in America

1. Slang particularly American because America is so diverse that slang has been developed from many different cultures and regions. This is still the case in twenty-first-century America. Most other languages have their own slang but it is not quite as common and quickly developing. Due to social media slang has had a major growth in recent years. There are so many new words that are created via social media and have become an important element in our culture. Older generations see modern slang as sounding uneducated but the word "hip" is just as grammatically incorrect as the word "lit".

2. Whitman's opening paragraph lays the foundation for his ideas on slang because he says that language is universal. Language has no time, no race, no true origin and no possible limits. Slang is the constant new development of the limitless language. It is the creation of easier, convenient, and more modern ways of communication.

3. Whitman defines slang as “the lawless germinal element" because it is a language an it language has no limits but slang is an undeveloped, raw, and simple.  Since slang is so raw it is below "all words and sentences". Once slang is developed and made more complex it can form words, sentences, and even poetry. This is why it "proves a certain perennial rankness" because it is the foundation of all other language. However it is still not considered grammatically incorrect there for is in a sense "protestantism in speech." A great example of this is the internet language because it is basic and simple but also boundless and broad. It has created new dialect that is used in everyday conversation but it is still not proper speech. 

4. In paragraph two Whitman uses two metaphors. The first is saying that Language is a powerful monarch and slang is one of Shakespeare's clowns. Shakespeare's clowns use wit to out do the monarchs. Slang uses simplicity and modernity which make them more appealing word choices in conversation. The other metaphor is that of slang as fermentation or eructation. Slang is created suddenly and becomes popular and common very quickly. However some slang dies out but other slang will have permanent meaning.

5. In the third paragraph Whitman "makes it plainer" by using direct examples of slang rather than complicated metaphors he used in paragraph two. 

6. The relationship between slang and mythology is that slang is created because a word with a certain meaning does not yet exist. These words are often needed to describe a specific image or inspiration of mythology.

7. The evidence Whitman presents illustrates the single point that slang often comes in the form of nicknames. It gives a sense of familiarity toward the thing that is being nicknamed. It also gives the sense of identity to specific regions that each have different slang for the same thing. 

8. Whitman implies the opinion that American humorists are boring. This strengthens his essay because he says that the wit of humor, genius, and poetry used by laborers is more fun than that of the  American humorists. This supports the idea that simple slang is an essential part of language and communication in America.

9. The overall tone of the essay is defense, positive, and logical. The final paragraph contributes to the tone because he continues to defend the importance of slang. He does this through metaphors evolution and the human body, which apply to his tone of logic.

10. This essay reflects Whitman's poetry because a major accept of his style is his slang. He uses slang to relate to his readers and to speak in the familiar language they use. 

11. An example of slang as “an attempt of common humanity to escape from bald literalism, and express itself illimitably, which in highest walks produces poets and poems . . .” is in Langston Hughes' poem "Mother to Son". The use of slang is effective because it makes the words seem like they are really being said. Using everyday language makes it more relatable and it gives it simplicity so that it can be understood. 

12. I both agree and disagree with Dalzell's argument. I agree that slang is an emblem of identity. Each generation has its own type of slang and it is their own unifying language. I disagree with his statements about slang being a "defiant gesture of resistance" and about the regulation and restriction of slang. Slang is a means of expression and it is an identifying quality of each generation. I think that it is unnecessary for slang to be restricted because each young generation has its own slang including the generation of the oppressors. The words will come and go but it does not need to be limited. It is a unifying part the generations of our society. 

Mother Tongue

Amy Tan wrote an essay called Mother Tongue to tell about her and her mother’s experiences with English language. In this essay she chooses to include quotation from her mother rather than paraphrasing her words. This choice was very effective because it leaves her mother’s speech untainted. Tan talks about there being different Englishes. She uses one in her writing and another with her family. These quotations allows you to hear her mother’s English.

“Du Yusong having business like fruit stand. Like off the street kind. He is Du like Du Zong — but not Tsung- ming Island people. The local people call putong, the river east side, he belong to that side local people. That man want to ask Du Zong father take him in like become own family. Du Zong father wasn’t look down on him, but didn’t take seriously, until that man big like become a mafia. Now important person, very hard to inviting him. Chinese way, came only to show respect, don’t stay for dinner. Respect for making big celebration, he shows up. Mean gives lots of respect. Chinese custom. Chinese social life that way. If too important won’t have to stay too long. He come to my wedding. I didn’t see, I heard it. I gone to boy’s side, they have YMCA dinner. Chinese age I was nineteen.”

In great contrast to her mother’s English, Tan’s English when writing is very complex and grammatical. She says that she uses “nominalized forms, past perfect tenses, and conditional phrases”. None of which can be found in her mothers English and none of which she would use in front of her mother. In one of the drafts of her book she wrote, “That was my mental quandary in its nascent state”. She criticized herself for this statement because it was not her true language. She grew up with her mothers English and most likely spoke it at one time. It is her roots and she feels wrong saying these complicated statements that she can barely say. Speaking her mother’s English will make English speakers think she is inferior but that is her language that is her English. It does not make her any less intelligent than any proliferate English writer. When language is so complex that you cannot understand it there is no point. It is more important for your words to be meaningful even if it is simple.

The F Word

Firoozeh Dumas wrote an article called The F Word talking about her experience having an Iranian name in America. She used humor in her writing to convey her message but I do not think that it was exactly humor. She uses brutal honesty that to us may come off as comical. We laugh because we know its true but we do not really plan to do anything to fix it. In her essay Dumas mentions how in America the name Richard is some how shorted to Dick. It does not make any sense. Most American people have no idea how Richard evolved into Dick and she calls us out on this foolishness. We laugh because she is right but no one cares to find out why. I looked up how we get Dick from Richard and I found in the 12^th and 13^th century rhyming names became popular. Dick rhymes with Rick and it became very popular over time. Dick is an awfully unfortunate name because of its modern day connotations but in America it is still not as bad as Firoozeh.
Dumas later talks about how her brothers did not agree with her choice to change her name to Julie but they later became Fred and Sean. We laugh because its funny that they so drastically changed their minds about her decision that they did it themselves. But what made them change their names too. They were probably made fun of for their names as well. They saw how much easier life had become for ‘Julie’ than it was for Firoozeh. They wanted the same opportunity, acceptance, and respect as everyone else. Julie taught them that to do that all they needed was to change their names.I think that Dumas’ choice to use this brutal honesty that would seem to be comedy is extremely effective. She makes you laugh at a matter than is not funny but a sad reality in our country. We find it funny that she was called "f word" but it is extremely rude and disrespectful. It is a sad reality that ones name can take away so many opportunities. Dumas could not get a job when she used her real name but as Julie she was open to many more opportunities. It reminds me of my mother who's name is Juvenilia will use my name or my dads when ordering food and other things to avoid having to spell and pronounce it. It is sad to realize how unaccepting Americans are to anything that is foreign. This is so ironic because everyone in is an immigrant to America. America is an immensely diverse country where everyone is expected to be exactly the same.  

This I Believe

A true friend will not try to change you because they accept who you already are.  I believe that true friends allow you to discover who you are as a person. When you are surrounded by people who truly care about and accept you then you can accept yourself.  Friends allow you to thrive in you strengths and improve upon your weaknesses. These people allow you to find a safe place to be yourself.

            In middle school I surrounded myself with people who were not the best of friends. At the time I knew I was unhappy but I though that was just how it was.  I thought that no ones friends completely accepted them. I thought that no one ever felt absolutely comfortable with their friends. I did not believe it was possible for anyone to feel loved by their friends. I was confused and I had no idea what I wanted for myself. I did not know where I wanted to go to high school or what I wanted to do after. I did not know who I was or at least I could not admit it.

            Once I got to high school I meet new people. I learned that these new friends had a lot more in common with me than I realized when I had first met them. I think I sort of found part of myself in them. They were accepting, loving, and they made me feel comfortable to be myself. These people supported me and brought out the best in me.

            I am so grateful to have such amazing people in my life. My friends make me feel like I have somewhere to belong. They give me a home where I can laugh or cry. I know that they will not leave me if I am having a bad day. They let me express how I am feeling me and they always encourage me to do what makes me happy. I try my best to do the same for them in return.

            Everyone puts on masks each day in front of different people. We feel like we have to pretend a certain way to please people. Everyone needs to have friends that they can be themselves with. Friends can help you be happy with who naturally are. I am able to be myself with my friends because they are the ones who help me discover who I truly am.

Home Is Where The Heart Is

The words home and house are used almost interchangeably. A house is a building where people live, but a home is much more. A home does not have to be a building or even a location, it is simply the place where you feel safe, accepted, and loved. The reason the words are used as synonyms is that many people find a home in their family or friends whom they live in a house with. You can have more than one home and it can be with an individual or groups of people. For me home is with my friends, the people who love and accept me more than anyone else. Home is where I feel safe to be myself. I find that these songs help to describe what home means to me In Home by Gabrielle Aplin she describes home as "...not just where you lay your head. It's not just where you make your bed. As long as we're together, does it matter where we go?" In Painting Roses by Dresses they say "...if home is where the heart is then I feel pretty stupid, my heart lies in your bones." Both of these songs describe home as being with a person. Home is a safe, happy, accepting, and loving place. Home is where your heart is, home is with the ones you love and who love you back.