摘要

美国俚语是一种相当特殊的语言形式。作为一种交际工具，是美国英语中极富有活力的一部分，在美国现代生活中发挥着极其重要的作用。本文从社会文化角度，研究了美国俚语的三大特色，即来源的多样性、高频率的使用以及大量修辞格的运用。对美国俚语的研究，将有助于语言学习者正确理解和使用俚语，更清楚地了解美国乃至其他英语国家的语言和社会文化，达到全面深入的学习目的。

关键字：美国俚语；语言特色；社会文化

Abstract

American slang is a rather special language form. As a communication tool, American slang is the most vibrant part of American English and plays an extremely important role in American modern life. From a sociological perspective, this thesis discusses the three language features of American slang, which are diverse origins, frequent utilization and the full of rhetoric devices. The research of American slang helps the English learners better understand the language and culture of America, even of the other English-speaking countries. The research can also help the English learners achieve the purpose of thorough English learning.

Key words: American slang; language features; a sociological perspective

1. Introduction

Slang is a special language form. For a long time, the definition of slang has no unified standard. In American Heritage Dictionary, slang is: very informal and interesting language that is mainly made of derivations and rhetoric to instead of Standard English.The explanation in Oxford Advanced Learner’s English-Chinese Dictionary is: very informal words and expressions that are more common in spoken language especially used by a particular group of people, for example, children, criminals, soldiers, etc. The explanation in Cambridge Dictionary of American English is: very informal language that is used esp. in speech by particular groups of people and which sometimes includes words that are not polite.In Longman Dictionary of contemporary English, slang is: Very informal language that includes new and sometimes rude words, especially words used only by particular groups of people such as criminals, schoolchildren, or people who take drugs. Thus to slang people have two distinct attitudes. Some people think that slang has