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California slang are words and phrases used around the West Coast. The slang heard in California can be separated into three different sections: Northern California, The Bay, and Southern California. Though some of the three groups' slang are similar, they also have very different ways to say something when translated.

Study of Slang

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Many people think slang makes people sound uneducated and builds barriers between different groups, adults, and teens, but that is not always true (Johnson). Many linguists have studied slang and have come to the conclusion that slang actually brings a group of people together (Carmichael). Groups use their slang as their own "secret" language. ("Slang Makes Language Unique"). They use slang as a way to show unification of group recognition (Morgan).

Linguists who have studied slang also conclude that slang used by teens help them develop socially. It is a process they go through to discover themselves. Teens develop their slang terms from their peers and the pressures to be independent. A teacher, Mr. Dean, said that he sees slang as a language on a certain level because it's a way teens communicate with each other, which is the real purpose of language (Dean). Teens also have some people impressed by their creativity in inventing words. They use everything around them as influences. The slang teens use also gives them a broad range of vocabulary to show thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

Slang Influences

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Music and television shows are listened to frequently by most people, so it doesn't come as a surprise when a hit song or popular cartoon show saying is heard in everyday conversations. Many words that are now used as slang come from the songs and shows people watch. Some slang words that have been influenced by rap songs are: "grillz," "stunna shades," "shorty," "baller," and more. Slang is also strongly influenced by popular T.V shows. Slang words that can be traced back to T.V shows are "dee dee dee" and "git-R-done." People are constantly listening to the media that they start using the words they hear from it in their vocabulary ("Slang Dictionary"). Since new songs and T.V shows are constantly coming out, slang words and phrases are also continuously changing. So something heard or said right now might be the slang, but tomorrow's new Snoop Dogg song can quickly make a difference ("Urban Dictionary").

Northern California Slang

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The slang in California differs as do the people living in California, but certain slang terms can help you identify which part of California a person is from. The word "hella," is a slang word determined as California slang, but it is usually used by California's Northerners. It still can be heard in other parts of California, yet it is most commonly used by people in the North of California and not used as much in the other areas. Also the slang used in this particular area has been influenced by the Spanish language because of the population of Hispanics. Slang related and mixed with Spanish words can mainly be heard by the "gangsters." Their slang is made up of shortened Spanish words and consists of slang words to talk about drugs, sex, and violence. (Walker) They also have slang words to insult opposing gangs ("Heard 'em Say?").

The Bay slang

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The Bay slang, or as its people like to call it, The Yay area, consists of words like: hyphy, crunk, thizzle, and many other words. ("Vox slang") The Bay Area's slang can be said to have originated from hit rap songs and "Hyphy" music. The "Hyphy" Movement plays a big roll in its listeners slang. With its Hyphy artists having their hometowns in the area, music by "E-40" and "Keak da Sneak" have a huge influence on the way the people in the Bay Area talk. (Bay Area)

Southern California Slang

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Southern California with its beaches and surfers have a whole different slang than the rest of California. Its slang has more words to explain the size of a wave, a cool trick, and other things related to surfing. Some words that you will hear from its surfers are "gnarly," "dude," and "grinders." ("Surfer Slang") Southern California's slang can be said to be "Surf talk." (Slangman) That being said, not all Southern Californians are surfers and use these certain words to describe an impressive wave or a "gnarly" move, but it can be commonly heard when around Southern California's majority of surfers in the area. The rest of the people in the area just use the slang to mean "cool."

References

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  • Bay Area Hip Hop Dictionary. 14 April 2004. Bay Area Dictionary. 30 June 2008.

<http://www.riceplate.com/rap/rap.php>

  • Dean, R. Dennis. “Slang is Language too” The English Journal Vol. 51. National Council of Teachers on English. May 1962. 323-326. <http://www.jstor.org/pss/810008>
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