In the vocabulary of any language, lexical strata can be distinguished. Each layer has its own characteristics and scope. By stylistic affection, you can distinguish between book and colloquial vocabulary. Spoken language includes such strata as slang, jargon, vernacular and slang . What is the difference between argo, what examples of argotisms exist in the Russian language, can be found in the article.
What is jargon, vernacular and slang
Common words include dialectisms and archaisms. These are words, expressions and constructions deviating from the literary norm, having a hint of a reduced style, sometimes familiarity and rudeness. For example: maybe, kudy, articulate, trudge, etc.
The concept of “slang” (borrowed from the English) includes words and expressions of a purely conversational orientation. Often they have a rough or comic emotional coloring. Slang words are always synonymous with common vocabulary. Slang is divided into common and professional. The latter includes vocabulary characteristic of certain social groups.
"Jargon" is a word of French origin. Jargon is formed by various social groups and classes. As a rule, this lexical layer has professional attachment, for example, there is military jargon, marine, student, gaming.
Characteristic features of jargon:
- Distortion of the morphological and phonetic appearance of the language.
- Borrowings.
- Imposing a new meaning on words already in the language.
- Attachment to a particular profession or occupation.
Examples of jargon in the Russian language:
- upgrade - improvement;
- salaga - a young sailor;
- gamer - player;
- cannon fodder;
- newspaper duck (journalistic jargon).
The difference between jargon and slang
The difference between slang and slang is that slang usually has a wider distribution and scope. In addition, slang is more often characterized by words with bright expressive coloring, for example:
- to cut - to understand;
- on the drum - it makes no difference;
- cool
- gouging, etc.
Jargonisms are less often expressed expressively and include a more professional binding of terminology.
What are argotisms in Russian? Examples of Argotisms
Having figured out what slang and jargon are, you need to figure out what argo is.
This word also comes from the French language. Argo is a kind of "secret" language. It also belongs to certain social groups, but its difference from slang and slang is that it is designed to hide the essence of the conversation from the unlit. Most often, examples of argotisms can be found in the speech of thieves, murderers, drug addicts, tramps, card cheaters and other persons with anti-social activities. This corresponds to the main purpose of communication: to hide their intentions from a potential victim or from representatives of law and order.
The following examples of argotisms in Russian can be given:
- Words borrowed from other languages: ban - station (from German); gerund - nonsense (Latin); gra - horse (from gypsy).
- Examples of argotisms formed semantically (that is, by appropriating ordinary words with an additional meaning): low - necklace, old man - drug addict with experience, merchant - thief, battlefield - gambling house, bombing - commit robbery, hawk - food, bear - fireproof cabinet, cabbage - money, a feather - a knife, getting married - being tried.
- Distorted words: barota - work, qibloko - apple.
Argo in the speech of prisoners
Of great importance is the language of argo in the speech of prison inmates. Knowledge of terminology draws a clear line between "friends" and "strangers." Thus, in places of detention, knowledge of argo can be called one of the ways of survival. Other names for prison argotisms are "fenya" or "thieves' jargon."
Examples of argotisms in prisoners' speech:
- anthracite - bread, cocaine;
- scaron - jacket;
- bachit - to watch;
- get out - kill;
- maza - intercession;
- to lead a corridor - to conceal the truth, etc.
Many jargon words and argotisms are included in the common Russian language, or at least their meanings are known to most people: grandmother, gopnik, linden, shovel, hang noodles, ksiva, nychka, partak and so on.
From the above, we can draw the following conclusions:
- The layers of colloquial vocabulary are jargon, argotism, vernacular and slang words and expressions.
- Jargon has a strict professional binding.
- Examples of argotism are most often found in the speech of criminals and lower social strata.
- Prison argo is a large lexical layer.