Presentation on slang, jargon & tabbo words used in Bangla language

1. Subtitle
TITLE LAYOUT

2. A very welcome to presentation
on
Slang, Jargon and Taboo words used
in Bangla Language
Adviser: Md. Mukibuzzaman Khan
Lecturer, department of MA in ELT,
Eastern University
Presenter: Md. Ziaul Islam
ID:

3. OVERVIEW

4. Slang:
The term slang denotes the use of informal words or expressions that are not
considered standard in the speaker’s language and which are mostly used in informal
situations and easily identified. Slang is the identification mark of ones social
environment as well. Generally the use of slang does not depend on age but the
people in a group that are familiar with it like teenagers, youth or among the people
of the same ages . Sometimes it is usually taboo when speaking to people of higher
social status.
For examples:

5. Slangs Literal meaning Intended meaning
Boinga (বইংজ্ঞা) Vagabond (ভাদাইম্মা) Alien
Aabe (আবেব) Meaninglessly calling
someone
Lovechild
Home craft (কুটিটির
িশিল্প)
Household arts (as
cooking, weaving)
Private tuition.

6. Slang words with their meanings

Slangs Literal
meaning
Intended
meaning
Origin New words Code
Mixing
Comments
Jotil,
kothin
Something
complex or
difficult to
solve
To describe
the extreme
good of
anything,
Bangla
josh,
chorom,
jhakkas
Again to
describe the
goodness of
anything
Jhakkas is
being
transformed
into
"jhakkus"

Fatafati To describe
extreme
action of
fighting
To say
something
beautiful or
wonderful
Bangla
Abar jigai Asking
something
again
To ensure
something
Hindi (abar+jigai=
Abarjigai)
becomes
Abar Jigs
(with
English
suffix "S")

Kahini story Interesting
information
or news
Hindi
Mama Mothers
brother
To address
peer group
Bangla
Shala Brother in
law
To address
peer group
Bangla
Dude,
buddy
Friend To address
peer group
English
Purai
pangkha
Pura means
"Fully",
Pangkha
means
"Wings"
Someone who
is happy
Bangla Quite new
in use

Khaise Associate
with eating
Being
surprised by
something
Bangla
Fao Free things Stupid talks
or thoughts
Bangla
Very
popular
among
youth

7. Jargon:
Jargon is a term that is used to describe a set of words that have a specific meaning in a
specific context within a particular community. Jargon, the terminology of a science,
technology, art, profession, trade, or craft. The term has also come to mean the “officialese”
of government. (Jargon is originally an Old French word meaning “warbling of birds.”)
Examples:
The word ‘hen’ generally means a domestic animal but the criminals used as victim sign.
Similarly, ‘dal’ or pea is a daily necessary item but the drug addicted person(s) use it as
narcotic/intoxicant. The word ‘figure’ means image used by the biology student but math
students used it as amount. ‘Mamma’ (মাম্মা), what’s up? Generally this type of word
commonly used among the teen agers.

8. Taboos:
Taboos are those words and phrases which some people find shocking or offensive and
are generally considered inappropriate in certain contexts. They are often used in
situations full of emotion such as in an argument, making love, playing sport, in pain or
when one is under a lot of stress. Taboos vary from society to society depending on
beliefs, ethics and cultural distinctions. Labov (1972) said taboo words are mostly
found in adolescent peer groups in the age range of 9 to 18 years. Taboo languages can
also be referred as vernacular languages or non-official languages.

Examples:
Calling a healthy person as an ‘ass’ (গাঁাধা) or retard (প্র্িতিবন্ধী), calling a Bangladeshi
citizen as indigenous (আদিদিবাসী), war-criminal (যুদি্ধাপ্রাধী/রাজাকার); calling a person as
satan (শয়তিান).

9. RESEARCH DESIGN

10. Participants
In this research study, the participants were
The student of Dhaka City College (Bangla Medium) and Bir
Shreshtha Noor Mohammad Public College (English Version),
Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Chosen by convenience sampling
1 male & 1 female

11. Instrument
oInterviewing
oTime- 6 minutes
oDate- November 28, 2014

12. Background of interviewing
The purpose of this study was to understand why the youths expose slang, jargon and taboo
words in their daily life? Are they taking this new style as their sweet will? How do they feel
while speaking? Do they face difficulties from others while exposing? And what are the
sources of these words and whom with they generally share them?

13. Questions to participants
Q1 (1
st
participant Bangla Medium): Are you familiar with the slang and taboo words that are
usually used by our youths?
Ans. Yes. I am aware of this words and I personally use them.
Q2 (2
nd
participant English Version): When do you use slang words?
Ans. In most cases, I use them with my friends in informal situations like outside of the class, get
togethering, outing and so on.
Q3 (1
st
participant Bangla Medium): Do you think youths are adopting these words consciously or
unconsciously?
Ans. I think majority of the youths are adopting them consciously.

14. Q4 (2
nd
participant English Version ):Why do you think it is important to follow any
particular trend?
Ans. I think that it shows ones smartness and it is good to change style with the current
popular trend. I want to cope up with the changing environment and want to present myself
with a new look as well as to catches others' attention.
Q5 (1
st
participant Bangla Medium): Do you think this can replace our existing standard
spoken Bangla?
Ans. I think it can definitely replace our own standard of spoken language. This style is like a
guest appearance and can change our real standard of spoken Bangla anyway.
Q6 (2
nd
participant English Version): Have you ever been used these words outside of you peer
group?
Ans. Generally, I use them within my community but sometimes in the cinema hall.

15. Q7 (1
st
participant Bangla Medium): What are the sources of the new words or style ?
Ans. I generally picked up new words and speaking style from my friends, neighbors, FM
Radio, satellite TV , social media and so on.
Q8 (2
nd
participant English Version): What do you think about the notion that the speakers of
this style represent certain social groups like snob, rich kids etc.
Ans. It may be true but I am agreed to some extent on this point of view.

16. Findings
There were 8 questions in the questionnaire that were given to the students
of Bangla Medium and English Version. The responses of the students were
positive. Throughout the interactions with the students of different
backgrounds, I came to learn that they are absorbing the slang, jargon and
taboo words consciously in most cases and use them inside their
community. They said it is an opportunity to expose oneself to others by
these type of verbal means and these verbal means are carried out by their
friends, neighbors, Radio, TV, social media and many forth. Though they are
criticized; they love to use them.

18. Conclusion

19. It can be observed from the findings that a great variety has been
noticed in speech style among the Bangladeshi youths, nowadays.
Throughout the research; it’s easy to find out that why the youths use
slang, jargon and taboo words in their daily conversation. The findings
show that the young generation feels proud speaking the style by which
they portrait their new image in the society. They also admit that this new
style of speaking is spreading in such a way that our very own style of
speaking is somehow losing its charm.

20. Limitations of the Study
oVery few of studies previously conducted in the field of Slang, Jargon
and Taboo words used in Bangla language.
oThe research language was mixed.
oThe participants were uneasy while speaking.
oInterview, therefore, findings may not be generalized to other
languages.

21. Works Cited

Bourdieu, P. (1991). Language and symbolic power. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Das Subrata. Slang vocabulary used by the youth.

Hammink, J. E. A. (2000). “Comparison of the code switching behavior and
knowledge of adult and children.” Retrieved from

http://hamminkj.tripod.com/babel/CS_paper.htm.
Basu, B. L. (2009). Attitudes and resistance to language variation and change: The case
of

‘Banglish’ on FM radio in Bangladesh. ( M.A. Dissertation). Institute of

Education, University of London, UK.
http://www.slideshare.net/search/slideshow?searchfrom=header&q=slang
(Accessed: November 29, 2014)
Labov, W. (1990). Language and social context. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books.

22. I appreciate your question