8. Special colloquial vocabulary

Colloquial vocabulary includes non-standard words and expressions used in everyday spoken English. These words often reflect social background, profession, or emotional attitude and differ from standard, literary language. Linguists such as I.R. Galperin and Eric Partridge identify several main types: slang, jargon, professionalisms, dialect words, vulgarisms, and colloquial coinages.

1. Slang Slang is an informal, expressive vocabulary used mostly in speech. It is creative, emotional, and often short-lived. Examples include rot (‘nonsense’), breadbasket (‘stomach’), or the cat’s pyjamas (‘the best’). Slang can come from many social groups, such as military or youth, and some slang words eventually enter standard English (e.g. kid for ‘child’).

2. Jargon Jargon refers to words used within a particular social or professional group to maintain secrecy or group identity. For example, grease (‘money’) or lexer (a law student). Some jargons, like that of thieves or jazz musicians, are hard for outsiders to understand. Over time, some jargon words enter mainstream language (fan, bluff).

3. Professionalisms These are words used in specific trades or professions. They name tools or actions and are often based on metaphor, e.g. tin fish (submarine), bull and bear (in the stock market). Unlike scientific terms, professionalisms are more informal and used both at work and in casual speech.

4. Dialectal Words Dialect words are local expressions used in certain regions. They reflect geographical origin and are often used in fiction to create local color, for example lad, lass, wee (small), or zee instead of see. Most dialect words do not spread beyond their area.

5. Vulgarisms These include swear words and obscene expressions, often used to express anger or strong emotion. They are not acceptable in formal speech and appear only in dialogue in fiction. Words like damn or bloody are examples of mild vulgarisms.

6. Colloquial Coinages These are newly invented, informal words or meanings used in everyday language. For example, you are the limit means ‘you are unbearable’. Some coinages disappear quickly; others become part of the language. The word sophisticated, for instance, changed from meaning ‘corrupt’ to ‘cultured’ or ‘technically advanced’.

Colloquial vocabulary is rich and dynamic. It reflects people’s social roles, professions, regions, and emotions. Although these words often start as non-standard, many become widely accepted and even enter literary or official use. Understanding these layers helps us see how language changes and how people use it in real life.

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1. Drama and emotive prose have a number of similarities and differences. How They Are Similar

1. They Both Show Emotions Drama and emotive prose try to make the audience or reader feel something. For example:

   • In the play A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, the characters’ arguments and sadness are very emotional.

   • In the novel To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf, the writer uses poetic language to show how characters feel inside.

2. They Both Have Deep Characters Both forms often focus on people who have strong feelings, personal struggles, and emotional growth.

3. They Talk About Life Themes like love, family, pain, and identity are common in both drama and emotive prose.