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TOEFL Directory > TOEFL writing > 10 Types of Speech
10 Types of Speech
Standard usage includes those words and expressions understood, used,
and accepted by a majority of the speakers of a language in any
situation regardless of the level of formality. As such, these words and
expressions are well defined and listed in standard dictionaries.
Colloquialisms, on the other hand, are familiar words and idioms that
are understood by almost all speakers of a language and used in informal
speech or writing, but not considered appropriate for more formal
situations. Almost all idiomatic expressions are colloquial language.
Slang, however, refers to words and expressions understood by a large
number of speakers but not accepted as good, formal usage by the
majority. Colloquial expressions and even slang may be found in standard
dictionaries but will be so identified. Both colloquial usage and slang
are more common in speech than in writing.
Colloquial speech often passes into standard speech. Some slang also
passes into standard speech, but other slang expressions enjoy momentary
popularity followed by obscurity. In some cases, the majority never
accepts certain slang phrases but nevertheless retains them in their
collective memories. Every generation seems to require its own set of
words to describe familiar objects and events. It has been pointed out
by a number of linguists that three cultural conditions are necessary
for the creation of a large body of slang expressions. First, the
introduction and acceptance of new objects and situations in the
society; second, a diverse population with a large number of subgroups;
third, association among the subgroups and the majority population.
Finally, it is worth noting that the terms "standard" "colloquial"
and "slang" exist only as abstract labels for scholars who study
language. Only a tiny number of the speakers of any language will be
aware that they are using colloquial or slang expressions. Most speakers
of English will, during appropriate situations, select and use all three
types of expressions.
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