slang

For example, the inflection and tone with which a word or phrase is spoken can transport it from Standard English into the realm of slang.
             As in any language, slang reflects the experiences, beliefs and values of its speakers. It rallies people around common attitudes and creates a sense of community for all drawn in. Slang is not a dialect all its own, it is an enhancement of language in the native tongue. It adds color, style, and texture to the boring everyday usage of words. When the feeling or thought is too extreme for simple words, slang offers a way to add a verbal exclamation point that catches the listeners" attention.
             Some might argue that the proper use of speech is a better marker for maturity, as opposed to using a more informal and trendy lingo. If knowledge and wisdom are signals of inner growth, how can using such words as "was sup" and "da bomb" indicate the crossing into adulthood? Rather, wouldn't this form of speech reveal a person's immaturity and lack of development? In order to better address these questions, we must look at the context in which transitional slang is generally used. If it is spoken in formal situations such as interviews or meetings with authority figures, it can be a warning sign of a young mind that has not yet developed, but if it is used in less formal situations such as at school or in community settings, then it is appropriate and might be seen as a sign of forward thinking.
             Throughout a persons childhood there is constant encouragement to model the speech and behaviors of the "adults in charge". This is a healthy practice because children will learn volumes of skills from watching and rehearsing over a long period of time, but as a child grows into a teenager there is a strong need to claim ones own individuality outside of what their parents think. In our culture high values are placed on individuality and self-determination; we pride ourselves in being crowned "a nation of rugged individualists.