The Advantages and Disadvantages of Slang

Secret Weapons of Language Acquisition

Welcome, aspiring polyglot! One of the most useful tools in your belt when you start acquiring a new language is shortened language, or slang. The truth is, much of the conversation you will end up having day to day involves slang and learning what these words are and how/when to use them will set you up for success in your journey.

However, while the advantages are clear, there are also disadvantages making this a focus as you begin. It is always worth picking up, but let's discuss a couple ways to ensure those disadvantages are not too great a hindrance.

The Advantages

Before we get into the disadvantages, let's focus on all of the positive aspects that come with learning the local slang wherever you are at (or wherever you want to be). The best thing that comes with it is being able to understand portions of every familiar conversation.

Any time you are playing a sport, out for a drink, out in nature, you can use colloquial terms and slang to communicate with people even if you aren't able to communicate in complete sentences. The most important thing is that you start; even if that means only speaking 2 or 3 words at a time to get moving.