2. 外语
  3. Standard usage includes those words and expressions understood, used, and accepted by a majority of the speakers of a language

Standard usage includes those words and expressions understood, used, and accepted by a majority of the speakers of a language

admin2011-01-26  48
问题     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 language and used in informal speech or writing, but not considered acceptable 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 appropriate 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.
How is slang defined by the author?
选项 A、Words and phrases accepted by the majority for formal usage.
B、Words and phrases understood by the majority but not found in standard dictionaries.
C、Words and phrases that are understood by a restricted group of speakers.
D、Words and phrases understood by a large number of speakers but not accepted as formal us- age.
答案D
解析 第一段中作者已经定义了slang：“refers to words and expressions understood by a large number of speakers but not accepted as appropriate formal usage by the majority”。D项表述符合义意。
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