3 Languages, cultures and communities

Language reflects the groups we belong to. Traces of our class, age, gender, background, profession and pastimes can often be found in the language that we use. As a result, language plays a central role in the identities that we project to the world. In this section you will look at the functions and characteristics of slang and jargon used in different group cultures and subcultures. Every profession also has its own terminology, and you will explore the subtle boundaries between terminology and jargon. The academic world is another context where the appropriate use of language is paramount, and the final part of this section looks at some of the features of academic style.