ABSTRACT
This study is aimed mainly at discovering the
sociolinguistic factors motivating the use of slang and their meaning among
Nigerian musicians as a social group. All other expositions and considerations are
subordinate to the above set goals.
This paper has been able to conclude that slang has
been in existence for a long time and it is the informal language of musicians
which could remain from generations to generations. It could build on its
register, add new forms and replacing old forms with new ones. Certain Standard
English word denote certain interpretations could have their meaning altered
when used as slangs, they become connotation rather than denotation.
Finally, slang can be fun to listen to. Musicians
are to be admired for their creative tendencies towards conjuring new slang
expression. The speaker is bestowed upon a linguistic capability, he is caught
in the spell, the playfulness and fun-filling adventure of using slang.
INTRODUCTION
The language we use forms an important part of our
sense of who we are i.e. our identity. This paper outlines the relationship
between language, society and the influence of music slangs. Every social
organization requires some means through which members can communicate with one
another. It is through these meanings that they could transfer set of meanings
to achieve some degree of mutual understanding. They also enable people to
develop consensus (a shared set of meanings) and it is only when such consensus
exists that people are able to act together, as it is only then that they can
make fairly accurate prediction about each other’s behaviour. In other words,
social interaction among human groups may be impossible without such important
means of communication.
THE CONCEPT OF SOCIOLINGUISTICS
The study of sociolinguistics variations has its
root in dialectology, emerging in the 1960s partly as a result of inadequate
methods in earlier approaches to the study of dialect, and partly as a reaction
to Chomsky’s generative programme.
Sociolinguistics is the study of the relationship between language and
society. Sociolinguistics can help us to understand why we speak differently in
various social contexts, and help uncover the social relationships in a
community
According to William Labov (1972),
‘’ sociolinguistics is the study of language in its
social context i.e, the study of correlations between linguistics variables and
non-linguistic variables by social class/ speakers like age, sex, etc’’.
This definition limits sociolinguistics to socio
context which presupposes that language is not homogenous (not uniform) but
heterogeneous. Variation becomes important here. Fishman refers to this as micro
sociolinguistics which deals with variation in language. It considers aspect
like speech variation in terms of idiolect, dialect, and diglossia. This means
micro sociolinguistics takes speech variation as its focus and builds language
variation in its socio context.
According to Hudson (1996),
‘’Sociolinguistics is the study of language in
relation to the society’’.
This definition identifies language in relation to
the society. This is a wide aspect of sociolinguistics which fishman calls
macros sociolinguistic which looks at wider issues in sociolinguistics like
bilingualism, multilingualism, language attitude, language policy, language
medication, language and politics, etc.
Wardhaugh (2010) explanation of sociolinguistics
suggests that:
‘’It is the study of the relationship between
language and society or the various functions of language in the society. A
society is viewed as any group of people drawn together for certain
purpose(s)’’.
DEFINITIONS
OF LANGUGE
Language is the process or set of processes used to
ensure there is agreement between the sender and receiver for meanings assigned
to the symbols and the schema for combining them used for each communication.
The symbols themselves, although typically not the accompanying non-verbal
activity, are usually described as words. The schema for combining them is
usually described as a grammar.
Language is also the method of human communication, either spoken or
written, consisting of the use of words in structured and conventional way. It
is a system of communication used by particular country or community.
According to Noam Chomsky, language serves essentially for the
expression of thought. He said that knowing a language means being able to
produce an infinite number of sentences never spoken before and to understand
sentences never heard before. Chomsky refers to this ability as the ‘’creative
aspect’’ of language.
Hall
(1968:158) states that language is ‘’the institution whereby human communicate
and interact with each other by means of habitually used oral-auditory
arbitrary symbols’’.
Michael
Halliday, he describes language as a semiotic system, ‘’not in the sense of a
system of signs, but a systemic resource for meaning’’. For Halliday, language
is a ‘’meaning potential’’; by extension, he defines linguistics as the study
of ‘’how people exchange meanings by ‘’languaging’’.
DEFINITION
OF A SOCIETY
A society is a group of people working and living
together, who by their complementary activities provide at the same time for
the survival of the group and the satisfaction of the material and
psychological needs of each individual. The whole life of an individual is
normally lived within its society.
It is
also an organized group of persons associated together for religious,
benevolent, cultural, scientific, political, patriotic, or other
purposes.(Dictionary.com)
Society is also the situation of being in the
company of other people. It is also made up of a large group of people who live
together in a organized way.
THE
CONCEPT OF MUSIC
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence.
The common elements of music are; pitch (which governs the melody and harmony),
rhythm, (and its associated concepts tempo, meter, and articulation), dynamics,
and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture. The word derives from Greek mousike; ‘’art of muses’’.
Music is
composed and performed for many purposes, ranging from aesthetics pleasure,
religious or ceremonial purposes, or as an entertainment product for the market
place. As the poet and essayist Geoffrey O’Brien notes, mix tapes are an art form
in themselves, a ‘’self-portrait, a gesture of friendship, prescription for an
ideal party…an environment consisting solely of what is most ardently loved’’.
Amateur musician compose and perform music for their own pleasure, and derive
their income elsewhere. Professional musicians are employed by a range of
institutions and organizations, including armed forces, churches and
synagogues, symphony orchestras, broadcasting or film production companies, and
music schools. Professional musicians sometimes work as a freelancers, seeking
contracts and engagements in a variety of settings.
Music comes
in various types and styles ranging from traditional rock music to world pop,
easy listening and bluegrass. Many genres have a rich history and geographical
significance, a cult following or music roots that go far beyond the 20th
century. These various forms of music include:
·
Blues
·
Children music
·
Classical
·
Country
·
Hip-hop/Rap
·
Inspirational-Christian/gospel
·
J-pop
·
Jazz
·
Latin
·
Karaoke
·
K-pop
·
Pop
·
New Age
·
Opera
·
R&B/Soul
·
Reggae
·
Rock
ASPECT OF THE MUSIC-LANGUAGE RELATIONSHIP
Music and language are related in
so many ways that it is necessary to categorize some of those relationships.
Over the years, there have been seemingly never-ending debate of whether music
itself is a language. The belief that music possesses, in some measure,
characteristics of language leads people to apply linguistic theories to the
understanding of music. These include semiotic analyses, informational theory,
theories of generative grammar, and other diverse beliefs or especially
invented theories of what is being expressed and how. This category could thus
be called ‘’music as language’’.
The second category is ‘’talking
about music’’. Regardless of whether music actually is a language, our
experience of music is evidently so subjective as to cause people not to be
satisfied that their perception of it is shared by others. This has led to the
practisce of attempting to ‘’translate’’ music into words or to ‘’describe’’
musical phenomena in words, or to ‘’explain’’ the causes of musical phenomena.
The sheer quantity of language expended about music is enormous and includes
writings and lectures on music, history, ‘’appreciation’’, music ‘’theory’’,
music criticism, description of musical phenomena (from both scientific and
experiential point of view), and systems and methods of creating music. These
approaches may include the linguistic theories of the first category, as well
as virtually any other aspect of the culture in which the music occurs:
literary references; anecdotes about the lives and thoughts of composers,
performers and performances.
The third category is composed
of a large number of ‘’specialized music languages’’. These are invented
descriptive or explanatory (monthly written) languages, specially designed for
the discussion of music, as distinguished from everyday spoken language. The
best known and probably most widely acknowledged specialized music language is
western music (five-line staff) notation. Myriad others can be found in U.S.
alone, ranging from guitar tablature to computer-readable protocols.
MUSIC AS A LANGUAGE
The oft-quoted poetical statement that ‘’music
is the universal language of mankind’’ is indicative of the communicative
quality of music, and at the same time is indicative of the elusive and
ambiguous nature of whatever it is that music communicates. Is music a
universal language? Is it a language at all?
Because music is a stimulus to our
sense of hearing, it is clear that music can, and inevitably does, convey
information. What is the nature of that information? What does it express?
These questions have long been-and continue to be-the source of considerable
debate.
THE USE OF SLANG IN MUSIC
Meaning
of slang:
Slang consists of lexicons of
non-standard words and phrases in a given language. Use of these words and
phrases is typically associated with the subversion of a standard variety such
as standard language and is likely to be interpreted by listeners as implying
particular attitudes on the part of the speaker. In some contexts a speaker’s
selection of slang words or phrases may convey prestige, indicating group
members from those who are not a part of the group.
According to Michael Adams,
‘’slang is a liminal language,
it is often impossible to tell, even in context which interests and motives it
serves. Slang is on the edge. Slang dictionaries, collecting thousands of
slangs entries, offer a broad, empirical window into the motivating forces
behind slangs’’.
MUSIC
SLANGS
Over the years, Nigerian music
artist and those all over the world have generated music slangs which has
become a non-formal language terms among its users. These slangs have come to
‘’ BAE’’
Perhaps the biggest slang term of
the year was ‘’bae’’, which is a shortened of ‘’babe’’ and also an acronym for
‘’before anyone else’’. The world is used as a term of endearment for a
significant other, or sometimes about food or things you just really like.
Pharrell made use of the popular word in his song ‘’Come Get It Bae’’.
‘’SHADE’’
Shade is a term that has been popular in the drag community for years,
but became popular in the mainstream in 2014. To throw shade is to subtly
insult somebody. Saying something negative in a pleasant way, like ‘’I love how
you just don’t care what you look like’’, would be considered shade.
‘’TURNT’’
Getting turnt or turning up became the new way of saying that you were
in full party mode, which usually meant you were drinking large amounts of
alcohol.
‘’ YAS’’
Originating from a viral video of an enthusiastic fan screaming at Lady
Gaga about how good she looked, ‘yas’’ and its variations that include anywhere
from one to a million more as and ss, became the new exclamation of love in
2014. Its like saying ‘’yes’’, but meaning so so much more than that just
‘’yes’’.
‘’ BYE FELICIA’’
Although this phrases is originated from a 1995 movie called ‘’Friday’’,
it has become widely used both in 2013 and 2014. Basically, the phrases is used
as an act of disrespect whenever somebody that you don’t care about leaves the
room.
‘’SWERVE’’
Used
extensively in Kanye west’s ‘’mercy’’, ‘’swerve’’ can take on a variety of
meanings. Most often, it is used to call someone on a lie, or to tell someone
to go away.
‘’CAN’T EVEN’’
This phrase was the bane of so many people’s lives in 2014. Often paired
with a ‘’literally’’, 2014 found so many people who got so excited, angry, sad,
or overcome by any other emotion that they ‘’couldn’t even’’. What they really
‘’can’t even’’ do is finish a sentence.
‘’SLAY’’
Similar to ‘’yas’’, ‘’slay’’ became a term used often in fashion
(although definitely not exclusively) to describe a person who is looking or
doing something that is amazing. When you are slaying. It means that you are at
the top of your game.
‘’DOE’’
Doe doesn’t mean a female deer any more. ‘’doe’’ was used as a
replacement for ‘’though’’, following the trend to replace ‘’th’’ sounds with
‘’d’’ sounds. It is often used at the end of sentence fragment to express that
the person was impressed by something, such as ‘’that finale, doe’’.
‘’FLEEK’’
A vine user used this word when she said
her eyebrow were ‘’on fleek’’. Basically, something being on fleek means that
it is looking perfect.
‘’TBT’’
This slang started trending as a ‘’hashtag’’ became a linguistic phenomenon
when nostalgia-loving millennial made every day Throwback Thursday. Every
Thursday, instagram, Facebook, and twitter flood with old photos, but more than
that, people use the phrase ‘’TBT’’ in everyday conversation to recall past
events, such as ‘’TBT to that time we went on road trip’’.
‘’SHIP’’
This is not a floating vessel in
this sense, but rather a shortened and verified form of ‘’relationship’’. As
internet connection grow, so do fandoms of popular shows, allowing these super
fans to debate favourite characters and moments. The imagination of these fans
often leads to ‘’shipping’’, or imagining two characters being in a
relationship that aren’t in one canonically.
Similarly, Nigerian musicians have also become proponents of some slags
which has become viral in the society. These slangs are used by both young and
old in an informal setting. It has become a means of communication and has
given the users a sense of belonging. These include:
‘’AKPAKO’’
This means anything that can be used to
hit someone, it also relatively means to tell a huge lie.
Usage: I go knack you ‘’akpako’’ for head
No dey tell me akpako jare
‘’BADDO’’
Baddo means someone who is extremely good at doing good/bad things.
Popular hip-hop singer refers to himself as Baddo and this slang has been
adopted in the society to refer to someone who does good/ bad.
Usage: That guy na baddo for football
‘’SNEH’’
‘’Sneh’’ is an unusual word not found in the regular parlance of most
Nigerians. This slang has become viral.
‘’JONZE’’
This means excessive feeling of
one’s self or actions. This slang is relatively used to describe when someone
is high on alcohol or any other type of substance and doesn’t have proper
control of his/ her senses.
Usage: I ‘’jonze’’ after drinking five
bottles of moet
‘’KOKO/KOKOLETTE’’
‘’Koko’’ in yoruba means the important or main thing. While
‘’kokolette’’ means a very solid young woman who is well endowed in all the
right proportions.
‘’SMELLOS’’
‘’Smellos’’ is usually used to define someone
below one’s level. This term was made popular by olamide and wizkid in their
teamed u work on a song. It is often used as a ‘’diss’’ on someone one is
having issue with.
Usage: we no dey the same category na, him be ‘’smellos’’.
‘’NO
SHAKING’’
This slang was popularized by 2face Idibia. ‘’No shaking’’ means there
is no reason to panic or be worried at all. This term has gone viral ever since
it was introduced.
Usage: no shaking, nothing go happen
‘’ALOBAM’’
Indigenous rapper, phyno popularized the
word ‘’Alobam’’. This is an igbo phrase and is coined from the word ‘’armed
robber’’. Figuratively, it denotes someone you can go the extra mile with, your
ride or die. It is like a code of conduct for people who don’t snitch on each
other. It is a street slang for your best friend who would have your back at
all times.
‘’SHORO NIYEN’’
‘’Shoro niyen’’ literally means ‘’is
that talk’’ in yoruba and is fondly used to reply when someone says something
unacceptable or out of place. This slang has been used as a form of ‘’teasing’’.
Usage: ‘’Shoro niyen’’, o ya mi le nu.
‘’SHOKI’’
The slang ‘’shoki’’ became a craze in Nigeria when lil kesh introduced
the song and the shoki dance style as well.
‘’NA
GOD WIN’’
Not really a slang but the phrase ‘’ Na
God win’’ is one of the most used phrase in Nigeria so far this year. It means
that God wins in all things. The song ‘’God Win’’ by Korede Bello popularized
this slang and the song itself has been named one of the biggest songs of 2015.
‘’TURN
UP’’
Olamide popularized the slang ‘’Turn Up’’
with the introduction of it in his single titled the same phrase. ‘’TURN
UP’’ means to show up at a party or
where a celebration is meant to take place.
‘’NO
LONG TIN’’
This slang is used to say everything will be fine, like if somebody has
a roblem and you want the person to be fine or feel better about the situation.
This slang has become viral and it has been used to console people on issues
tormenting them.
‘’DOROBUCCI’’
‘’Dorobucci’’ is often used for an individual who is awesome, amazing,
rich, swagged-out, sexy and buff. According to the proponents of this slang,
any word that qualifies greatness, that is ‘’Dorobucci.
Usage: the lady is ‘’Dorobucci’’
‘’UKWU’’
This slang has been used to refer to any lady with a big butt. It is a
form of an exclamatory slang that expresses a shock over the massiveness of
such ‘’butt’’. This slang is often used among the male clique when making
reference to a lady’s buttock.
Usage: the babe get ‘’ukwu’’ no be small.
Other identified slangs in Nigerian music
include:
‘’te so ju e’’
‘’gbenu si’’
‘’igboro ti daru’’
‘’ori e fokasibe’’
‘’woju o’’
‘’double wahala’’
‘’ole nu’’
‘’Dayan mo’’
RESEARCH QUESTION
The advent of slangs used in music
has an influence on the society at large. Has this been a blessing or a curse?
A field research was carried out on
the above question and different people gave their opinions on this issue. Some
see it as a blessing because it gives a sense of belonging to the user while
some see it as a curse because those who use it are regarded as irresponsible.
Below are the opinions gathered at the field of research:
A:
Music slang is a curse in the society. This is because one find it very
hard to decipher what the discourse is all about. Besides, it doesn’t portray
an individual well as those who use the term are regarded as irresponsible.
B: A curse in the sense that both young and
old have become addicted to the term and one find it hard to get a clear picture
of the message been communicated.
C: ‘’A crazy curse’’. This is because a lot of
people use this slang without communicating a genuine meaning. Their utterances
speaks more of a lout. It does not command respect in the society and on the
part of the individual using it. It paints a picture of an immoral individual
and it does not embrace our culture.
D:
A blessing to the society. This is because the world is a dynamic world
and human must also experience the dynamism of it. The advent of music slangs
is a blessing to the society as a means of social interaction.
E: A blessing to the society. This
is because everyman has his own idiosyncrasy; a particular way of reasoning and
viewing things. Music slang is a means of making people participate in the
society they belong.
F: Music slang is a blessing
because it enhances an active participation among our peers. It enables the
users to interact freely among their peers.
G: Every field of human endeavour
have their separate ways of interacting and communicating. Music slangs does
not necessarily paints one as a bad individual. It gives one a sense of
belonging and also makes one participate actively in the society.
CONCLUSION
Sociolinguistics is concern with
the various functions which language performs in the society. Sociolinguistics
is also concern with identifying the social functions of language and how it is
used to convey social meaning; i.e. it is interested in functional variation.
Speaking is a social act which can be communicating, instructing, wishing,
advising, informing, warning, alerting, etc.
This paper has observed the relationship
between language, society and music slang. It has been observed that musicians
use slangs as an informal way of communication. The word they use is unsuitable
in a formal context, though helps the users to participate actively in the
society they belong to. The music slangs used by musicians has been employed to
serve as a social language among its users.
REFERENCES
www.brainjet.com/pop-culture/slangs
and their meaning.
Wikipedia.com.
Google.com.
Ebooks.cambridge.org/series_landing.jsf.
Chris Dobrian(2002), Music and Language.
Rice-Johnston, W.(2008). Language: A Definition
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