MODELS OF SLANG AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH STANDARD ENGLISH: FROM DEVIATION TO MULTIMODALITY

This article explores the relationship between slang and the standard literary language through three key theoretical models. The Binary Opposition model views slang as a deviation from the linguistic norm, reflecting prescriptive traditions of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Complementarity and Continuum model presents slang as a functional, context-dependent register, emphasizing its communicative and social roles in contrast with the standard. The Pluralist or Multimodal model situates slang within a network of coexisting varieties, highlighting its adaptability, creativity, and cultural significance in globalized and digital societies. By comparing these models, the study demonstrates the evolution of scholarly perspectives on slang, from marginalization to recognition of its central role in language change and identity construction.