Cynantia Rachmijati: An Analysis of the Slang E 97 AN ANALYSIS OF THE SLANG LANGUAGE USED IN THE MOVIE “JUNO” Cynantia Rachmijati STKIP Siliwangi – Bandung cynan_tia@yahoo.com ABSTRACT This research entitled “An Analysis of the Slang Language used in the movie Juno” is a descriptive analysis of how slang language is used among youngster from the movie entitled “Juno”. The objective of the research is to analyze the slang language and to see whether “Juno” can be used as teaching materials. The research method is descriptive analysis to analyze the slang languages and utterances that found from the movie. The amount of slang utterances that found in this movie are : Juno has 38 lines, Mac has 8 lines, Bren has 7 lines, Mark has 6 lines, Vanessa has 2 lines, Leah has 5 lines, Paul has 3 lines and other supporting roles has 5 lines– which makes the total of 73 slang utterances. It is concluded that “Juno” is suitable as teaching materials, especially for ESL who are interested in studying slang. Keywords : analysis, slang, language, movie A.Introduction Humans are a beautiful creature that God created. Not only God gives them instinct, but also brain and knowledge to adapt to this world. In the process of being evolved into a better human posture and forms these past years, as Charles Darwin called it “evolution” – human has the need to talk and communicate with others. Therefore in order to understand each other perfectly well with others, human needs to communicate. And thus language created. Language is thought to have originated when early hominids first started cooperating, adapting earlier systems of communication based on expressive signs to include a theory of other minds and shared intentionality. This development is thought to have coincided with an increase in brain volume. Language is processed in many different locations in the human brain, but especially in Broca‟s and Wernicke‟s areas. Humans acquire language through social interaction in early childhood, and children generally speak fluently when they are around three years old. The use of language has become deeply entrenched in human culture and, apart from being used to communicate and share information, it also has social and cultural uses, such as signifying group identity, social stratification and for social grooming and entertainment. With language evolves, and then it is impossible for human being to talk in the nicest and modest way of all time. And so they started to categorized which one is informal situation and which one is not. And thus slang language created. Slang is the use of informal words and expressions that are not considered standard in the speaker‟s dialect or language (taken from http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/1914-/language/slang.htm). Slang is often to be found in areas of the lexicon that refer to things considered taboo. It is often used to identify with one‟s peers and, although it may be common among young people, it is used by people of all ages and social groups. During this modern language, slang language keeps involving within youngster conversation and spread through many media. The television, cell phone, internet and even daily conversation are some of the media where youngster used slang language. And one media that keeps offering the mailto:cynan_tia@yahoo.com http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_mind http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intentionality http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neurolinguistics http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broca%27s_area http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wernicke%27s_area http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_acquisition http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_%28social_science%29 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_stratification http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_grooming http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entertainment http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Word http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dialect http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/1914-/language/slang.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taboo ELTIN journal, Volume 3/II, October 2015 98 newest slang language is movie. And this movie, “Juno”(2007), not only won numerous award from its story, acting and soundtrack – but also offering a different point of view from a pregnant 16 years old female, Juno. The dialogue of this movie is more than just a quirky punch liner, but something that comes from her personality. Her feelings with her loved ones, family and friends. Therefore the language in this movie we should see through it even more – in order not just to understand the language, getting familiar with it but also to have a more knowledge on what so called “slang language” among youngsters. The objectives of this research has some purposes, as follows: 1. To find out about the slang languages that used in the movie “Juno” 2. To see whether “Juno” can be used as teaching materials, especially in teaching slang language materials. B.Literature Review 1. The function of language in communication Language may refer either to the specifically human capacity for acquiring and using complex systems of communication, or to a specific instance of such a system of complex communication. The scientific study of language in any of its senses is called linguistics. The approximately 3000– 6000 languages that are spoken by humans today are the most salient examples, but natural languages can also be based on visual rather than auditive stimuli, for example in sign languages and written language. Codes and other kinds of artificially constructed communication systems such as those used for computer programming can also be called languages. A language in this sense is a system of signs for encoding and decoding information. The English word derives from Latin lingua, “language, tongue”. According to Roman Jakobson‟s model of the functions of language distinguishes six elements, or factors of communication, that are necessary for communication to occur: (1) context, (2) addresser (sender), (3) addressee (receiver), (4) contact, (5) common code and (6) message. Each factor is the focal point of a relation, or function that operates between the message and the factor. The functions are the following, in order (Louis Hebert, 2006) : (1) referential – the referential function is oriented toward the context (the dominant function in a message like ,“Water boils at 100 degrees”). (2) emotive – the emotive function is oriented toward the addresser (as in the interjections “Bah!” and “Oh!”). (3) conative – the conative function is oriented toward the addressee (imperatives and apostrophes). (4) phatic- phatic function serves to establish, prolong or discontinue communication [or confirm whether the contact is still there] (as in „Hello?‟). (5) metalingual – the metalingual function is used to establish mutual agreement on the code (for example, a definition). (6) poetic – the poetic function (e.g., „Smurf‟), puts „the focus on the message for its own sake‟. 2. Formal and informal language No living language is simply one set of words which can be used the same way in all situations. The nature of language is such that there are in infinite variety of different ways to arrange its elements. What this means is that there are many ways to say the same thing, depending on where you are, who you are talking to, and how you feel. You are all advanced enough in your study of English to realize that you do not talk to a roommate the same way you would talk to your http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communication http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linguistics http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_language http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_language http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_language http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_language http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Written_language http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructed_language http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Programming_language http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_%28linguistics%29 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Encoding http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decoding http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin Cynantia Rachmijati: An Analysis of the Slang E 99 roommate or your mother. You do not talk to a bartender the same way you would talk to a judge. You do not refuse a panhandler with the same words you would use to refuse a second helping of mashed potatoes at a formal dinner. One of the main factors which determine which words and structures are appropriate is the degree of formality of the situation in which you are using the language.(taken from http://www.bu.edu/mfeldman/Slang/). All words in English can be put in one of four categories based on Johnson (1962): 1. Standard diction is accepted, “educated” set of words used in informal or semi-formal occasion. For example, standard diction is used by nation wide news broadcaster or the reportorial column of newspaper. 2. Technical words which have a highly specific application to a particular craft or occupation. Almost every professional has special term for the equipment and processes necessary to it. For example, mathematics has its sigma, theorems and so on. 3. Formal words are those used by people of education in situation calling for prescribe behavior, so we use formal language on those occasions when we are dealing with relative, strangers, or people of worthy of courtesy and respect. In order to communicate with them, we have to choose or words very carefully and pay more attention to the traditional use of language. 4. Informal diction is the assortment of words and phrases that we use in ordinary, daily conversation with our friends and families. It is impossible if we always at the most elegant and polite speech all the time, sometimes we speak shorter, tend to “sounds” less precise and widely used and less important in literary usage. All of them are type of informal diction. Other common types of informal diction are colloquialisms, which are appropriate to ordinary speech but not to informal writing. Contractions are often considered a type of colloquialism for instance “TV” for television and “phone” for telephone. Contraction is also reason for the youngster‟s efficiency of their communication. 3. The definition and function of slang Slang is casual spoken language which differs from dialectical speech and jargon as well as formal speech. Some linguists think of slang as the sprinkles of color in a language, since slang is often unique, unusual, and sometimes startling. As a general rule, slang is not used in formal spoken language, or in writing, unless the speaker is attempting to achieve a deliberate effect. Some slang terms, however, make the jump from slang to accepted common usage, as was the case with “OK.” (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-slang.htm) And slang can be functioned as : 1) First, slang is an efficient and effective way in communicating thoughts and feelings. Through slang people can make more communication more quickly, easy and personal (Flexer, 1967) it can be shorthand way to express concept to say ,”That party was a bomb” merely saying,” It was a good party”. 2) Second, slang shared the emotional experience (Edward,1979). An example pfm ”Hell yeah, I got sick a fuckin‟ worm out o‟ his ass nagging” is more than merely saying,”Yeah I got sick and tired of his nagging all the time”. 3) Third, slang is an especially helpful indicator of personality. It directs the listener to social status in group connection and shows the feelings and attitudes of the speakers (Kahn and Illson, 1985). 4) Fourth, slang shows the group of membership and can show our social economics, geographical, national, racial, religious, educational, occupational, group interest and membership (Flexner, 1967). 5) Fifth, slang increase intimacy. It is most spoken among friends and close social peers. By using slang, the speaker and addressee will know that they are friends (Spolsky,1998). 6) Sixth, slang makes life seems little fresher and little more personal (Flexner,1969). http://www.bu.edu/mfeldman/Slang/ http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-jargon.htm http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-slang.htm ELTIN journal, Volume 3/II, October 2015 100 Slang vocabularies are particularly rich in certain domains, such as violence, crime, drugs, and sex. Slang very often involves the creation of novel meanings for existing words. It is common for such novel meanings to diverge significantly from the standard meaning. Thus, “cool” and “hot” can both mean “very good,” “impressive,” or “good-looking”. Slang terms are often known only within a clique or in-group. Other types of slang include SMS language used on mobile phones, and “chatspeak,” (e.g., “LOL”, an acronym meaning “laughing out loud” or “laugh out loud” or ROFL, “rolling on the floor laughing”), which is widely used in instant messaging on the Internet. C.Research Methodology Descriptive analysis refers to investigation which utilizes already existing data and focuses on the description of a specific constituent in order to get the clear explanation about the research object. On this term, it means, the writer try to “analyze” and “describe” the slang languages that are used in the movie “Juno”. The subject of the research is the movie “Juno”. Juno is a 2007 comedy- drama film directed by Jason Reitman and written by Diablo Cody. The film has also received both criticism and praise from members of both the pro-life and pro-choice communities regarding its treatment of abortion.Steps that the writer doing in order to gather the data through observation and document analysis. After watching the movie “Juno” to be the source of instrument and then transcribed the text in DVD into a written text in order to data easily be recapped. D. Research Findings These are the slang utterances that found from the movie : 1)Juno’s lines No Sentence Meaning Evidence 1 Geez banana, shut your friggin’ gob, okay ! Be quiet please 01:34 2 I just weight myself in Sunny D and I gotta go pronto I just drank a lot and need to go to the bathroom now 04:40 3 I’ve taken three pregnancy test and I’m like shiz up the spout I‟ve taken three pregnancy test and I‟m positively pregnant 07:33 4 That was the kind of emotion that I was searching for on the first take That was the kind of emotion that I was hoping you show earlier 08:03 5 Well, you know, I was thinking I’d just nip it in the bud before it gets worse I‟m thinking I am going to do an abortion before my pregnancy is shown 10:47 6 Jocks like him always want freaky girls – girls with horn rimmed glasses and vegan footwear – who dreams to be a librarian. Oh yeah, jocks totally eat that shit up. Athlete like him tends to like an unusual type of girls. They really do, just don‟t show it to other people. 12:13 7 I can’t copy your work. I’m kind of a deadbeat lab partner, aren’t I ? I can‟t copy your work. I‟m not a very useful lab partner, aren‟t I? 13:06 8 I’m just calling to procure a hasty abortion. It’s been 2 months and 10 days since the sex. Mind you, it’s just, like, a guesstimation I need an abortion right away. It‟s been 2 months and 10 days since it happened. I think it is just my rough estimation. Note : Juno put “guess” and 14:28 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violence http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychoactive_drug http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clique http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingroup http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMS_language http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LOL http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ROFL file:///I:\wiki\Comedy-drama file:///I:\wiki\Comedy-drama file:///I:\wiki\Jason_Reitman file:///I:\wiki\Diablo_Cody file:///I:\wiki\Pro-life file:///I:\wiki\Pro-choice file:///I:\wiki\Abortion Cynantia Rachmijati: An Analysis of the Slang E 101 No Sentence Meaning Evidence “estimation” and put it into “guesstimation” 9 Thanks a heaps coyote ugly. This cactus-gram stings even worse than your abandonment Thank you very much. This many cactus actually smell even worse than your abandonment 15:40 10 “How are you?” “You know, I’m pretty solid” You know, I‟m just fine 16:52 11 Yeeessh, they sound like a freaking cult ! They’re just like greedy little bitches Oh no, they sound like a weird community. Probably they just greedy 21:40 12 So I’m not really sure how I’m gonna spit this out Well I‟m not really sure how am I going to tell you 23:00 13 If it is any consolation, I haven’t taken a dump since Wednesday morning If it is any consolation, I haven‟t had any passing since Wednesday morning 24:02 14 Wicked pic in the Pennysaver by the way. It was a really beautiful photo you had in the Pennysaver 28:23 15 Can we just kick this old school? Can we just do things like in a traditional way? 30:28 16 Being pregnant makes me pee like seabiscuit Being pregnant makes me passing urine frequently Note : Seabiscuit is a name of a famous horse race 32:17 17 It’s Clinique Happy. Get a whiff of those sparklin’ top notes It‟s Clinique Happy. Smell this beautiful odor. 33:37 18 She’s got you on a long leash there She keeps an eye on you / She is watching you 34:10 19 What happen if you crack the neck? (to guitar) What happen if you broke the neck? 34:27 20 Nuh-uh ! Other way to say “NO” 34:45 21 You want to know how your kid’s a-cookin’. I get it. You want to know how your child is growing. I understand. 36:26 22 But maybe I could, you know, drop by later But maybe I will come by later 39:10 23 It’s amazing that there’s actually saps that cry at this It‟s amazing that there‟s actually a naïve person that would cry over this matter 40:03 24 Bren, use a dick ! I love it ! Bren, that was awesome ! I love it ! 41:20 25 Wow, what kind of swag did you score? Wow, what kind of things did you buy? Note : “swag” could means style, goodies or properties 48:18 26 You don’t think that I’m going to flake out on you? You‟re not assuming that I will broke my promises, are you? 48:50 27 They said they wouldn’t narc you out to your folks They said that they wouldn‟t tell your parents about it 52:23 28 Prom is for weenuses Prom is for those people who are 01:02:57 ELTIN journal, Volume 3/II, October 2015 102 No Sentence Meaning Evidence anyway. As soon as you’re old enough to go, it’s not so cool anymore weak (loser). As soon as you‟re old enough to go, it‟s not cool anymore 29 Your mom must be pretty stoked that you’re not taking me Your mom must be happy that you didn‟t ask me out 01:03:33 30 You just take Katrina the douche packer to prom. I’m sure you two will have, like, a real bitchin’ time Please just take Katrina the annoying one to the prom. I‟m sure you two will have a great time together 01:05:00 31 Hells, yeah ! Other way to say “Off course” 01:06:59 32 How about some tuneage? How about some music? 01:07:14 33 Dances are for nerds and squares Dances are for those weird people Note : squares referring to the amount of people 01:08:09 34 I’m not young, I’m 16. I know when someone acting like a total a-hole. I‟m not young, I‟m 16. I know when someone acting like a real jerk. Note: a-hole is short for asshole 01:10:22 35 I think I’m just gonna like shove out for a sec I think I‟m going to get out for a while 01:20:21 36 You’re golden, man You are amazing 01:23:06 37 Either I just peed in my pants or Thundercats are go ! Either I just passing urine or my water just broke! 01:24:00 38 As boyfriends go, Paulie Bleker is totally boss. He is the cheese to my macaroni For being a boyfriend, Paulie Bleeker is great. He completes me 01:29:00 2)Mac’s Lines No Sentence Meaning Evidence 1 Damn skippy, you’re not ! You don’t even remember to give L.B her breathing meds Obviously, you‟re not! You don‟t even remember to give L.B her breathing medication 25:17 2 I don’t want you to get ripped off by a couple of baby-starved wing nuts I don‟t want you being robbed by a couple of baby lovers 25:50 3 I’m not ready to be a Pop Pop I‟m not ready to be a grandparent / Grandpa 26:29 4 Hey big puffy version of June bug Hey there a bigger fatter Juno 01:17:56 5 You’re looking a little morose, honey. What’s eating you? You look a little gloom, honey. Is there something wrong? 01:18:16 6 That’s kind of messed up. That’s pretty skanky. Skivvy. Tore up from the floor up? That‟s not right. It‟s pretty weird. Real ugly. Note : “skivvy” could also be a slang for male underwear 01:19:00 7 The right person will think The right person will accept you 01:19:48 Cynantia Rachmijati: An Analysis of the Slang E 103 No Sentence Meaning Evidence that sun shines out of your ass. That’s the kind of person that’s worth sticking with the way you are. That‟s the kind of person that we should take care of 8 Your dear old D-A-D will always love you, support you, no matter what kind of pickle you’re in Your dad will always love you, support you, no matter in any problems or situation you‟re having with 01:20:05 3)Bren’s lines No Sentence Meaning Evidence 1 Do you know my nice urn? There was some blue shit in there this morning Do you know my nice urn? There was some blue stuff in there this morning 16:17 2 Somebody is getting a precious blessing from Jesus in this garbage dump of situation Somebody is getting a precious blessing from Jesus in this whole mess 25:34 3 Maybe they do a far shittier job of raising a child rather than my dumb-ass step daughter ever would Maybe they will do a far more worse job in raising a child rather than my stupid step daughter ever would 40:48 4 We both ought to stick to what we know. You think you’re so special because you can get to play picture pages up there? My 5 years old daughter can do that and she’s not the brightest bulb in the tanning bed. Why don’t you go back to the night school and learn a real trade? We should do things that we know best. You think you‟re so special just because you know ultrasonography? My 5 years old daughter can do that and she is not the smartest person. Why don‟t you back to the night school and learn something more useful? 41:06 5 You don’t know squat about the dynamics of marriage You know nothing about marriage life 51:07 6 Can we give my kid that damn spinal tap already? Can we give my daughter here her spinal block already? 01:25:02 7 You look like a new mom. Scared shitless. You look like a new mom. Terrified 01:28:21 4)Mark’s Lines No Sentence Meaning Evidence 1 Do we come off as paranoid yuppies or something? Do we look like those drunk paranoid or something? 33:26 2 He’s totally demented. We’re talking about buckets of goo He‟s really crazy. We‟re talking about a lot amounts of fake blood 45:36 3 Here’s to dovetailing interest Here‟s to figure out your liking 46:13 4 You can wait for a few more months. It’s not the baby’s going to come storming in here and demanding dessert-colored walls You can wait for a few more months. It‟s not the baby will be rushing and coming in here demanding some yellow color on his wall 55:29 ELTIN journal, Volume 3/II, October 2015 104 No Sentence Meaning Evidence 5 Well, Yuki is a real bad-ass Well, Yuki is a really strong character (tough) 01:07:06 6 I thought you’d be cool with this I thought you‟d be alright about it 01:09:02 5)Vanessa’s Lines No Sentence Meaning Evidence 1 I don’t think people knows how to feel in this situation because it’s not set in stone I don‟t think people knows how to feel in this situation because it is still uncertain 48:44 2 He’s just got cold feet. Being a guy He‟s just feeling a bit hesitant. Being a guy 01:11:44 6)Paul’s Lines No Sentence Meaning Evidence 1 She smells like soup She is not nice Note : “smells like soup” referring to physical appearance 54:37 2 You have no reason to be mad at me. You broke my heart. I should be royally ticked off at you. You know. I should be really cheesed off. You have no reason to be mad at me. You broke my heart. I should be really mad at you. I should be really upset 01:04:24 3 I think I’m pretty much set until college on the Tic-Tac front I think I have enough of Tic-tac supply until college 01:21:46 7)Leah’s lines No Sentence Meaning Evidence 1 Oh my God ! Oh shit ! Phuket Thailand ! Oh my God ! How unfortunate ! 07:58 2 You should look for them in the ads. I saw them on Pennysaver. It’s totally legit You should be looking for advertorial section on Pennysaver. It‟s legal 20:50 3 God,spermie, must you always feed? Oh God, do you need to eat that much? Note : “spermie” is short from “sperm” 52:14 4 I wish my funbags would get bigger I wish my breast would get bigger 01:01:23 5 What? Honest to blog? What? For real / seriously? Note : “Honest to blog” is adlib from “Honest to God”. 07:20 Cynantia Rachmijati: An Analysis of the Slang E 105 8)Supporting roles’ lines E. Conclusion and Suggestion After the writer has analyzed those lines, she will put forward some conclusions as follow: 1. “Juno”(2007) can be used as a teaching material – it is a great movie with many moral educations in it and the slang languages that used in the movie can be introduced to high school students since it is a good examples how to use slang in daily life. 2. The amount of slang utterances that found in this movie are : Juno has 38 lines, Mac has 8 lines, Bren has 7 lines, Mark has 6 lines, Vanessa has 2 lines, Leah has 5 lines, Paul has 3 lines and other supporting roles has 5 lines– which makes the total of 73 slang utterances 3. Slang languages are closely related to crude, rude and sexual matters therefore slang languages can only be used among close friends, relatives and acquaintances. 4. In communicating area, we are as ESL (English Second Language) at least should be getting familiar with slang languages to make it easy to communicate. People sometimes have more confident in speaking with slang (casually) rather than in formal type of speech. 5. In getting familiar with slang, one can start practice speaking with a native. But easier media such as television, movies, internet and magazines are great places to study. References Book: Cohen,Louis .(2000).Research Method. London and New York : Routledge Crystal, David. (1995). The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Louis Hébert .(2006),.The Functions of Language, in Louis Hébert. Quebec : Rimousky Pateda,Mansoer. (1987).Sosioloinguistik. Bandung : Angkasa _____(1995).Oxford Advanced Learner’s Encyclopedia Dictionary. New York : Oxford University Press. Internet: http://www.bu.edu/mfeldman/Slang/ http://www.bukisa.com/articles/19815_slang-the-pop-culture-of-language http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/1914-/language/slang.htm http://www.urbandictionary.com http://www.wikipedia.com No Sentence Meaning Evidence 1 Clerk at convenience store – Your egg is preggo You‟re pregnant 04:27 2 Clerk at convenience store – This is one doodle that can’t be undid, home skillet This is one picture that can‟t be deleted 05:43 3 A boy in the classroom – call me when you get off the rag Call me when your menstruation cycle is finished 13:40 4 Clerk at Woman Now – Please fill this and don’t skip any hairy details. We need to know about every score and every sore Please fill this form and do not leave anything behind. We need to know as much information as possible 18:52 5 Vijay – What a trip,huh? It‟s upsetting, isn‟t it? (it sucks) 38:03 http://www.bu.edu/mfeldman/Slang/ http://www.bukisa.com/articles/19815_slang-the-pop-culture-of-language http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/1914-/language/slang.htm http://www.urbandictionary.com/ http://www.wikipedia.com/