CONCEPTUAL PARADIGM OF COMPUTER SLANG IN ENGLISH

Abstract

The article examines the meaning and the essence of computer slang. The questions of genesis, definition and functions of computer slang were considered in the article. Computer slang is a kind of slang used by both professional (IT specialists) and other users of computers. Rapid development of the computer slang caused by the widespread use of computer technologies in modern society and the gradual spread among native speakers of the language recipient. The preconditions and the ways of computer slang occurrence were highlighted. The basis of computer slang was formed with the words borrowed from English, as almost all modern information and communication technologies appeared in the USA. It is detected that computer slang combines the features of professionalism (serves for communication between people of one profession), vulgarism (includes a rather crude vulgar words), jargon (includes words that have unclear and hidden meaning for people who do not use information and communication technologies) and slang (expressivly and emotionally colored vocabulary of spoken language, which is often considered as violation of the standard language). The classification of computer slang was presented. The following thematic structure of computer slang was determined: programs and their varieties, symbols, signs, actions, functions and commands, computer and its parts, system parts and devices, information units, designation and description of people connected with programming. The ways of computer slang formation were analyzed (tracing (full borrowing, part-tracing (partial borrowing), translation with using a standard vocabulary in a particular meaning, translation with using slang of the other professional groups, phonetic mimicry). The ways of computer slang translation were analyzed (transliteration, transcription, tracing, explication – descriptive translation). The place of computer slang in English was determined.