A Dictionary of French-Chinese Slang

Author: Wu Shengli (Editor) / Yang Rongjia (Translator)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1997-05-01
Features: Slang is a rich, vibrant, and unconventional form of language used to express new things or give new meanings to old ones. Slang originates from the specialized language of various subcultural groups, also known as lower-class groups, including occupational groups and other types of groups such as impoverished communities, gangster organizations, prostitution, gambling, military, police, education, sports, and their activities. Most subcultural groups prefer to derive new meanings from common language. Slang often employs metaphor, simile, metonymy, folk terms, proverbs, loanwords, abbreviations, as well as changes in sound, expansion, contraction, and clipping of meaning to achieve transformation and redefinition. Slang spreads rapidly through the media, and its popularity is the result of social forces rather than individual actions. Slang that was once despised has now found a place in newspapers, magazines, and literary works. Traces of it can also be found in the works of authors like Balzac and Hugo. The purpose of this book is to provide readers with a reference tool to solve difficulties in reading and translation.