Examples of Informal Language in Daily Conversations
Have you ever noticed that the way people speak in their day-to-day lives can be vastly different from how they communicate in a professional setting? Informal language is often used to convey emotions, build rapport, and establish a connection with the person we are communicating with. In this article, we will explore some common examples of informal language used in daily conversations.
1. Slang Words and Abbreviations
Slang words and abbreviations are commonly used in informal conversations to convey a meaning in a concise and easy-to-understand way. For instance, instead of saying “what are you doing,” one might use the abbreviation “WYD”. Similarly, “cool” is often used instead of “excellent” or “impressive”. This use of colloquial language makes the conversation more relaxed, engaging, and less formal but beware not to overuse slang as it may come off as unprofessional or difficult to comprehend.
2. Contractions
Contractions are another common feature of informal language, where two words are combined into one. For instance, “do not” becomes “don’t,” “I am” becomes “I’m” and so on. Contractions help to make the conversation flow smoothly, making it less rigid and formal, and give a sense of familiarity and ease.
3. Emojis and Emoticons
In recent times, emojis and emoticons have become a popular mode of communication among friends, family members, and people of the younger generation. These symbols help convey emotions and feelings, and add personality to written communication, which sometimes can appear to sound cold. For instance, instead of saying “I’m excited about our lunch date,” one might add a smiley face to the text message. However, one must use emojis and emoticons prudently and in the right context, as overuse might appear unprofessional, especially in a business setting.
4. Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns such as “I,” “you,” “we,” and “they” are typically used in informal conversations. These pronouns help to establish a connection between the people who are communicating with each other. In other words, using personal pronouns indicates that we are conversing with someone rather than addressing a group of people in a formal or professional setting.
5. Non-Standard Grammar
Informal language often deviates from the formal rules of grammar. People tend to use incomplete sentences, fragments, and slang terms to convey their thoughts and feelings more effectively. For example, instead of saying “I can’t find my keys,” one might say “Keys lost!” to convey the same message. This use of non-standard grammar can make the conversation more engaging, especially in a casual setting.
Conclusion
In conclusion, informal language plays a significant role in daily communication. It helps to build relationships, convey emotions and feelings, and facilitate the flow of conversation. However, it is crucial to understand the context in which informal language is used to avoid any misunderstandings or miscommunications. By using informal language correctly, we can make our conversations more engaging and relatable, while still maintaining a level of professionalism and respect.
