THE ROLE OF SLANG IN EXPRESSING AMERICAN YOUTH SUBCULTURES

Slang serves as a powerful linguistic tool in shaping and reflecting the identities of American youth subcultures. Far from being mere informal speech, slang operates as a social code that signals group membership, cultural resistance, and generational trends. This paper explores how slang functions within various American youth subcultures, including hip hop, skateboarding, internet communities. Drawing on recent linguistic and cultural studies, it highlights the dynamic, creative, and political aspects of slang as a living expression of youth identity in a rapidly changing social landscape.