Standard usage includes those words and expressions understood, used, and accepted by a majority of the speakers of a language in any situation regardless of the level of formality. As such, these words and expressions are well defined and listed in standard dictionaries. Colloquialisms2, on the other hand, are familiar words and idioms that are understood by almost all speakers of a language and used in informal speech or writing, but not considered appropriate for more formal situations. Almost all idiomatic3 expressions are colloquial1 language. Slang, however, refers to words and expressions understood by a large number of speakers but not accepted as good, formal usage by the majority. Colloquial expressions and even slang may be found in standard dictionaries but will be so identified. Both colloquial usage and slang are more common in speech than in writing.
    Colloquial speech often passes into standard speech. Some slang also passes into standard speech, but other slang expressions enjoy momentary4 popularity followed by obscurity. In some cases, the majority never accepts certain slang phrases but nevertheless retains them in their collective memories. Every generation seems to require its own set of words to describe familiar objects and events. It has been pointed5 out by a number of linguists6 that three cultural conditions are necessary for the creation of a large body of slang expressions. First, the introduction and acceptance of new objects and situations in the society; second, a diverse population with a large number of subgroups; third, association among the subgroups and the majority population.
    Finally, it is worth noting that the terms "standard" "colloquial" and "slang" exist only as abstract labels for scholars who study language. Only a tiny number of the speakers of any language will be aware that they are using colloquial or slang expressions. Most speakers of English will, during appropriate situations, select and use all three types of expressions.
    1 colloquial
    adj.口語(yǔ)的，會(huì)話的
    參考例句：
    It's hard to understand the colloquial idioms of a foreign language.外語(yǔ)里的口頭習(xí)語(yǔ)很難懂。
    They have little acquaintance with colloquial English. 他們對(duì)英語(yǔ)會(huì)話幾乎一竅不通。
    2 colloquialisms
    n.俗話，白話，口語(yǔ)( colloquialism的名詞復(fù)數(shù) )
    參考例句：
    There are as many colloquialisms in Japanese as are in Chinese. 中日文中存在著大量的四字熟語(yǔ)。 來自互聯(lián)網(wǎng)
    It is getting better, but It'still struggles with colloquialisms and idioms. 機(jī)器翻譯的質(zhì)量雖然有所改善，但翻譯起口語(yǔ)體和習(xí)語(yǔ)來還是困難重重。 來自互聯(lián)網(wǎng)
    3 idiomatic
    adj.成語(yǔ)的，符合語(yǔ)言習(xí)慣的
    參考例句：
    In our reading we should always be alert for idiomatic expressions.我們?cè)陂喿x過程中應(yīng)經(jīng)常注意慣用法。
    In his lecture,he bore down on the importance of idiomatic usage in a language.他在演講中著重強(qiáng)調(diào)了語(yǔ)言中習(xí)慣用法的重要性。
    4 momentary
    adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暫的
    參考例句：
    We are in momentary expectation of the arrival of you.我們無(wú)時(shí)無(wú)刻不在盼望你的到來。
    I caught a momentary glimpse of them.我瞥了他們一眼。
    5 pointed
    adj.尖的，直截了當(dāng)?shù)?BR>    參考例句：
    He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他給我一支削得非常尖的鉛筆。
    She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通過對(duì)達(dá)茨伍德夫人提出直截了當(dāng)?shù)难?qǐng)向她的哥哥表示出來。
    6 linguists
    n.通曉數(shù)國(guó)語(yǔ)言的人( linguist的名詞復(fù)數(shù) )；語(yǔ)言學(xué)家
    參考例句：
    The linguists went to study tribal languages in the field. 語(yǔ)言學(xué)家們?nèi)?shí)地研究部落語(yǔ)言了。 來自辭典例句
    The linguists' main interest has been to analyze and describe languages. 語(yǔ)言學(xué)家的主要興趣一直在于分析并描述語(yǔ)言。 來自辭典例句