ENGLISH SLANG IN CONTEMPORARY COMMUNICATION: LINGUISTIC FEATURES, FUNCTIONS, AND SOCIOCULTURAL IMPLICATIONS

This article examines English slang as a dynamic component of modern communication shaped by globalization, mass media, and digital technologies. Slang has evolved from a marginal linguistic phenomenon into a widespread element of everyday interaction. The study analyzes the origins, structural characteristics, communicative functions, and sociocultural implications of slang in contemporary English. Special attention is paid to youth speech and online communication environments. The findings indicate that slang enhances expressiveness and group identity but may also challenge language norms, clarity, and intergenerational communication.