Slangi

Slangi is the Finnish term for slang, referring to informal, nonstandard vocabulary used by particular social groups, typically younger speakers, in speech and writing. Slangi forms part of the broader sociolects and is distinguished from standard language by its lexical creativity, frequent neologisms, and relaxed or deviant grammar.

Slangi terms often arise from wordplay, metaphor, blending, truncation, and repurposing existing words; they can originate from youth subcultures, professions, regional dialects, or media and online culture. It functions as a social signal of in-group identity, solidarity, or rebellion, and can provide humor or expressiveness.

In Finnish linguistics, slangi is studied as part of sociolinguistics and language change. It is not a separate language but a dynamic layer of vocabulary that interacts with standard Finnish and with other languages through borrowing and code-switching. Because slangi changes quickly, its terms have relatively short lifespans and may be common only within specific communities before fading or being absorbed into broader language, or re-emerging in new forms.

Dictionaries and academic works document notable Finnish slang terms, including those from youth culture, sports, music, and online communities. Cross-linguistically, all languages have slang varieties. They are often challenged by standardization efforts but persist due to social preferences and creative expression. See also slang, sociolinguistics, language change.