Abstract：American slang is a kind of colloquial speech used extensively on informal occasions. Slang is gradually accepted by more and more Americans with the development of modern times. Language is the carrier of culture. It is impossible to fully master American culture without perfect understanding of slang—a prevailing form of oral speech in current America.
One of the time-honored and authoritative publications is Slang Today and Yesterday written by Eric Partridge. The valuable reference book introduced the history of slang in details and classified slang words into systematical categories. However, what it mainly focuses on was merely certain slang words without giving further profound linguistic analysis. This thesis intends to analyze American slang in linguistic perspective. Semantic, rhetoric and pragmatic features are discussed in details to display the expressiveness as well as vigor in slang. We can learn from the thesis that American people are creative and full of sense of humor. It is sincerely hoped that the study presents us reference to comprehensive understanding of American slang as well as culture and facilitate cross-cultural communication.
Key Words: American slang; language; features
中文摘要：美国俚语是一种在非正式场合下使用非常广泛的口语形式。随着时代发展，俚语越来越多地为美国人所接受。语言是文化的载体，如果不了解美国俚语这种在当代美国使用非常广泛的口语形式，对美国文化的了解也是相对肤浅的。
埃里克的《俚语今昔》是俚语著作中较为权威和悠久的。该著作详细介绍了俚语的历史，并对俚语词类进行了系统的分类整理和深入解释，具有一定参考价值。然而其研究重点是字词本身，而非从语言的角度的对俚语进行总体研究。本论文则从语言学的角度,对俚语的语义、修辞和语用三个方面的特征进行深入分析,从而体验俚语极强表现力和生命力，以及美国人风趣幽默, 富有创造性的民族特征, 期望可以帮助学习者对美国俚语有一个全面的认识,以便更好地了解美国社会和文化，促进跨文化沟通与交流。
关键词: 美国俚语;语言;特点
