Abstract:
Language is the fundamental aspect of human communication. Despite Sinhala language has been originally rooted by the Sanskrit language as many other languages as German, Catholic, Benito, Slavic, modern Sinhala language has been recently cultivated by the multiplying of new words and expressions that can be widely utilized by the urban societies in Sri Lanka. However, this present study surveys the newly utilized urban slangs and colloquial expressions in the Sinhala vernacular. This study conducts using qualitative research methodology, including focused groups, participatory observations and textual analyses. Data were judgmentally selected by the sample of two field surveys of GramaNiladhari Divisions (GNDs), East uppiyawaththa, No.52, Ketawalamulla place, Dematagoda (01) and Dematagoda, No.36, Sri Wijayaramaya, Seelarathna lane, aramaya road, Dematagoda (02), from august 2015 uptojuly 2016. Assuming that Sinhala language is substantially nurtured by the urban use of words and slangs, based on this research survey, this study concludes, that, both two GNDs use significantly similar words in their colloquial verbal communication. These use of words represent the diversity of their identities, who live in the same places of urban. Their use of language is also differentiated by their respective social events. Further, there are number of English words, in addition to their traditional words of folk-lore. Interestingly lots of worlds are significantly shorten in comparison to their other words in use. Moreover, it is difficult to find a logical co-relation in the respective words and their meaning. Patta, Toiya, Kella, aaathal, Bassalayanawa, Halalayanawa, adala ne, Henagahapan are some of the urban slangs used to denote their social class, position of work, prestige and elite. Finally, this study made a new classification of word groups in to ten (10) divisions based on different purposes of their use of language. Pitch, velocity, tone and rhythm in pronunciation of their use of these new words and expressions are significantly differentiated by religious, cultural and social diversity.
