There is a mistaken assumption in many social sciences that knowledge will automatically translate into action. Based on this assumption, textbooks for basic oral communication, a required course in many college campuses, attempt to ameliorate students' communicational behaviors by teaching them knowledge about communication: theories, concepts, and terms. Not only failing their attempt, these textbooks also estrange students by belaboring what is "common sense" in students' perception.

However, in reality, numerous social problems are not because of a lack of knowledge, but because of a...

Language is a passport to a culture. Slang, probably the most lively part of a language, is especially so. Understanding of a culture's slang is a great lens through which to know the authentic life of the members in that culture. Slang can also serve to spice up conversations with these members.In this light, a collection is made of undergraduate college students' slang--by college students themselves. For authenticity, more attention is given to comprehensiveness than to political correctness, although racist terms are avoided. This concise collection promises to give you a better...