Shchur I. Ukrainian Computer Slang: Formation and Functioning

The history of the fixation and studies of substandard languages in Ukrainian linguistics is analysed. The first attempts of collecting and examining of argot, jargons and slang (such as kobza and lyra players and criminals speech) were made in the middle of the 19th century. The speech of young people can't be left beyond the attention as well because it influences on formation of the computer slang greatly. On the basis of close look of different definitions of argot, jargons and slang the personal interpretation of all these concepts have been given. The place of Ukrainian computer slang in our language system, causes of its appearance and development have been defined as well as its main word-formation patterns, lexical and grammatical relationship among lexical units of the computer slang. The attention is also paid to the stylistic function of the usage of computer slang in literature and mass media.