ABSTRACT
There is a well-established history of phonetic and phonological manipulations being used to create new words and phrases in in-group and colloquial language. Walter suggests that language games and speech disguise typically involve the subtraction, addition, replacement or transposition of sounds, and that such alterations have been observed among many of the world's languages, from Hebrew to Cantonese. Alternatively, speakers may wish to signal a particular attitude or impart levity as part of language play. Insertion is a practice that has been in evidence in a number of languages for some considerable time. The reasons for the use and productivity of phonological and phonetic methods of word-creation are many and can vary from group to group. 'Bamazhka' and 'diudiuktiv' are cited by Cobb, who suggests that, the effects of deliberate morphological and phonetic change "can be multifold: the connotations vary from the highest degree of informality to expressing strong derogatory or sarcastic attitudes".
