Read the following research paper excerpt and answer the question.
According to Mario Pei, slang is common to English as well as to foreign languages (80). Many
words that were once considered slang are now words of full, legitimate standing in our
language. Some of these words are strenuous, spurious, clumsy, and bogus. Even Shakespeare
introduced into current usage such slang terms of his day as hubbub, fireworks, fretful, (to)
bump, and (to) dwindle. Pei estimates that about 90 per cent of all slang words eventually
become permanent (Johns 12).
What is the author's purpose in this research paper excerpt?
to entertain those who read it
to state the purpose of slang
to explain how slang words have changed
to inform the reader about Shakespeare's contribution to the English language