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On a recent broadcast of the game show ‘Jeopardy’ there was a category ‘Newish Words and Phrases’. The answers ranged from ‘Carbon Handprint’, ‘Bougee’, ‘Digital Detox’, ‘Ghosting’ and even ‘Gucci’. Oh yeah, this five-letter, famous fashion brand is a word that means ‘something good or fancy’. Fitting for a high-end brand.
It got me thinking on how language is evolving faster than ever before. Social media and messaging apps are playing a significant role transforming the English language with the introduction of new vocabulary, communication styles and linguistic creativity in line with the fast-paced nature of digital interaction.
These platforms are spawning neologisms – new words and phrases that are coined from online communication everyday. Gen Z and Gen Alpha are creating and popularising words and terms that seem to reflect their thought processes, behaviour and shared experiences.
I recall a couple of years ago, when my teenage nephew was conversing with me, I was flabbergasted (no, that’s not a new word). I could barely understand what he was saying. Trying to look like a cool aunt I just nodded in agreement. After he left, I asked his mother (my sister) to clarify. She rolled her eyes, shrugged her shoulders and smiled.
Welcome to the world of Gen Z; they who speak a language that we baby boomers need to learn anew.
Not long ago Gen Z kids answered their phone with just one word ‘Sup’, meaning ‘What’s up’. While we grapple with the newly-coined words such a Riz, Vibe coding, Skibidi, Delulu, Tradwife, etc., emojis have also evolved into a global language to convey emotions and nuances that text may not.
The evergreen – or should that be yellow – smiley face to convey joy or softening of a tone based on context and the ‘Thumbs Up’ emoji that is ubiquitous. Phew! I could never get my head around it when young colleagues responded to urgent messages with a thumbs up emoji. Was it a ‘Yes’ or ‘Noted’ or just nothing at all. Such turmoil over an emoji!
As if that was not enough, acronyms made a grand entry in both online and offline conversations with FOMO, BRB, TTYL, JK, NWS. But when my friends began using them, I had to sharpen up with a screenshot of ‘popular acronyms with meanings’ saved on my phone, for easy reference.
Language has often been described as a living, dynamic entity that constantly evolves and adapts to social, cultural, technological and geographical changes leading to radical shifts in vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and usage. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) adds about a 1,000 new words to its dictionary every year and a few additions from the Hindi language that had me beaming are Didi, Bhai, Achcha, bhaji, vada, jugaad, gully, dadagiri, bada and my not-so-favourite word Chhi-Chhi, a word to express disgust.
Many well-worn Arabic words have also made it to the English dictionary – Hijab, Halal, Habibi/Habibti, Felafel (that was a no-brainer), Tahini, Haram, Inshallah, Mashallah, Khalas, Kebab, Yalla, Wadi, etc.
Yet, while we rejoice at the evolution of the language, at times I find it disconcerting. What is the most appropriate way to write now? Should we retain the old-school style with grammar, syntax, et al or switch to the more expressive, casual, emotive style? Maybe just vibe with it, eh?
So, yes, our lexicon is lit, our syntax is sus, and if Shakespeare were to see the messages on WhatsApp and the reels on TikTok, he’d probably rage-quit.
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