How social media is changing the way we talk - The Global Story podcast, BBC World Service

Summary

In this episode of The Global Story, Lucy Hockings discusses the rapid evolution of language, particularly in relation to internet culture and social media, with linguists Sophia Smith Galer and Neil Edgeller. They explore the emergence of new slang terms, like 'rizz' and 'skibidi,' and how language is constantly shaped by youth culture, technology, and global connectivity. They also delve into the concept of linguicide, where languages can disappear due to cultural shifts or globalization. The conversation touches on the influence of AI in language revitalization and the role of social media in accelerating linguistic change.

Takeaways

• 😀 Language is constantly evolving, with social media accelerating the pace of change, especially among younger generations.
• 😀 New slang terms like 'rizz', 'skibidi', and 'no cap' are popularized through internet culture, but they quickly become exclusive to younger generations and may not be used by them for long.
• 😀 'Linguicide' refers to the disappearance or extinction of a language, either through overt forces like war or covert ones like social stigmas, which can lead people to abandon their native tongue.
• 😀 The rise of social media has led to the global spread of slang and language innovation, making it possible for teenagers worldwide to use the same terms, even across different countries.
• 😀 Social media platforms, especially video-based ones like TikTok, influence not only vocabulary but also intonation, with the use of rising intonation (up-talk) to engage audiences.
• 😀 The speed at which language changes today is unprecedented compared to pre-internet times, as trends can spread globally within moments.
• 😀 Language can act as a marker of identity, and when older generations adopt the language of younger groups, it loses its exclusivity and meaning within that group.
• 😀 Words and phrases often come from subcultures or specific groups, such as black, Latino, or LGBTQ+ communities, before they reach the mainstream.
• 😀 Some words, like 'rizz', can lose their meaning or popularity quickly, with new terms emerging as replacements in a cycle that mirrors fashion trends.
• 😀 The influence of English on other languages is growing, and some languages are at risk of losing their distinctiveness as global languages and online communication trends dominate.
• 😀 While grammar changes more slowly, modern phenomena like 'verbing' (turning nouns into verbs) are accelerating, reflecting the dynamic nature of language in the digital age.

Q & A

What is the central theme of the discussion in the transcript?

The central theme of the discussion is how language is changing rapidly, particularly due to the influence of social media, and how younger generations are driving this change. The conversation also touches on concepts like linguicide, generational differences in language, and the impact of global connectivity on language evolution.

What is linguicide, as explained by Sophia Smith Galer?

Linguicide refers to the phenomenon where a language either disappears or becomes extinct, often due to factors like criminalization, war, genocide, or speakers’ shame in using the language. It can also happen more covertly when speakers shift to another language to avoid stigma or exclusion.

How has social media accelerated language change, according to Neil Edgeller?

Neil Edgeller explains that social media has accelerated language change by enabling fast and widespread dissemination of new words and phrases. This rapid spread of vocabulary, particularly through video-based platforms, has led to a global sharing of slang, which was previously more regional or limited to specific groups.

What is the significance of words like 'rizz' and 'skibidi' in the conversation?

'Rizz' and 'skibidi' are examples of the types of words that are emerging from social media culture and younger generations. These terms are used in specific in-groups, and their meanings can be fluid and difficult to define, demonstrating the dynamic and often exclusive nature of language within subcultures.

Why do teenagers find it amusing when older people try to use their slang, like 'rizz'?

Teenagers find it amusing because using these slang terms by older generations, especially when done incorrectly, is seen as embarrassing or out of touch. This highlights the generational divide and how slang is often a marker of belonging to a specific group, with older individuals adopting it diminishing its exclusivity.

How do language changes reflect social identity, as discussed by the speakers?

Language is closely tied to social identity, with specific phrases and slang serving as markers for group membership. As discussed, when older generations or outsiders start using a certain in-group language, it loses its exclusivity, and younger people tend to move on to new terms to preserve that sense of identity.

What is the role of the Oxford English Dictionary in documenting new slang?

The Oxford English Dictionary plays a role in documenting emerging slang by officially adding words that have gained widespread usage. For example, the word 'rizz' was named Oxford's word of the year, but, as noted, even words that become mainstream can lose relevance quickly as younger generations move on to new expressions.

How has the global nature of social media influenced language use across different regions?

Social media has created a more homogenized global language environment, where slang terms and phrases are now shared across different countries and cultures. This is a stark contrast to earlier times when regional differences in slang and expressions were more pronounced, as seen in the example of how younger generations in both the UK and New Zealand use similar slang.

What is the impact of language changes on endangered languages, according to Sophia?

Sophia discusses the issue of linguicide and how some languages are endangered due to the dominance of global languages like English. She highlights efforts in places like French-speaking Canada to preserve the language, but also acknowledges that such efforts can be difficult if the alternative, like the French term, doesn't resonate as strongly with speakers.

How does AI influence language change, particularly for endangered languages?

AI is being used to help revive endangered languages by creating resources and supporting language revitalization efforts. However, AI tools can sometimes misbehave, particularly when there is a lack of sufficient data for training, leading to the creation of inaccurate words or grammatical structures for these low-resource languages.

What are the challenges of language change in the digital age, as discussed in the transcript?

The challenges include the fast pace at which language changes, the difficulty in keeping up with evolving slang, and the potential for older generations to feel disconnected from current trends. Additionally, there is concern about the homogenization of language due to the global influence of social media and the dominance of English, which may contribute to the decline of local languages and dialects.