Zeggen we straks allemaal 'de meisje' en 'shtijl'?

Summary

This video script explores the phenomenon of 'citétaal' in Limburg, a language created in multicultural mining communities, and its evolution among both immigrant and native youth. The speaker delves into linguistic features like the use of 'sh' in words like 'shtijl,' its spread through media, and the reasons behind its popularity. It examines how language use reflects identity, status, and coolness, and discusses how the spread of this linguistic trait beyond Limburg is influenced by imitation and desire for social belonging. The conclusion highlights that not everyone will adopt this language, but similar trends will continue to emerge.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker discusses the phenomenon of 'citétaal,' a local vernacular that originated in Limburg and spread among multicultural communities in the region.
• 😀 Citétaal emerged in mining communities where workers from various ethnic backgrounds, such as Moroccans, Italians, and Turks, developed a shared language to communicate despite not speaking Dutch.
• 😀 'Citétaal' is now a common youth language in Belgium, and is also found in other multicultural cities around the world, with similarities across regions.
• 😀 The speaker highlights the use of the 'sh' sound, as in 'shtijl,' as an example of a key feature in citétaal.
• 😀 The 'sh' sound, also known as palatalization of the 's,' is caused by tongue movement against the hard palate, giving a distinctive pronunciation.
• 😀 The origins of the 'sh' sound are attributed to influences from minority dialects, including Southern Italian dialects and Moroccan Arabic, as well as Limburg's regional dialects.
• 😀 The 'sh' sound has gained popularity due to media, with TV shows like 'Safety First' and hip hop songs contributing to its widespread use, particularly among younger generations.
• 😀 A study of social media (Twitter) revealed that between 2012-2016, the term 'shtijl' peaked in usage, correlating with the rise of 'Safety First' and its characters.
• 😀 The popularity of 'sh' pronunciation extended beyond the Limburg region, spreading to areas like Brabant, Antwerp, and even Oost- and West-Flanders, although it remained a localized phenomenon.
• 😀 Sociolinguistic research showed that young people associate 'shtijl' and citétaal with being cool, young, and trendy, but they also understand that the language has lower social status compared to standard Dutch.
• 😀 Although 'shtijl' has become widespread in some areas, not everyone will adopt it, as the lack of status prevents it from being universally accepted or used in formal contexts.

Q & A

What is citétaal and how did it originate?

Citétaal is a form of street or youth language that developed in multicultural mining neighborhoods in Limburg, Belgium. It arose as a practical means of communication among workers and their families from different ethnic backgrounds, such as Moroccan, Turkish, and Italian communities, who often did not speak Dutch. The language evolved and was adopted by younger generations as a colloquial form of communication.

Why are the linguistic phenomena like 'vies' and 'shtijl' significant in the context of this script?

The words 'vies' (meaning 'very') and 'shtijl' (meaning 'style') are examples of linguistic features that distinguish citétaal from Standard Dutch. They reflect common alterations in pronunciation or grammar, such as the palatalization of the 's' sound in 'shtijl' to create the 'sh' sound, which is characteristic of the dialect.

How does the phenomenon of palatalization work, and why is it important in this context?

Palatalization is the process where the 's' sound is pronounced more toward the back of the mouth, near the palate, resulting in the 'sh' sound, as seen in words like 'shtijl'. This shift in pronunciation is significant as it marks a linguistic feature of citétaal and other regional dialects, and highlights how language evolves in specific communities.

What does the use of the expression 'wa make?' signify, and what is its linguistic origin?

'Wa make?' is a greeting used in citétaal, likely originating from the Italian expression 'che fai' (meaning 'what are you doing?'). Over time, it developed in youth language as a casual way to ask someone how they are or what they are doing.

Why has the use of 'sh' (as in 'shtijl') become popular in recent years?

The use of the 'sh' sound, particularly in the word 'shtijl', has gained popularity due to media exposure, especially through TV shows like 'Safety First', hip hop songs, and advertisements. The character 'Schmos' from 'Safety First' helped popularize this pronunciation, making it more widespread among young people.

What social factors contribute to the spread of linguistic features like 'shtijl' beyond the original Limburg region?

The spread of 'shtijl' beyond Limburg can be attributed to imitation and the desire to associate with trends perceived as cool or hip. Young people in other regions may adopt such features to fit in with perceived youth culture or to seem more modern and rebellious.

What role does imitation play in the adoption of linguistic features like 'shtijl'?

Imitation plays a significant role in the adoption of linguistic features. Young people often imitate language used by individuals or groups that they find successful, cool, or interesting. This phenomenon helps spread certain expressions and pronunciation patterns, like 'shtijl', among broader groups.

How do young people view the social status of speaking in citétaal or using features like 'shtijl'?

Young people view the use of citétaal and expressions like 'shtijl' as a way to appear cool and part of a modern, youthful group. However, they also recognize that while these expressions may be trendy, they lack the social status associated with more formal or standard language varieties.

What were the findings from the study on Twitter regarding the popularity of 'shtijl'?

The study found that between 2012 and 2016, the use of 'shtijl' peaked significantly, coinciding with the popularity of the TV show 'Safety First'. People not only started using the expression more but also began to spell it with variants like 'sj-' or 'sh-', further spreading its use across social media platforms.

Will the use of words like 'shtijl' become universal in Belgium, according to the script?

No, the use of 'shtijl' is not expected to become universal. While it has spread beyond Limburg, its usage remains relatively localized, and young people are aware that it is trendy but lacks the status of standard language. As a result, not everyone will adopt it, and other expressions may gain popularity instead.