Hi my dear friends. Nowadays, we are all used to the Internet and its slang, principally young people so we are going to see much more about this curious slang and the Internet vernacular English. I hope you'll like it!
Hola mis queridos amigos. Hoy en día todos estamos acostumbrados a Internet y a su "jerga" principalmente los jóvenes así que vamos a ver mucho más sobre este curioso lenguaje y el Inglés coloquial para Internet. ¡Espero que os guste!
Info: from Speak Up magazine.
Photos: speakup /Redbubble / Break.into.english / Immigo / 7ESL
DIGITAL SLANG. INTERNET VERNACULAR ENGLISH
British and American slang proliferates in today's interconnected world. Social media platforms are where slang Brit and slang Yankee compete to win young users over through the exchange of memes, tweets or videos. Rapid and viral sharing turns language into a shared asset among cultures and continents. Through their distinctive vernacular, British and American English merge into a global linguistic fabric, creating a dynamic and ever-evolving landscape that reflects the fluid nature of modern communication.
HISTORIC EVOLUTION
Some famously vulgar four-letter swear words originate from Old or Middle English and are commonly used by both British people and Americans. Other expressions simply refuse to cross the Atlantic. For centuries, the British have used terms like "blimey" (God blind me) or "bloody hell" to show surprise or irritation, which Americans rarely use. Although both Brits and Americans now say "guy" ,meaning "man" or "guys" meaning "people", only British people use the word "bloke" to mean "man". "Bro" is an American term of address to a male friend, whereas Londoners, in particular South Londoners, usually say "bruv".
"Cool", meaning excellent or admirable, originated in the jaz era. Consequently it started in America and spread to the UK with the music. The same cannot be said of "awesome". As far back as the late 16th century it was a common English word meaning "inspiring reverential awe" or "wonder", but only in 1960s America did it become slang for "overwhelming" or "incredible". The term was used so frequently that its meaning gradually weakened to simply "great".
THE AUDITORY LANDSCAPE
The evolution of podcasting has highlighted further differences. While American podcasts feature terms like "dude" and "awsome", in British podcasts there will appear as "mate" and "brilliant". The language tapestry is enhanced by this auditory landscape., which reflects the divergence of slang.
However, the fusion of traditional and digital media has given rise to linguistic hybrids. Memes, a cornerstone of online culture, encapsulate humour and cultural references, transcending language barriers. memes featuring British sitcom characters of American pop culture icons serve as a shared language, embodying the interconnected nature of slang in the digital age.
GLOBAL SPREAD
Nowadays, expressions that were once limited to a certain territory are accepted worldwide. The verb "to chill" is common enough for non-mother tongue speakers to use, even though the art of relaxing is more often defined as "chillaxing" by young Brits. Similarly, the British slang term "cheeky", meaning "rude" or "impolite" in an amusing way, is common in the daily discourse of young people around the world. The American word "lit", which has been used for over a century to mean "intoxicated" and more recently has gained the meaning of "exciting" or "excellent", is also widely used outside the English-speaking world.
Consider the term "savage". Originating from African-American Vernacular English and now adopted globally, it showcases the intricate interplay between cultural appropriation and linguistic evolution. Slang, once confined to regional boundaries, now traverses continents, challenging notions of ownership and sparking conversation about cultural exchange.
UNEXPECTED SIMILARITIES
Despite the differences, a curious convergence emerges in the abbreviations used on social media. The use of expressions like LOL (laugh out loud) OMG (oh my god!), WTF?? (what the fuck?), IMO (in my opinion), TBH (to be honest), or BRB (be right back) has become a kind of digital lingua franca, trascending national barriers. These linguistic shortcuts provide common ground were British and American slang meet and are now used universally, regardless of the native language of the speaker.
Virality on social media plays a fundamental role in the evolution of slang. An iconic example is represented by expressions like "sksksk" or "and I loop", which are used to express shock, surprise or embarrassment and gained popularity through the TikTok platform. These seemingly meaningless expressions have crossed linguistic barriers., creating a common language among users of different nationalities. The domino effect si so powerful that these new expressions quickly inflitrate everyday conversation.
A LANGUAGE IN MOTION
As we peer into the future, aritificial intelligence (AI) and virtual communication technologies stand poised to influence slang evolution. Chatbots and virtual assistants, with their ability to understand and mimic human language, may contribute to cross-cultural slang adoption. The intersection of technology and language proples slang into uncharted territories, challenging preconceptions and reshaping linguistic landscapes.
As slang continues to evolve, fuelled by social media and pop culture, it's clear that British and American English will forever be in a linguistic dance. This is not just a comparison of words, but a celebration of the richness and versatility of the English language, embracing change and evolving with society. In an increasingly connected world, slang becomes a bridge between cultures and a means to express the essence of contemporary youth, a language in motion that continually redefines our understanding of the English language.
VOCABULARY
-SLANG: jerga / -ASSET: recurso, activo / -VERNACULAR: lengua coloquial / -TO MERGE: fusionarse / -BLIMEY: caramba! / -BRUV: colega / -AWESOME: impresionante, genial / -OVERWHELMING: abrumador / -TO WEAKEN: debilitar / -DUDE: colega / -MATE: colega / -TAPESTRY: tapiz, complejidad / -TO ENHANCE: aumentar / -CORNERSTONE: piedra angular / -STCOM: comedia / -TO EMBODY: encarnar / -CHEEKY: descarado / -INTERPLAY: interacción / -T SPARK: desencadenar / -SHORTCUTS: atajos.
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