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New Book Decodes ‘Gen Z’ Slang for Older Generations

by Tanya Thomas on Oct 16 2011 3:59 PM

 New Book Decodes ‘Gen Z’ Slang for Older Generations
A new book has been written to help the older generation understand the language of Generations Y and Z, who are influenced by the new technological age.
Social researcher Mark McCrindle translates new generation speeches from blended words, to shortened ones and acronyms, in Word Up - A Lexicon and Guide to Communication in the 21st Century.

McCrindle said young people had always developed their own lexicon, but now it has radically differed, influenced by new technology and a global youth culture.

Yet there are throwbacks to the Baby Boomer generation in words such as "cool", "man" and "dude" still holding currency.

"We are seeing a unique evolution of language across the globe, as well as an increasing generational gap in communication," News.com.au quoted McCrindle as saying.

"Generations Y and Z are a product of our technological age, and their language reflects this.

"The youth of today could be termed the cut-and-paste generation, having whole conversations using phrases they've picked up from movies, viral YouTube clips and other media they consume," he stated.

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Youth slang often can be contradictory - it may be better to be described as sick than a winner, for example. And regional slang can upend even the hippest Gen Z.

A "nanger" in eastern Melbourne is an uncouth person, bad devon in NSW means gross and "nerpy" means good or cool in WA.

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Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School students added their faves (favourites): awks (awkward), ILY (I love you), dope (cool), FE (fair enough), and ridic (ridiculous).

Source-ANI


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