The internet transforming language of Czech youth
Czech children and teenagers are crafting their own language, filled with slang and new expressions, often borrowed from English. The internet speeds up the creation of new words and phrases, which can be confusing for people who aren't active online. In particular, it can be difficult for their parents and grandparents to understand.
“ ‘Boomer’ I know, that’s me. ‘Chill,’ yes. ‘Crash,’ yes. ‘Cringe,’ I don’t know. ”
A lady goes over terms that Czech kids use the most on the internet.
“I’d say that I understand every second word because I have an eighteen-year-old daughter. She uses some of the phrases and I typically ask what they mean, so words like ‘boomer’ and ‘chill’ I’ve become used to. And some words we know because they’re from English.”
Michal Kříž, a linguist from Palacký University Olomouc, who specializes in the language of the young generations, says that areas of misunderstanding between younger and older generations are clear and expanding.
“We have information from our students who are entering the workforce and who are approximately 25 and those who are entering high school. Often, they themselves do not understand younger generations. So, the gap between the generations is becoming smaller. Now, even a ten-year gap can cause misunderstanding between generations.”
The internet has largely been responsible for molding the slang of Czech kids.
“A lot of words and phrases come to Czech from English in their pure form without any adjustment to make them more Czech. Sometimes the older generation has problems with these words.
“Then there are hybrid words. I have often found, for example, that emojis and various gifs are returning into language through nonverbal expressions. They become a part of expression through either facial expressions or even gestures.”
The linguist is certain that the number of English words in the Czech language will continue to increase. There will also be an increase in artificial intelligence and visual elements.
“Today, kids even in primary school like to use emojis that they can create themselves, which are individualistic and are characteristic of the specific person making them.”
Mr. Kříž likes that today’s communication of children is variable, dynamic, effective, and that it quickly changes. He also likes that, to a certain extent, the slang is international.
