Global Story: Is Social Media Changing the Way We Speak?

Podcast Information:

• Title: Global News Podcast
• Host/Author: BBC World Service
• Episode: Bonus: The Global Story - Is social media changing the way we speak?
• Release Date: November 24, 2024

Introduction

In this insightful episode of the BBC World Service's Global News Podcast, host Valerie Sanderson introduces the bonus segment, The Global Story. This episode delves into the profound impact of social media on language, examining how digital communication platforms are reshaping the spoken word. Valerie is joined by linguist Sophia Smith Gaylor and BBC Learning English expert Neil Edgela to explore these linguistic transformations.

Language Evolution and Social Media

Lucy Hawkings opens the discussion by highlighting the historical evolution of language in the UK and the increasing pace of change due to social media. She notes the shift from traditional "Queen's English" to a more dynamic, internet-influenced vernacular.

Lucy Hawkings [00:49]: "With the advent of social media, the pace of change may be running away from us. Phrases like 'it's giving ris, no cap' are terms attributed to Internet culture and younger generations."

Neil Edgela shares his experiences communicating with his teenage children about language changes, emphasizing the generational divide and the exclusive nature of contemporary slang.

Neil Edgela [02:24]: "I've become aware of this whole range of vocabulary used by this generation that seems completely and utterly exclusive."

Linguicide: The Death of Languages

Sophia Smith Gaylor introduces the concept of linguicide, discussing both overt and covert factors leading to the extinction of languages. She explains how social pressures and the dominance of global languages like English contribute to this phenomenon.

Sophia Smith Gaylor [02:53]: "Linguicide could mean criminalizing a language being taught or spoken, or more covertly, devaluing a language through shame or exclusion from official domains."

Emerging Vocabulary and Generational Slang

The conversation shifts to specific examples of emerging slang among younger generations. Words like "skibidi," "riz," and "rizla" are dissected to understand their fluid usage and the exclusivity they confer within peer groups.

Neil Edgela [04:13]: "The word 'skibidi' is very fluid grammatically, and nobody, including my kids, can tell me what it really means."

Sophia elaborates on how language serves as a tool for identity within subgroups, and once terms are adopted outside these groups, they lose their exclusive status, prompting the creation of new slang.

Sophia Smith Gaylor [04:51]: "Language speaking is also identity making. If you use phrases outside your subgroup, they stop being exclusive, and new ones emerge."

Sources of Linguistic Innovation

Sophia identifies the primary sources of new vocabulary, including Black and Latino LGBT cultures, the ballroom scene, and even older subcultures like the incel community. She emphasizes the role of social media in accelerating the dissemination of these terms globally.

Sophia Smith Gaylor [07:35]: "A lot of phrases are being innovated within groups and then introduced to the mainstream through social media."

Impact of Globalization on Pronunciation and Grammar

The discussion highlights how globalization influences pronunciation, leading to a blending of American and British English accents. Neil points out that distinctions are blurring due to widespread media consumption.

Neil Edgela [20:54]: "Now there's more fluidity, and we can't say with such certainty that this is American English and that is British English."

Regarding grammar, Sophia mentions the gradual changes, such as the trend of "verbing" nouns (e.g., "Google" becoming "to Google").

Sophia Smith Gaylor [22:23]: "We're seeing verbing, turning nouns into verbs, like 'to Google' or 'to friend.'"

The Role of AI in Language Change

As the conversation progresses, Sophia and Neil address the burgeoning role of artificial intelligence in shaping language. Sophia expresses concerns about AI-generated content potentially perpetuating uninspired or contextually inappropriate language.

Sophia Smith Gaylor [26:00]: "AI isn't all bad, but it has to be observed and watched. If it's misbehaving, it has to be told off."

Neil echoes this sentiment, noting that AI still requires human oversight to maintain linguistic quality.

Neil Edgela [26:46]: "AI and language will always need the human touch just to give it the once over."

Future Outlook: Language Change and Preservation

Looking ahead, Sophia anticipates that language will continue to evolve rapidly due to diverse global influences and technological advancements. She remains optimistic about language revitalization efforts, citing Māori language resurgence in New Zealand as a positive example.

Sophia Smith Gaylor [24:38]: "They are an example to the world on how a language that appears to be dying can revitalize and acquire new speakers."

Neil concurs, highlighting the ongoing challenge of preserving languages amidst the dominance of global languages like English.

Neil Edgela [24:53]: "Languages are dying all the time, and the homogenization brought by social media threatens smaller languages."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a reflection on the inevitability of language change and the significant role social media plays in accelerating this process. Host Lucy Hawkings emphasizes the interconnectedness brought about by globalization, while Sophia and Neil underscore the importance of conscious efforts to preserve linguistic diversity.

Lucy Hawkings [27:19]: "We've never had as much input from so many different global sources of English as we ever have now."

As the Global Story wraps up, listeners are encouraged to engage with the ongoing conversation about language evolution in the digital age.

Notable Quotes:

• Lucy Hawkings [00:49]: "With the advent of social media, the pace of change may be running away from us."
• Sophia Smith Gaylor [02:53]: "Linguicide could mean criminalizing a language being taught or spoken..."
• Neil Edgela [04:13]: "The word 'skibidi' is very fluid grammatically."
• Sophia Smith Gaylor [07:35]: "A lot of phrases are being innovated within groups..."
• Neil Edgela [20:54]: "Now there's more fluidity, and we can't say with such certainty..."
• Sophia Smith Gaylor [26:00]: "AI isn't all bad, but it has to be observed and watched."
• Sophia Smith Gaylor [24:38]: "They are an example to the world on how a language that appears to be dying can revitalize..."
• Lucy Hawkings [27:19]: "We've never had as much input from so many different global sources of English as we ever have now."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode, providing listeners with a clear understanding of how social media is influencing language evolution.