when I do my research about the language used among teens, I find the phenomenon that the use of slang words by young people is not intended to make distance with older generation but to show a closer relationship with the older participant. But may be is different with what happen in your place....
Some of the young people do not use the slang for marking a distance of older generations. Sometimes, they are not even aware of the existence of this category. They hear slang words and consider them natural and correct and use them afterwards.
First of all, the rampant use of slang words or expressions cannot be solely ascribed to teenagers. Second, although this inclination could be mostly seen among young people, I do not think that they utter such words with the intent of keeping themselves apart from the elderly, which sounds really erratic. Dear @Dakdaki Hamza, what makes you think so?
I found this book that might be useful: de Klerk, V. (2005). Slang and swearing as markers of inclusion and exclusion in adolescence. In A. Williams & C. Thurlow (Eds.), Talking adolescence: Perspectives on communication in the teenage years. (pp. 111-127). New York, NY: Peter Lang Publishing.
dear @ Hulya Avci , having a conversation with a teenagers , sometimes seem as if they are speaking another language, full of slang expressions and phrases that you have never heard of, which make them sound vague and hard to understand and often is that what they want!
In addition, Teenagers are trying to find their way in the adult world and often feel most comfortable with their peers. Having their own language helps them bond with other teens and build confidence.
When the present older generation were in teenage, have used more slang than the present. The gap can be seen as the teenagers use more slang than the older generation. Slang are used for anger, joke , as well as habits, especially people who use slang at home for their normal conversations, children too use them without any fear as normal. Generally, male use more slang than female. People who live in shanties, prison, use many slang compare to the other communities.
I think it varies community to community. nation to nation. in Bengali community usually young do not use slang in front of older.only very few cases it's happen.
when I do my research about the language used among teens, I find the phenomenon that the use of slang words by young people is not intended to make distance with older generation but to show a closer relationship with the older participant. But may be is different with what happen in your place....
Slang is popular to separate from others (generation, social, group, etc.) but slang dies fast. However it can get a new life with other generation. So Grannby might know the slang her grandchild while the parents using the slang if thei younger days might sound antique for a teen.
Studying slang is always fun but i'd rather not use it much not to get into a finny/akward, etc situation. 'Awesome" means great today but some decade ago it meant 'extremely impressive or daunting; inspiring awe".
in order to establish solidarity between the group members, youngsters use a common genre of language with a lot of slangs or jargons. this seperation can be unintentional due to searching for solidarity with age groups. it is a natural trend for language to seperate some people while bonding others
Totally agree with my colleague, the youngster do not use the slang intentionally, but naturally. I've never heard a teenager saying to his peer: "now, let's talk slang!".
However, they are aware of borderlines of age and show respect towards the elders by avoiding to use the slang in their presence, in some countries...though.
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