Language of Today

Guadalupe Vega

Los Angeles Pacific University

Boujee

Definition:
Boujee is hip-hop slang for something
"luxurious in lifestyle yet humble in
character," influenced by and often
interchanged with the slang bougie.

REtrieved
fromhttps://www.dictionary.com/e/slang/boujee/
Gucci

Definition:A versatile slang term based on

the luxury fashion brand meaning
okay/good/great/awesome/fresh/etc. Originally used in
the streets but now popularized by the masses. Sometimes
abbreviated "gooch" if you're an expert in its use. To be all
Gucci is a wonderful thing indeed.

Retrieved from
Retrieved from https://me.me/i/when-im-offered-romance-without-finance-im-
urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=G gucci-man-pass-14379367

ucci
fleek

Definition:Extremely good, attractive, or

stylish.

Retrieved from https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/fleek

Retrieved from
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/18/9f/19/189f19060b887389b1a8e1
4e87274fda.jpg
On point

Definition:Excellent, Without
Imperfection, gorgeous, sexy
Retrieved from
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=on%20poi
nt

Retrieved from
https://me.me/i/when-your-hairs-on-point-18193624
Low key

Definition:To be secretive about something

Such as crushes,events,Etc.

Retrieved from
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=low-key

Retrieved from
https://knowyourmeme.com/photos/925179-my-face-when-mfw-tha
t-face-when-tfw
Slay me

Definition:"You slay me" means you

really make me laugh. "Slay me" is said
when someone looks really good
Retrieved from
https://hinative.com/en-US/questions/99632

Retrieved from https://imgflip.com/i/17aoib

 I’m shooketh

Definition:A comment or response that

confused, surprised, or angered you.

Retrieved from
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Shooketh

Retrieved from
https://me.me/i/when-you-thought-you-only-had-2-50-in-your-bank-14038
587
Ghosted

Definition:When a person cuts off all

communication with their friends or the
person they're dating, with zero warning
or notice before hand. You'll mostly see
them avoiding friend's phone calls, social
Retrieved from Retrieved from
media, and avoiding them in public. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/862087553642780164/

Retrieved from
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Ghosting
Extra

Definition:over the top

excessive, dramatic behavior

way too much

Retrieved from
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=extra

Retrieved from
https://me.me/i/why-you-always-gotta-be-so-extra-me-ig-stud
ness-11915513
Bruh

Definition:another way of
saying really, or seriously.
Retrieved from
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bruh

Retrieved from
https://www.mandatory.com/fun/1227047-collection-hilarious-bruh-memes
woke
Definition:knowing what's
going on in the community." It
also mentions its specific ties to
racism and social injustice
Retrieved from
https://www.bustle.com/articles/134893-what-does-woke-mea
n-theres-more-to-the-slang-term-than-you-think
Retrieved from
The young generations have always had a way of rebelling with making up their own language. It is a trend that has been occurring for many
centuries. As a teen, I recall having my own cool terms to use like, “that was the bomb” or “as if.” Just like today, my cool lingo was inspired by
pop culture. Though I went through this stage myself, I couldn’t help being surprised to learn the cool lingo for the kids of this generation. It made
me feel super old because I was completely out of date with the new terms; and disappointed at many of them because they make a mockery of
the language.
First, a reason behind the need to make a new vocabulary among the teens is as a result of their egocentrism. Also, this is also a stage
in their life where they seek more independence (Allen & Waterman, 2019). Their need to stand out while at the same time be rebellious makes
them to take part of creating the new language. If it is what is hip at the time, they are likely to want to explore it and take part of it themselves.
Anyone can agree that during the adolescent stage, children tend to deter themselves from family and grow closer to their group of friends. From
being goofy and trying to fit in and show themselves as unique and in control is that the approval for their own language emerges. It’s an example
of how they exclude themselves from the world. This is in no way a criticism because I recall doing the same thing when I was young, even to
this day I sometimes use the new lingo with my kids at school (of course only sticking to what is PG). I use it purposefully to help start a
relationship with the them and to make them feel comfortable. A practice that I plan on continuing as I continue my career in education. Again,
sticking to what is PG and allowing myself to be a bit foolish about it.
From the examples of new language I got to encounter, I saw only one word that could be applied to a morphological description. The
word “shooketh” has shook as lexical while eth is added as inflectional. Grammatically, this would be incorrect, but it is what someone started
saying to explain they were in shock. The principle of semantics is one that I had in mind as I was listening to the conversations. As semantics
means “the meaning of words, phrases and sentences” (yule, 2017). The words and phrases the kids where using gives the principle of
semantics a new meaning as the new language changes the meaning of common use language words. It is hard to describe how words like
woke, bruh, or Gucci play a role in morphology because they are in their base form with no added prefix or suffix. The youth has simply made up
a word or taken an old word and given it a new meaning that is defined depending on the context of the conversation.
It is already difficult enough to learn the language and have an extensive vocabulary. This pattern of new generations making up or
changing the language makes it even more difficult for, say a language learner, to learn and be fluent in the language. It simply goes to show how
something as innate as language is as complex as the universe. It is ever changing and evolving and with it I hope to be able to understand the
new words so to help me stay cool with my future students.
 References

urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Gucci

https://me.me/i/when-im-offered-romance-without-finance-im-gucci-man-pass-14379367

https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/fleek

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/18/9f/19/189f19060b887389b1a8e14e87274fda.jpg

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=on%20point

https://me.me/i/when-your-hairs-on-point-18193624

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=low-key

https://knowyourmeme.com/photos/925179-my-face-when-mfw-that-face-when-tfw

https://hinative.com/en-US/questions/99632

https://imgflip.com/i/17aoib

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Shooketh
https://me.me/i/when-you-thought-you-only-had-2-50-in-your-bank-14038587

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Ghosting

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/862087553642780164/

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=extra

https://me.me/i/why-you-always-gotta-be-so-extra-me-ig-studness-11915513

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=bruh

https://www.mandatory.com/fun/1227047-collection-hilarious-bruh-memes

https://www.bustle.com/articles/134893-what-does-woke-mean-theres-more-to-the-slang-term-than-you-think

Allen B, Waterman, H (2019). Stages of Adolescence. American Academy of Pediatrics. Retrieved from

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/Pages/Stages-of-Adolescence.aspx

Yule, G. (2017). The Study of Language 6th Edition. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University

Press.