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So when this slang-using generation grows up and joins the real world they will become the real world, and slang will become acceptable there and everyone will

by selven 17y ago

So when this slang-using generation grows up and joins the real world they will become the real world, and slang will become acceptable there and everyone will understand it. I fail to see the problem.

RiderOfGiraffes 17y ago
That might work if generations were discrete, but they're not. I've recently tried to hire a programmer, and while some of the candidates were excellent programmers, none could stand up and give any kind of explanation to a customer of anything. My customers are conservative (to say the least!) and none of the candidates could change their language style to match the listener. In many industries getting a job early and having work experience is very important, and your employers and colleagues will all be older. Being able to communicate effectively outside your peer group is critical for many jobs. Those that have the skill will benefit. Those that don't could easily get left behind. Inability to communicate effectively outside your peer group doesn't matter much if you just program and don't try to talk to VCs, bankers, customers or potential mentors.
- kiujhygfvgbn 17y ago
  > don't try to talk to VCs, bankers Two groups that would never use slang!
- wglb 17y ago
  VC chatter I have heard "let's see if the dog hunts" and "augered in" "he is making a crater" "flow me the document". The author of the article seems to have a view of language that as subject to authority. This view fails to understand how language develops.
  - RiderOfGiraffes 17y ago
    There is a difference between slang and jargon. Jargon is specific to the domain of discourse, and uses words that are sometimes neologisms and sometimes ordinary words given particular technical meanings, the better to communicate quickly and accurately. Slang is to use words that create "tribes" or sub-cultures, often to create bonds and connections with your peers, and often do not involve significantly new or specific ideas. In each case, using your own dialect (slang or jargon) with your peers is one thing, but the ability to drop to a possibly less precise, possibly less efficient, but generally more widely understood common language is important. That's what the article is about - the apparent inability of the target group (in this case teenagers) to use language appropriate to their listener. Most half-way competent children of my generation used completely different language at school as compared with home. That's to be expected. What concerns me is the mono-linguality that seems to be emerging. Yes, it is what it is, and probably nothing can be done about it, and maybe it's not a problem. But recognising that it's happening is at least linguistically interesting.
    - ZeroGravitas 17y ago
      A recent study claimed that (at least in written text) youngsters were actually better than previous generations at writing for a particular audience and switching modes appropriately (kairos). I find it amusing, but unsurprising, that something that gets people all upset (txt messaging and email "slang") is actually shown to enhance kids skills. I really wouldn't be surprised to hear the same about spoken slang.

by selven 17y ago

RiderOfGiraffes 17y ago

That might work if generations were discrete, but they're not. I've recently tried to hire a programmer, and while some of the candidates were excellent programmers, none could stand up and give any kind of explanation to a customer of anything. My customers are conservative (to say the least!) and none of the candidates could change their language style to match the listener. In many industries getting a job early and having work experience is very important, and your employers and colleagues will all be older. Being able to communicate effectively outside your peer group is critical for many jobs. Those that have the skill will benefit. Those that don't could easily get left behind. Inability to communicate effectively outside your peer group doesn't matter much if you just program and don't try to talk to VCs, bankers, customers or potential mentors.

kiujhygfvgbn 17y ago
> don't try to talk to VCs, bankers Two groups that would never use slang!
wglb 17y ago
VC chatter I have heard "let's see if the dog hunts" and "augered in" "he is making a crater" "flow me the document". The author of the article seems to have a view of language that as subject to authority. This view fails to understand how language develops.
- RiderOfGiraffes 17y ago
  There is a difference between slang and jargon. Jargon is specific to the domain of discourse, and uses words that are sometimes neologisms and sometimes ordinary words given particular technical meanings, the better to communicate quickly and accurately. Slang is to use words that create "tribes" or sub-cultures, often to create bonds and connections with your peers, and often do not involve significantly new or specific ideas. In each case, using your own dialect (slang or jargon) with your peers is one thing, but the ability to drop to a possibly less precise, possibly less efficient, but generally more widely understood common language is important. That's what the article is about - the apparent inability of the target group (in this case teenagers) to use language appropriate to their listener. Most half-way competent children of my generation used completely different language at school as compared with home. That's to be expected. What concerns me is the mono-linguality that seems to be emerging. Yes, it is what it is, and probably nothing can be done about it, and maybe it's not a problem. But recognising that it's happening is at least linguistically interesting.
  - ZeroGravitas 17y ago
    A recent study claimed that (at least in written text) youngsters were actually better than previous generations at writing for a particular audience and switching modes appropriately (kairos). I find it amusing, but unsurprising, that something that gets people all upset (txt messaging and email "slang") is actually shown to enhance kids skills. I really wouldn't be surprised to hear the same about spoken slang.