Naeva Week 1 - Slang: Identity or Impersonation?

Week 1: Slang: Identity or Impersonation? - 08/26 [9:13 PM]

Slang has always been an incredibly important factor in identity. Slang can be a defining factor on how people are perceived, the groups that people surround themselves with, and the individuality that is promoted within specific regions. This article by American University Magazine, titled “3 Minutes on Slang”, explores the connection between slang and how it influences identity, generational language, and regional differences. 

For a brief summary, the article starts off by characterizing slang as language that changes from below. Rather than learning language from teachers and institutions, slang comes from different youth subcultures and builds over time generation by generation. The article explains how slang creates individuality, whether it be generational differences in slang or culture-specific dialogue. The example cited is one we are all very familiar with, the “67” meme, coined by Gen Alpha to mark the shift from their older siblings. Slang often comes from minority groups, such as African American Vernacular English (AAVE) or Caló, and while terms have been taken from these groups and used in mainstream media, the same phrases are also used as a method to identify certain groups that are looked down upon. The ending message of the piece is that language is always changing and being inserted into mainstream culture. 

After reading this article, I kept on thinking about slang from minority groups. Terms like “hella” and “lowkey” have AAVE origins. I have heard these terms in conversation, and I even use them. However, despite its immense use in all cultures, these terms are being used as methods of perception to identify which groups to discriminate against. This is incredibly prevalent on social media, the place where slang thrives. Minority dialects are redesigned as new buzzwords from non-Black creators, oftentimes using a blaccent. Creators will speak in the same manner as black people, while Black creators are facing discrimination for using the same terminology. Another common aspect is using media and GIFs of Black people as reaction images. Linguists have named this phenomenon digital blackface, where non-Black users gain popularity and clout for using media contributions of Black creators.

This article explains that slang creates a distinct uniqueness that can add to a person’s identity, and that the double standard exists within slang as well. Slang changes from generation to generation and from culture to culture. These new phrases create broad ways to express different feelings and even add to mainstream media. However, when credit is not given where credit is due, and creators continue to capitalize on the input of minority creators, then it enables things like digital blackface. Slang is one thing, creators are already stealing trends, songs, and dances, compositions made by Black creators to express their culture and identity. Overall, this article has helped me realize it is important to have sensibility when using marginalized slang, as it is a piece of someone's experience, culture, and identity.

Image Source: The Paisano