Decoding Algospeak: Understanding the Secret Language of Trolls and Cyberbullies
In a lively conversation on TikTok, linguist and TikToker Adam Aleksic discussed the impact of algorithms and social media on language development in the internet age with host Flora Lichtman. The conversation, which was not solely for the purpose of promoting Adam's upcoming book "Algospeak: How Social Media is Transforming the Future of Language," touched on various proposed words and their potential to catch on[1][2].
Listeners eagerly shared made-up words with Adam, who evaluated their likelihood of becoming part of mainstream language. Although the conversation did not delve into the book "Algospeak" in detail, it did highlight the rapid transformation of language that the book explores[3].
Adam emphasised the significance of studying Gen Alpha slang, noting that the evolution of language is no longer driven by organic, long-term cultural shifts but is now fundamentally shaped by the invisible hand of social media algorithms that create fast, cyclical, and highly adaptive linguistic change[1][3][4].
During the conversation, Adam pointed out several key ways social media influences language evolution and Gen Alpha slang:
- Algorithmic Amplification: Platforms like TikTok and Twitter use algorithms that promote content based on engagement, causing slang words to explode in usage rapidly from niche communities to mainstream audiences[1].
- Euphemism and Linguistic Innovation: To evade algorithmic censorship or moderation, users constantly create new euphemisms or coded language, which pushes continual innovation in slang and even grammar[1].
- Cultural Identity and Accent Shaping: Social media influences how accents develop or disappear, and how grammar rules are bent online, reflecting shifting social norms and identity expressions among Gen Alpha and younger users[1][2].
- Virality of Language: Memes, aesthetics, and slang trends emerge quickly, often tied to specific subcultures or online influencer communities. Adam examined this through examples like the "-core" suffix in influencer aesthetics or the viral slang terms fueled by internet culture[2].
- Social Interaction Impact: Online slang doesn't just stay online; it shapes how young people communicate offline, recreating social norms and expectations around language itself[4].
In essence, Algospeak reveals that the evolution of Gen Alpha slang is a living, viral system rapidly responding to platform dynamics and user creativity[1][3][4].
- The conversation on TikTok, centered around the impact of algorithms and social media on language development, provided a platform for Adam Aleksic to demonstrate how technology, particularly social media, significantly influences entertainment, culture, and linguistic innovation.
- As the conversation progressed, it became evident that technology, particularly social media platforms like TikTok, plays a crucial role in the rapid transformation of language, shaping entertainment and even shaping Gen Alpha's slang and accent, as well as influencing offline communication patterns.
