This generation is lit: We stan the new AI tools translating Gen Z lingo!
In an overgeneralising definition, Generation Z is the demographic cohort born between 1997 and 2012. They are the first generation born into the Internet and digital technology as a central element of their lives. Their digital-native status so heavily influences Gen Z’s language usage that they even developed their unique vocabulary. There are even AI tools you can use to decode their language!
The generation of trendsetters: Gen Z has their own dictionary
Gen Z has created its unique language, which includes words and phrases specific to their generation, from cheugy to cringe or salty to yikes. These terms usually originate from popular culture. For example, the word ‘stan’ is used to describe someone who is a fan, and it is derived from Eminem’s song Stan (2000), while the term ‘bussin’ comes from African American slang and rap culture, meaning to dance but changes meaning in Gen Z lingo and means tasty.
However, popular culture is not the only source of inspiration for Gen Z when coining new terms or memes. They also create new words for situations specific to their generation. For example, they have a whole different dating lingo! Have you heard of the term ‘situationship’? If you are on TikTok, you probably have! It refers to an ‘undefined romantic relationship’. There are also ‘ghosting’, ‘wife-up’, ‘cuffing season’ and ‘pink flag’!
So their terminology snowballs to the extent that they even create their content on TikTok to explain the meaning of these terms to each other and older generations. Apart from their slang, Gen Z also has an attitude, as they are unapologetically themselves. For example, the TikTok trend “Gen Z being kidnapped” became viral in no time, and it perfectly displays the sassy attitude of the generation.
Gen Z lingo
Gen Z lingo also became a hot topic on Twitter a couple of years ago when a high school teacher, James Callahan, tweeted the Gen Z dictionary he created to keep up with his students’ slang. In the Insider’s article, the teacher picks his favourite word and describes his fascination with how language differs between generations: “It’s amazing to me how words generate new meanings depending on the generation,” he says.
Callahan says his favourite term from the dictionary is ‘snack’; “To a Gen X’er like myself, a snack is a small portion of food one would have between meals, like maybe a handful of Cheez-Its or some peanuts. However, to Gen Z, a snack is an attractive person or someone who looks good — it is used as a compliment. I find that fascinating but hilarious as well.”
AI is here to help: Gen Z translators you can use!
Gen Z Translator powered by AI was developed by Studio M64 to help bridge the communication gap between different generations. With the help of OpenAI, this tool can convert any given text into Gen Z slang and vice versa, with over 30,000 translations and counting. So if you’d like to communicate more effectively with this younger generation, you can write down what you’d like to say, “Would you like to go out and have fun tonight?” and get the Gen Z version “YO! Wanna hit up the party scene and get wild 2nite? Let’s turn up! #YOLO.”
The generational gap is stark on social media.
In one of our latest posts about the Millennial Pause, which refers to the split-second Millennials wait before they start talking in their videos, we mentioned how significant the generational gap is on social media. The Millennial Pause debate not only created a conversation around how Millennials have aged out of today’s internet culture, but it also drew attention to the behaviours of different generations and how a slight pause at the beginning of a video can have more meaning than we could ever imagine.
What’s poppin’ with all these new terms?
Understanding this tech-savvy generation’s language usage is vital for businesses and society as a whole, as it helps us better understand and connect with this rapidly growing age group. Additionally, brands need to decode current and upcoming generations’ values and communication styles to develop appropriate marketing campaigns and strategies appealing to these trendsetter new generations.
Also, this language is becoming prominent for an age group regardless of their gender, heritage, economic status and even which country they live in. This is because they are born connected to the rest of the world and are genuinely a generation living in the global village. Therefore this language is created and developed in a genuinely inclusive and omnipresent sphere, which will change the way we speak as we know it quite soon.
