2007-02-16 03:56:11 · 15 answers · asked by oldtimer 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I know what you mean. My son is 17 and he uses words that used to have a totally different meaning than when I was his age. For instance, "gay" used to mean "happy". Then it meant "homosexual" (still does). Now, it also means "dumb" or "stupid". The word "lame" used to mean "an inability to walk". Now it means "stupid, unfair or ridiculous". The expression "it blows" used to mean that a wind was blowing. Now it means that something is "stupid or unfair". When you hear the word "sick", it used to mean that someone wasn't well. Now kids use it to mean that something is "awesome, cool, amazing". "Bad" often means "good", and the acronym "lol" used to mean "lots of love", but now means "laugh out loud". Yep, times they are a changin' and before long, we will need a translator just to communicate with those younger than us!
2007-02-16 04:08:05 · answer #1 · answered by Chimichanga to go please!! 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
All generations have different slang terms and/or phrases that are used. In the 70s words like "far out" and "groovy" were popular. In the 80s it was "dude" and "tubular" and "awesome". In the 90s "sweet" came along, "dude" and "awesome" re-emerged, and new sayings came about such as "all that" and "the bomb". Come 2000 terms such as "bling-bling" were used instead of diamonds or jewelry and the ever-popular "that's hot" by Paris Hilton. Grandparents from the 70s didn't understand their grandkids just like the new generation of grandparents and grandkids. It's a viscious circle. I hate to see what the terms are when I become a grandparent.
2007-02-16 04:22:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Vietnamese is my native language. I learned English when I went to school. I can also speak some Manchu, Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese Chinese, Mongolian, and some Hochdeutsch (High German). I can also speak little bit of Turkish, Russian, Albanian Levantine Syrian Arabic, and Korean.
2016-05-24 06:57:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they are learning to become independent from their parents and grandparents. Part of that, at the minute, is to use language in a way that is different from the rest of their family. I see it as quite a compliment that she uses that language with me, because it means she sees me as part of her group.
They'll grow up and start talking proper again at some stage :)
2007-02-16 04:50:49 · answer #4 · answered by betha 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My true desire is that everyone can speak and understand every language. But hey, I'm only dreaming. =P
2007-02-16 03:59:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chadders is talking through his hat,your English would not have been much different to your grand parents or even Great -grandparents.American influences and slang have come in recently in a relatively short period of time.This is not evolution,it's desicration.Words like cool and wicked have totally different meanings to when I was young...even these are probably out of date by now.Try to teach them proper English,keep correcting them when they are wrong..they hate that.Eventually though,some of it will stick.
2007-02-16 04:46:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
So learn their language. It'll be an interesting challenge for you. (Just don't try to speak it with them.)
2007-02-16 04:37:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As you probably did to your grandparents. Language evolves.
2007-02-16 03:59:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Immigration,poor education and general decline of discipline and expectations under New Labour have contributed to the lazy attitude towards language.
2007-02-16 04:12:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Be thankful that yours speak.
My 2 teenage sons grunt
2007-02-16 04:03:58 · answer #10 · answered by bearbrain 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋