Slanguage Your Partner in Navigating 21st Century Casual English Verbal Communication
September 2021
PRIDE <3
Letter from the ed I
n this issue, we are glad to introduce p backgrounds and communities by fe language expressions they use. The magaz four parts, highlighting a specific language ph a certain group: millennials, the LGBTQIA+ c and the conyos. Since a lot of new and unf emerged in a relatively short period of time, it i become familiar with what these words mean and possible miscommunication. Furtherm aims to help you navigate through 21st centu presenting you the meaning and context behin common contemporary words that would help intersectoral and intercultural communicator w of the language in its diversity.
#SELFIEEEE
HERE @ STARBS!
Lastly, we hope to educate people across g the value of these distinct language phen communication by bridging gaps formed by ge barriers. With these in mind, come and join u a journey of transforming miscommunicatio conversations!
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*all sources are legally grabbed from unsplash.com which grants an irrevocable worldwide copyright license to download and use media taken from their website
Millenn-y’all:
Your Guide in Everything Millennial (and Gen-Z as well!) The pace of the world has rapidly changed over the past few decades and still continues to do so. We are now seeing the incarnation of what once was science fiction in front of our own eyes as technologies that were deemed impossible before are now being made. Along with it, the fabric of language itself has undergone constant imperative evolutions as people from different cultures mingle with each other, exchanging ideas and notions as they interact. For better or worse, English underwent a metamorphosis, escaping from the cocoon that tried to restrain and diversifying in the process. The transfiguration of the language, though, was almost instantaneous, and of course, it was antagonistic to people who were not able to keep up with the changes, nor have the resources to do so. Older folks might experience difficulty in understanding why Millennials and GenZs make casual written communication as expressive as possible by using emojis and gifs that seem to convey more ideas than plainly written texts following standard scholastic English grammar. On the other hand, even I would admit
experiencing confusions regarding idioms and acronyms I am not familiar with. The differences are subtle, and it’s these little things that make us stumble in modern casual written communication. However, fret no more! As modern versions of English are being used in casual communication more often, we thought that it would be helpful to have something that would assist you in navigating modern casual English. We have made this manual to help the youth and the young-at-hearts to better understand the emergence of 20th to 21st century English as a distinct and peculiar language phenomenon. We will try to illustrate how diverse this phenomenon is inside an enchiridion that contains a catalog of several unique contemporary English expressions while categorizing it into several subgroups: millennial social media slangs and acronyms, LGBTQ slangs, gamer slangs, and the popular conyo language. As you read this, we wish to impart awareness that leads to inclusivity, and most necessarily, to help you become an effective intercultural and intersectoral communicator in this rapidly changing world.
Slanguage
SML?
Social Media Language Living in a 21st century society where almost everything is controlled by technology and social media, most forms of communication are dependent on internet connection and can be accessed through our screens. In addition to this circumstance, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to stay at home and avoid social gatherings - which means that the use of social media for communication has been a necessity for work, school, and other essential purposes. With this, social media slangs and acronyms have increased, to the point where I can no longer decode their meaning. These can also be called textspeak which is a form of written language used in text messages and other digital communications, characterized by many abbreviations and typically not following standard grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style. From what I have observed, the use of social media slang and acronyms became a standard way of communication for most people in the population of Generation Z. When a new slang starts to become popular, suddenly, almost everyone on social media is using it. There are times where the popularity of a slang will only be on for weeks, while there are times where the popularity will be carried on for months until it subconsciously becomes a normal way of communicating. People who constantly use slang and acronyms are aware that these are part of informal speech, but they continue to use them for entertainment, to lighten the mood, and probably because they are too lazy to move their fingers and type. Personally, I like using social media slang and acronyms because they can save time from typing, but let us always make sure that the person who we are communicating with understands what they mean. Others say that acronyms sound insincere, ingenuine, and inappropriate - probably because the situation is too important to only use acronyms in expressing feelings. So let us also be mindful of our surroundings before dropping words or phrases that are not appropriate for the moment. These social media slang and acronyms can be fun to use, maybe too much fun, and anything that is too much is also not good - so let use these in moderation for appropriate functions and events.
SOCIAL MEDIA SLANG Here are some examples of social media slang and acronyms. How many of these are you aware of the meaning? How many of these you didn’t even know existed? Lmk! OK, BOOMER - When dismissing someone older
(most commonly from the Baby Boomer generation), millennials and Gen Z-ers have taken to throwing out an “ok, boomer”
CAP/NO CAP - To “cap” is essentially to lie; used to
convince someone of the legitimacy of your statement; can simply send them the baseball cap emoji
CANCELLED - If someone says something scandalous
or turns out to be a problematic individual, they may be pronounced “cancelled”
CLOUT CHASING - primarily referring to influencers’ fame; someone who is a “chasing clout” is simply after more followers or media engagements
OOF - an exclamation used to sympathize with someone else's pain or dismay, or to express one's own
YEET- an exclamation of enthusiasm, approval, triumph, pleasure, joy
ACRONYMS: AFAIK - AS FAR AS I KNOW IDK - I DON’T KNOW TBH - TO BE HONEST HBU - HOW ABOUT YOU? RN - RIGHT NOW FR - FOR REAL LMK - LET ME KNOW TTYL - TALK TO YOU LATER
I'LL BRB = I'LL BE RIGHT BACK! TYT =TAKE YOUR TIME!
LGBTQ SLANG “The New Swag”
‘Swag,’ a popular alternative to the word ‘cool.’ This expression has a disputed origin, with one myth proliferating and entering the general mind: an acronym invented in the 60s by homosexual men that read out as “Secretly We Are Gay.”Nowadays, such a term has been made
mostly obsolete—in many societies—with the massive social movement that is the LGBTQ. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, these people’s sexualities and their many subcultures are what makes up the group that primarily advocates for gender inclusivity. With their efforts, we have reached a much more free and expressive world than ever before. So, with all this in mind, it is important to learn some slang used in their community to help further their endeavors and do your own part supporting them—be an ally. What is an ally? Well, this label is for persons who are not LGBTQ but uses the privilege endowed (maybe from those less accepting) to “stand up and speak out even when the people they’re allying for aren’t there,” a definition given by Robin McHaulen who is the executive director of True Colors. Although their presence and impact have been seen in many places, there are still a sizable portion of our race who denounce the idea of not conforming to traditional gender roles. The hate is tangible, and real, from daily life to social media; emphasizing the importance of sticking out for them. This, combined with the fact that the general attitude of the LGBTQ is fun, should convince anyone who wishes to be an effective communicator to learn their culture and do some good in this world. To b e f ra n k , t h i s i s a ve r y complex but beautiful subject to tackle. It calls for freedom, but requires ultimate tolerance—which many people are still not ready to provide. We may not blame them, however, as we do not know their background and upbringing. What we do know though is the struggle and the hearts of those who are part of the LGBTQ, they just want to express their love the best way they can. Effective communication is not too different from this, and knowing the context of a community can greatly improve your understanding and way of sharing ideas with them. Be open-minded, be aware of what others go through, be loving, be an ally; express yourself the best way you can and experience humans at their best.
Here are some sayings coined by the LGBTQ that is “their own language.” Some may reflect the hardships dealing with our society, but using them may help them feel accepted and protected. SEXUAL ORIENTATION: This term i s p r e fe r r e d i n s t e a d o f “s e x u a l preference” because it implies that it is not easily changed. "It’s comprised of identity (I’m gay), behavior (I have sex with the same gender) and attraction (I'm sexually attracted to the same gender), and all three might not line up for all people." - Ryan Watson, a professor of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Connecticut. GENDER IDENTITY: This means how one feels and expresses their gender which may not need to align with norms. SLAY: An expression, sometimes pronounced in a prolonged manner on the Ys, that shows encouragement when someone is performing well. YA S : A fo r m o f ye s , b u t ca n b e pronounced as “yaaaaasssss.” Used to also show support for someone, you may even say queen after. SPILL THE TEA: A euphemism that is used to ask someone to share details on drama with you. PRONOUNS: Some common examples are She/Her, He/Him, They/Them.
These signal one’s gender, and using the appropriate one based on what they may communicate will affirm who they are. PANSEXUAL: Someone who may be attracted to all kinds of people, regardless of gender identity and sex (the label assigned at birth based on your body). ASEXUAL: Someone who does not fit to sexual expectations and standards. They may not desire pleasure, but still be attracted to someone. COMING OUT: The process by which an individual finds their own sexuality and gender identity to then accept it. GENDER DYSPHORIA: The mental distress when one feels that their gender identity is different from their biological gender. WHERE’S THE RECEIPTS: This one’s a two for one, it is used defensively when asking for evidence for an accusation. The clap back (clapping quickly after each syllable) doubles d ow n o n yo u r sta n c e a n d a d d s gravitas to your message; it may be used in other phrases as well.
Let's Talk (About)
Conyo
Neon balls and tusok-tusok the fishball? O-M-G! Those are just some of the many conyo terms we hear all the time. If you decide to search for the origin of the word conyo, you might be surprised. Conyo is a Spanish word that refers to female genitalia. It’s a typical vulgar Spanish term that locals use to accentuate a particular sentiment. However, in the Philippines, conyo is a language in which people speak Taglish – a mix of English and Filipino – in an exaggerated manner. Conyo language is usually used among the youth in the middle and upper classes. I have observed that many students who study at expensive colleges and universities use the conyo language in everyday conversations. Since it is prominent among wealthy people, it has become more than a language and has defined a social class. Conyo speakers are usually linked with having the latest gadgets, owning expensive belongings, and not knowing how to commute. Regardless of this stereotype, speakers who use this language may be demonstrating that they have limited knowledge of both languages and must code-switch, alternating between two or more languages in a single conversation. As I see it, conyo talk may seem cringe at first since it is usually spoken in a “maarte” way, but I think this is also a great effort from people who have a hard time speaking in Tagalog. Language has constantly been evolving and because of too much creativity, we were able to mix two languages usually used in our country. Conyo language may look absurd, but if the speakers find it easier to express their thoughts using conyo language, then there’s nothing wrong with it! Also, using the conyo language sounds fun at times, so why not join the bandwagon?
I have asked an upperclassman for some conyo phrases usually used in Ateneo, and here are some of them:
Parang like/like parang “College is so hard it’s like parang breaks do not exist!”
me also “You like neon balls? Me also!”
make + [tagalog verb] “Sorry, I can’t go out. I have to make aral for the quiz tomorrow pa eh.”
kasi like “Can you explain to me our topic earlier kasi like I didn’t understand most of it eh.”
DEIN/S
-Means hell no or no way “Do you like our blockmate?” “Deins, girl! No to blockcest.”
starbs -shortcut for starbucks “Wanna grab coffee sa starbs?”
the ULTIMATE Guide to the
Language of Gaming Gaming these days takes on many different forms, whether that be high budget games, independently developed g a m e s t h a t s h a ke u p t h e i n d u s t r y, competitive gaming that has become a sport unto itself, mobile gaming that allows more people than ever to play video games, or even just the classics still going strong to this day.
With the huge deal that video games are these days, it’s not particularly
When you delve deeper into the world of video games, you will see that there are also a lot of acronyms. Gaming is littered with these things so here are some examples. A huge amount of them are actually genres of games like: RPG - role-playing game MMORPG - massively multiplayer online role- playing game RTS - real-time strategy MOBA - multiplayer online battle arena Outside of genres we also have acronyms like: HP - health or hit points PVE and PVP - player versus an environment and player versus player respectively META - most effective tactics available NPC -non-playable character KDA - kill deaths assists Players also talk to one another in acronyms saying things like: GG - good game AFK - away from the keyboard DC - disconnect KS - kill steal
surprising that this subculture has created its own words, terminology, and languagelike most subcultures. Various words and terms have emerged from the realm of gaming. Some of these are completely new coinages while others are words using different classes, or just words given a new meaning. Altogether, many of these words have come about from being used in video games themselves to also being used in various contexts. With divisive multiplayer online gaming, people from all across the world have been playing with one another and they’re not only playing but talking too. This form of communication has brought about some incredibly interesting words and uses of language over the years.
There are also gaming terms that were just derived from words and given new meaning. Aggro - from the word aggravate, used as an adjective to describe when an enemy’s focusing attack on just one player. Grinding - to do the same repetitive tasks and missions over and over whether to reach a higher level or goal Feeding –When a player repeatedly loses or dies against the same opponent, causing that opponent’s power to increase in kind, they are said to be “feeding” the enemy. Smurf - used to refer to an experienced player who creates a new account for the purposes of being matched against inexperienced players for easy wins Salty - derisive term used to describe angry or frustrated opponents (i.e. “No need to get salty just because you got defeated.”) Ultimate – a character’s top attack or ability that typically deals extreme damage to opponents.
Some of the gaming slangs are also actually now being used outside the context of gaming, with different purposes or audiences. For example, the term grinding has also been used in the context of education, (i.e. grinding modules and lessons). The slang salty has also been part of our day-to-day conversations, (e.g. “Are you still salty about your ex?”) There are many other gaming slangs and terminology that have been passed down and integrated with our languages. These amazingly show h o w t h e meanings created within the world of gaming have been learned and shared reaching even the non-gamers.
As the years passed by, gaming got bigger and more language evolved until we have this wonderful lexicon we have today. As gaming grows further so do the words used in and around it. Who knows what weird and wonderful words and meanings the world of gaming will give us next.
Slanguage editorial board: ABRIGO, Patrick Jurrien BELTRAN, Patricia Gabrielle CRUZ, Kyla Mae MANANTAN, Stephanie SARCIA, Sean Patrick TABUNO, Shian Chrizel
references: 10 rules for the ultimate conyo conversations. (2020, March 9). PAGEONE. http://pageone.ph/10-rules-for the-ultimate-conyo-conversations/ Chris the English Teacher (2018, June 21). English gay slang [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/uEnk5IWyct8 Dastagir, A. E. (2021, July 27). LGBTQ definitions every good ally should know. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/06/15/lgbtq-glossary-slang-ally-learn- language/101200092/ Hanney, M. (2016, October 31). Video game terminology: the language of internet gaming slang. Kaplan International Languages. https://www.kaplaninternational.com/blog/fun-languages/eng/video- game-terminology-language-of-internet-gaming-slang Mikkelson, D. (2012, September 26). Fact check: did the word 'swag' originate as an acronym?. Snopes. https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/swag/ Sonja. (2020b, February 19). 10 English slang terms you need to know in 2020. EF GO Blog. https://www.ef.com/wwen/blog/language/10-english-slang-terms-you-need-to-know-in-2020 University of Illinois Springfield. (n.d.). Do's & don'ts - gender and sexuality student services. University of Illinois Springfield website. https://www.uis.edu/ gendersexualitystudentservices/students/ally-guide-uis/ally-guide-uis-dos-donts/ Valdeavilla, R. (2018, March 12). Conyo: the Philippine language that defined a social class. Culture Trip. https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/conyo-the-philippine-language-that-defined- a-social-class/ Young, M. (2018, December 6). Esports slang used by the pros - full list of esports terms. Bettingsite. https://www.bettingsite.org/blog/esports-slang-used-by-competitive-gaming-greats-6985/
*all sources are legally grabbed from unsplash.com which grants an irrevocable worldwide copyright license to download and use media taken from their website
Slanguage
September 2021
September 2021