Decoding your teen's language
November 23, 2023 Peer Relationship
Parents
The language of young adolescents has undergone a rather unusual evolution over the last 30 years in the Montreal area. A similar change is occurring in other major cities, attributable to recent waves of immigration and the emergence of the Internet.
The change in vocabulary is quite specific to adolescence, alongside all the changes that young people undergo during this period.
Why is my teen's language changing?
Desire for independence
One of the changes that occurs during this period is their desire for independence. This explains why teenagers create a language that only they can understand. Using a language of their own enables them to communicate with each other without the adults (parents, teachers, etc.) around them being able to fully understand them, thus reinforcing their sense of independence..
Desire to fit-in and belong
A sense of belonging is gradually created when a number of people share the same values, goals, experiences, or language. Since the search for identity is at its peak during adolescence, it makes sense for teenagers to want to belong to a group, clique, or gang.
Technically, since their friends experience the same realities as they do, like high school, anxiety, interpersonal difficulties, and a shared language, young people gradually begin to develop a strong sense of belonging with their friends.
A language for teens
This way of speaking offers young people a space in which they can be creative and conjure up new words and expressions and make them meaningful. Their vocabulary then becomes a kind of code in which they alone understand each other and are able to communicate. This vocabulary then becomes as much a means of distinguishing themselves, creating a sense of belonging, or reinforcing their cultural identity.
A sentence like “I was going to hang out with a guy, but he didn't show up” becomes “I was going to chill with a patnè, but he flaked out on me.”
Where does this language come from?
Ethnocultural influence
A primary factor behind the change in young people's language is the presence of linguistic diversity in the Quebec landscape. This cultural richness, especially in high schools, enriches exchanges between teenagers and creates fertile ground for the creation of new terms and expressions.
The use of English, Spanish, Creole, Arabic or other languages is added to French, giving young people a distinct identity.
For example, many Creole words such as Giou (good), Rancer (to leave a person in the lurch), Bahay (thing) are being added to the lexicon of young people, especially those from the Haitian community.
The influence of the media (music, social networks)
The media also has a huge influence on the way young people express themselves. Social networks, for example, allow the emergence of new fashions or trends that can impact teen vocabulary.
Music, and more specifically Montreal rap, has also played a major role in the development of the language used by young people, given the importance of the hip-hop scene in Quebec culture.
How do you react as a parent?
Normal Adolescent Developmental Milestone
It is normal for adolescents to question their identity and to feel a certain need for belonging and independence, during which there is a certain distance from the family environment.
It is a period of their lives that involves several challenges and changes in which parents continue to play a very important role. However, teens give more time and energy to their circle of friends and place more importance on their opinions.
Putting aside your prejudices
It's normal for parents to wonder about the words their children use. On the other hand, parents need to look beyond their own prejudices and try as much as possible to open up a discussion with their children, in order to understand the meaning they attribute to the expressions they use.
The use of more vulgar words or expressions by teenagers is not necessarily linked to bad friends or a bad influence from their friends.
So, it's important to keep an open mind with your child and offer room for communication to discover their world. Young people are usually open to explaining their expressions as long as they don't feel judged, and this also gives them the opportunity to be the expert on their subject and share their knowledge with you.
If you'd like to learn more about the subject, here's a series of podcasts as well as a series of articles that may help you learn a little more!
For parents (in French) :
References (in French)
Brunet, L’adolescence : l’étape des bouleversements
Université Laval, Le sentiment d’appartenance
Université McGill, Étude sur la création du sentiment d’appartenance de jeunes Montréalais.e.s racialisé.eés membres de la communauté d’un studio d’enregistrement Hip Hop
Université du Québec à Montréal, Description du lexique appartenant au vernaculaire des jeunes adultes de 17 à 25 ans habitant dans les quartiers Est de Montréal
