This involves alterations in pronunciation, like changes in vowel sounds, consonant pronunciations, or stress patterns.

2. Word formation (morphological)

This involves modifications to word structure, such as changes in how words are formed (e.g., adding prefixes or suffixes)

3. ⁠sentence structure (syntactic)

This concerns alterations in sentence structure and grammar rules.

Slang has always been part of that process. In every era, informal language has emerged to reflect the values, humour, and identity of a particular group. For example, sailors in the 18th century had their own slang. So did jazz musicians in the 1920s, and teenagers in the 1980s. Slang has always been a tool for connection — a way for people to show they belong to a group, or to express ideas that formal language doesn’t quite capture.

But what’s changed in the 21st century is the speed and scale of how slang spreads. The internet has radically transformed the way we use and share language. In the past, slang evolved slowly, passed on through speech in small, local communities. Today, a word or phrase can go global within hours — thanks to memes, social media, and viral videos.

Terms like “rizz”, “slay”, or “no cap” gain popularity through platforms like TikTok and Twitch, often coined or popularised by content creators with large followings. These words reflect our modern values — confidence, authenticity, and individuality — especially among younger generations. They are often short, expressive, and emotionally charged, fitting the fast pace of online life.

But there are also deeper implications. Some terms, like “woke” or “cringe”, show how language can be politicised or reinterpreted. “Woke” began as a call for social awareness, but now carries both positive and negative connotations, depending on who’s using it. Meanwhile, “cringe” has been reclaimed by those who are proud to be different — even if others see them as awkward or strange.

This shows us something important: language doesn’t just reflect how we speak. It reflects what we value. Over time, we’ve moved from survival-based communication to expressions of identity, community, and even resistance. Today, language — especially slang — has become a way to navigate digital culture, express individuality, and form connection in a globalised world.

Of course, there are challenges. The rapid pace of change can be confusing or exclusionary. Not everyone understands the latest terms. But overall, this evolution is a sign of a living, adaptable language — one that continues to grow as we do.

• slang and abbreviated forms often lack nonverbal cues, leading to misunderstandings across different age or cultural groups.

• Messages can be misinterpreted or spark unintended conflicts.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/nov/14/using-abbreviations-in-messages-comes-across-as-idrc-study-finds

2. Decline in formal writing skills

• Overuse of internet slang can bleed into formal writing, weakening grammar and vocabulary.

• affects academic performance and professionalism.

https://journal.pubmedia.id/index.php/converse/article/view/3674

3. Context barriers

• Slang creates in‑group codes that exclude outsiders or newcomers, in schools and workplaces.

• fosters feelings of alienation and hinders effective collaboration.

- Great vowel shift in english (phonological) in which pronunciation of long vowels changed dramatically between the 14th and 16th centuries.

- ⁠”about” in the 1400s was abu:tә compared to now which is әbaUt

SYNTACTIC

- Word Order Shift from SOV — SVO I.e I you love to I love you

- loss of inversion in embedded question i.e early modern English “I wonder what does he want” to “I wonder what he wants” in modern English

MORPHOLOGICAL

- Regularisation of irregular verbs i.e from “holp” in early English to “helped” in modern English

- ⁠ Acronym and initialism usage as verbs i.e “DM me” (Direct Message) “I’ll PDF the file to you”