Researchers from Moscow State Pedagogical University identified significant differences in the use and understanding of vocabulary between representatives of different generations. They discovered that language changes not only in terms of the emergence of new words, but also in terms of the perception and use of existing words.
Scientists conducted a series of experiments and surveys among young people (15-18 years old) and people over 60 years old. It turns out that word perception and use depend on age.
For example, older people interpret the word “red” in its original meaning, while closers interpret it as “healthy” or “beautiful.” The study also revealed changes in the emotional connotations of the words. Thus, young people no longer view “selfish” as sharply negative, and for them the concept of “petty” has lost its positive connotation.
Differences were also found in active vocabulary. To describe an overweight person, the Boomer generation more often uses the words “fat” or even “fat,” while the Zoomer generation prefers softer options such as “chubby” or “chubby.” And it turns out that some words, such as “supply” and “to be closer”, are almost unknown to young people.
The research disproved the common belief that a person speaks as he did during the formation of his language. Older people actively use words unknown in their youth: Internet, virtual, broker, riot police, as well as new fixed expressions such as “not very visible” or “guarantor of the constitution”. This shows that language formation continues throughout life, but slows down with age.
It also turned out that speech characteristics are determined not only by age, but also by belonging to social groups. For example, for closers, differences in outdated vocabulary knowledge are often associated with knowledge, and for older people, knowledge of certain terms is often associated with professional experience.
We have previously praised 10 simple words that zoomers don’t understand. Read about it here.
Source: People Talk
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
