Speaking in Slanguages: An analysis of linguistic creativity
Elizabeth Harris
In 1983 the birth of the Internet allowed users of communication networks to create their own linguistic shorthands. But it wasn’t until 1991 that the Internet was born and subsequently became a global hub for connection and discourse. Today we spread communicative short hands on social media — otherwise known as slang. Youth communities fluidly navigate and create a complex set of new written records that they command. This sociolinguistic phenomenon continues to evolve in personal and sociocultural domains.
The creation of these non-standard expressions in language arise through the concept of standardization. The study examines slang and informalisms in language as they occur within digital and physical communities. Using a cross disciplinary approach, I utilized design research and experimentation methodologies to bring new insight to the relevance of linguistic creativity in our everyday interactions.
Slang Ads
This experimental design was conducted as a result of research about language informalities and slang in advertising. Through my research, I have discovered a pattern regarding slang usage for several brands. Companies like McDonalds, Target, Uber Eats, and Burger King have and continue to use pop-culture references and informalities to communicate with their audience. However, high-end brands choose to communicate with their consumers in a more conservative manner and with more muted and simple visuals. In an attempt to challenge the “safe” design of high-fashion brands, I manipulated physical and digital magazine advertisements using a risograph effect and included slang to communicate the ad message.
Slang Encyclopedia
This experiment was part of a multi-step cultural probe. The exercise asked participants to come up with new slang words, and then use the a- z grid to spell out the word letter by letter using colorful yarn. This in turn created a visual representation of those words. This corpus of slang was then turned into a book that was designed in a sterile and simplistic aesthetic to create juxtaposition.
Wurd (capstone)
Experimentation and the freedom to create has played a critical role in my thesis. Humans often repurpose and resurface existing words, and we also create new words. For my capstone, I wanted to create an engaging activity that would easily prompt people to be creative with slang in a fun and casual setting.Wurd (capstone)
Wurd is a game created to spark linguistic creativity. This version of the game is on a digital app. The game is played with others and aims to promote the creation of new slang through healthy competition. Anyone can think of new words with new definitions, but it means nothing if it is not shared and applied in daily vocabulary by others. The game forces players to interact with one another and have conversations about the words and definitions being made up during the game. This way, the slang being created will seem validated and relevant, and maybe even used going forward!