New words and phrases frequently enter the English dictionary, a trend largely attributed to social media. While historically, male writers like Shakespeare and Dr. Seuss are credited with inventing words, sociolinguists note that teenage girls, not famous authors, have a significant impact on language evolution. Women lead up to 90% of linguistic changes and are often ahead of men by a generation, according to William Labov, who is a renowned American linguist. In the digital age, women continue to shape language, with Oxford's 2023 word of the year runners-up like "situationship" and "Swiftie" originating from women. "Goblin mode," Oxford's 2022 word of the year, traces back to a woman's tweet in 2009. While pinpointing the origin of new words is challenging, experts note that young girls are typically early adopters of emerging language trends, actively propelling linguistic changes forward.

Historical and Modern Media Contributions

In the fascinating world of language evolution, women have consistently been the trailblazers, embracing linguistic changes faster than men across history. From the erasure of archaic terms like “ye” to the modernization of phrases such as “mine eyes” to “my eyes,” women have been at the forefront of lexical innovation. Even Queen Elizabeth I was a linguistic trendsetter, opting for “does” over “doth” in her correspondence. This phenomenon extends beyond real-life figures to fictional characters like those in the iconic TV show ‘Friends’. Analysis shows that female characters like Rachel, Monica, and Phoebe were more likely to use modern intensifiers like “really” and “so” compared to their male counterparts. This linguistic leadership by women is attributed to their social awareness, larger social circles exposing them to diverse language, and the role of caregivers, where boys often learn language from their mothers.

Why do women often lead in language evolution? 

Linguists speculate several reasons, although definitive answers remain elusive. Women may possess heightened social awareness or larger social circles, contributing to their linguistic influence. Additionally, neurobiological factors could play a role, although these connections are not fully understood. One notable observation is that men typically lag behind in language changes, often trailing by a generation, as highlighted in a 2009 study. This delay can be attributed to resistance against female-associated speech patterns, like vocal fry(1) or uptalk(2), and historical gender roles where women primarily cared for children. Despite occasional ridicule or dismissal of their linguistic innovations, women have consistently driven language evolution, challenging stereotypes and contributing significantly to linguistic diversity and dynamism.

Are teenage girls ruining the language?

Texting trends, often criticised as indicative of a decline in language standards, are actually part of the natural phenomenon known as "linguistic drift," according to Ashley Dean's insightful 2019 article "Teens Aren’t Breaking Language, They’re Adding to it." Professor Kira Hall from the University of Colorado Boulder highlights a unique aspect of current language evolution: it's a collective effort involving a broader population, not just scholars or prominent figures dictating language changes. Teenagers, more than ever, are at the forefront of driving language evolution, especially given the visibility of their communication styles across various online platforms.

However, this increased prominence of teen language in society has also sparked fear among adults. There's a concern that younger generations may not be learning traditional literacy skills or understanding standard language usage, leading to perceptions of social backwardness. Anecdotes about punctuation, like the perceived passive aggression of using a full stop (period), further illustrate this generational linguistic shift. 

Despite fears of language decay, evidence suggests that teenagers are not causing language deterioration but rather contributing to its richness and adaptability. The notion that the next generation lacks proper writing and punctuation skills is a misconception. Rather than causing deterioration, this engagement showcases language's resilience and ability to evolve, highlighting its adaptability. 

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Footnotes:

(1):  Vocal fry refers to a low-pitched, creaky sound produced during speech when the vocal cords vibrate irregularly, creating a raspy or crackling quality. It often occurs at the end of sentences or phrases and has been associated with informal speech patterns, particularly among young adults.

(2): Uptalk, also known as high rising terminal (HRT) or rising intonation, is a speech pattern where the pitch of the voice rises at the end of a sentence, making it sound like a question. This speech pattern is often associated with uncertainty, seeking affirmation, or conveying a conversational tone.

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References:

National Geographic | Smithsonian | LinkedIn | CPR News | The University of Chicago | Lingref