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The evolution of language through social media

The evolution of language through social media

Al Jazeera15-06-2025

From Shakespeare's eloquent soliloquies to Gen Z's rapid-fire abbreviations, language is evolving as quickly as the world itself. Driven by social media, globalisation, and shifting cultural norms, the way we speak is constantly being rewritten. We explore how emerging linguistic trends reflect how younger generations connect with their world, and whether these changes threaten native languages and cultural identities.
Presenter: Stefanie Dekker
Guests:
Hayat al-Khatib – Professor of applied linguistics, Arab Open University – Lebanon
Jonas Fine Tan – Linguistics student, Oxford University
Oliver Carter – Linguistics content creator

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