Gen Z Chat Language: A Discourse of Violence and Discrimination

Abstract

Language plays a crucial role in human communication, serving as the primary medium through which individuals express thoughts and ideas. Language is in a continuous state of change, evolving to accommodate the shifting needs of its users. As societies develop and cultural experiences diversify, linguistic structures and vocabularies undergo modification. Several factors contribute to language change, including social interaction, technological progress, and lifestyle shifts. The rapid advancement of technology has had a profound impact on people worldwide, particularly those born between 1995 and 2014, commonly identified as Generation Z. The widespread adoption of social media has contributed to significant changes in language they use. This paper aims to discuss how the Gen Z chat language has evolved into a language of violence and discrimination. It also tries to prove how Gen Z chat language contributes to racial discrimination using real life examples from the Kerala context. The paper aims to showcase that just like how apocalyptic literature foregrounds the hope that may arise after the foreboding horror, the Gen Z chat language will also finally evolve into a constructive language rather than a destructive one.