Language is alive and in constant metamorphosis, especially after the emergence of new and fast technologies resulting in increasing computer-mediated communication (CMC). These changes bring with them new ways of using language, as well as language identity and ideological issues. In the book, Global perspectives on youth language practices, empirical research on the linguistic practices of youth from various contexts is presented by a variety of linguistic researchers, which sheds light on some of the terminological and contextual challenges alongside the commonalities. Even the use of the term youth language is analyzed in order to acknowledge its complexity. The book is divided into three parts with chapters presented by one or two researchers each. The chapters reflect the diversity of labels and contexts discussed about ‘youth language’ and the fuzziness of this categorization, presenting new perspectives and in some ways pressing its borders. In Part 1, ‘Words and patterns’, Chantal Tropea, Janika Kunzmann, José Antonio Sánchez Fajardo, Ignacio M. Palacios Martínez, Paloma Núñez Pertejo, Thabo Ditsele, and Alexandra Y. Aikhenvald present empirical findings regarding lexical and morphological choices made by young people from parts of Indonesia, Congo, United States, South Africa, and Brazil and virtual social networks such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms. The findings present some processes of linguistic change in youth languages, characterized by social, economic, gender, and age issues, as well as the difference between virtual and non-virtual language uses. In Part 2, ‘Specific purposes’, the chapters are related to the everyday use and specific purposes of African youth language practices in South African and Congolese young groups. Ellen Hurst-Harosh, Nico Nassenstein, Andrea Hollingtonm, Dennis Gengomoi Akena, Eyo O. Mensah, Christoph Holz, and Anna-Brita Stenström analyze interactions during conversational storytelling narratives and the expressions of humor in language and present humor as a relevant research field to studying youth language usage. Also, the use of youth language as a decolonial practice is discussed over the course of this section. In Part 3, ‘Ideologies and belonging’, Florian Busch & Maria Grazia Sindoni, Nico Nassenstein & Helma Pasch, Yusnita Febrianti & Nurenzia Yannuar, Nico Nassenstein & Helma Pasch, Yusnita Febrianti & Nurenzia Yannuar, Jill Vaughan & Abigail Carter, and Anne Storch relate to Parts 1 and 2 with the examination of the presence of ideologies and identities in youth language choices. Presenting different approaches, they analyze video conversations on Skype as well as text-based communicative practices on WhatsApp, employing the concept of mode-switching to highlight young communicators’ metapragmatic awareness. The semiotic and multimodal resources in digital spaces are the focus of this section. Linguistic expression is more than communication; rather it is a way of reinforcing one's identity among your peers and people outside one's social circle. Young people have their language identity marked by practice and media consumption.
This book intends to open different paths to youth language studies based on empirical data analysis collected from various parts of the world in order to understand youth language as a broader linguistic phenomenon.
