How do memes influence young people's language?

According to Dr. Nguyen Thuy Diem, lecturer at Tay Do University (Can Tho), memes are just a spice. If they are abused and completely replace the Vietnamese language, it is truly a worrying problem.

In recent years, memes (a form of language using images, GIFs or videos instead of text to express emotions, sometimes to satirize a person or situation) have started to appear everywhere. From photos, short, witty sayings to trending clips, memes have gradually become a popular language in the way young people talk and express their emotions.

The fun and fast language of communication among young people

If memes were once just a means of entertainment, they have now become a "common language" for Gen Z and Alpha to communicate and share their emotions. Without the need for lengthy words, a photo with the phrase "Good Job" (NV) can replace the entire conversation. For example, to express surprise when having good luck, instead of composing a long paragraph, many young people just need to send a photo of themselves with a surprised face and the phrase "hit the jackpot". The recipient immediately understands the sender's intention.

Sitting next to each other, many young people choose to send memes via text message to express their feelings.

PHOTO: ILLUSTRATION BY AI

Memes are not just limited to images, but also spread into everyday language. The words "xin voa", "ca khia" and a series of English loanwords such as "xỉu up xì down"... all originate from internet culture and are strongly popularized thanks to memes.

Chan Hung (21 years old, living in Can Tho city) shared: "Talking with memes is both fun and fast. Instead of typing a long sentence, just a photo or a meme is enough for friends to understand what you mean."

It can be said that memes have contributed to bringing many positive values ​​to young people. First of all, memes help reduce stress in studying and working thanks to their humor, brevity and ease of reception. At the same time, memes play a role in connecting the community, creating a sense of harmony between young people and also a bridge between generations. If parents and teachers catch up and understand memes, the distance between conversations with children and students will become closer.

Instead of saying "shut up", young people use this meme to say what they want to say.

PHOTO: SCREENSHOT

In terms of language, memes help promote creativity and enrich vocabulary in life. In particular, many memes have promptly reflected social life, becoming a form of quick, close and easy-to-understand commentary. Thereby affirming the role of young people in shaping and spreading modern digital culture.

Meme abuse is a worrying problem

Besides its entertainment and creative value, meme culture also reveals many consequences for young people. The overuse of memes in communication makes the boundary between internet language and standard language increasingly blurred.

Many students bring memes into their tests or reports, reducing the seriousness of their studies. Not only that, memes are built from short, repetitive sentences, easily creating stereotyped expressions, impoverishing vocabulary and limiting the ability to think long-term.

Image of a young person expressing surprise at being lucky

PHOTO: SCREENSHOT

Because not everyone understands the "meme language", this phenomenon can also create a gap in communication between generations and make it difficult for young people to enter academic or professional environments. More worryingly, many memes are also satirical, disparaging or spread false information, which, if not controlled, will negatively impact the perception and behavior of a segment of teenagers.

Dr. Nguyen Thuy Diem, lecturer at the Faculty of Foreign Languages ​​- Social Sciences and Communications, Tay Do University, shared: "We should clearly realize that memes are just a spice, while Vietnamese is the main dish. If we abuse and completely replace the Vietnamese language, this is truly a huge loss and a worrying issue. Entertainment and creativity, but we must know how to balance to preserve the language and national cultural identity."

English loanwords like “xỉu up xì down” originated in internet culture and were popularized by memes.

PHOTO: ILLUSTRATION BY AI

According to Dr. Nguyen Thuy Diem, in order for memes to promote positive values ​​and limit negative consequences, young people need to be alert in their use. Memes can be a tool for entertainment, connecting friends and spreading social messages, but are only suitable in everyday situations or online environments. When entering into study, research or professional work, it is necessary to maintain pure Vietnamese and standard language. Content selection is also especially important, giving priority to creative, humorous and healthy memes, avoiding sharing images and words that are derogatory or misleading.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/meme-anh-huong-den-ngon-ngu-cua-gioi-tre-nhu-the-nao-185251015092414996.htm