Langues & Cultures
Volume 6, Numéro 4, Pages 424-439
2025-12-25
Don’t Be So Vanilla! Decoding The Sociolinguistic Alchemy Of Algerian’s Gen Z Identities In Digital Spaces
Authors : Babou Amina .
Abstract
This article examines the linguistic innovations of Generation Z through an analysis of slang terms such as "delulu," "cooked," "vanilla," "glow-up," and "looksmaxxing. Through a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative research techniques, the study canvasses how these terms function as tools for identity construction, social critique, and community building in digital spaces. As digital natives, Gen Z's linguistic practices reflect their position to redefine resilience, authenticity and belonging in an era defined by swift technological shift and global uncertainty. By dissecting the duality, irony, and contextual adaptability embedded in these terms, the scrutiny spells out Gen Z’s sui-generis approach to communication—one that intermingles humor, self-awareness, and social commentary. The analysis further probes appearance-focused terms like "glow-up" and "looksmaxxing" which demonstrate Gen Z's paradoxical relationship with visual culture. Their language often employs hyperbolic humor and self-deprecation as mechanisms to navigate existential challenges, such as anxiety or economic instability. Ultimately, the findings disseminate the complex interplay between online communication, identity construction, and cultural representation among Algerian Arab youth. These insights illuminate how language adapts within digital spaces to negotiate multiple identities in a rapidly changing world.
Keywords
Algerian youth ; digital communication ; Generation Z ; identity construction ; linguistic innovation
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