adminIt is the colloquial language we are talking about here. We are no longer living in the Shakespearean era where colloquial vocabulary was their vernacular (more like their mother language) and it was normal to the people as they would understand without a hassle.
The world is fast becoming teen’s powerhouse which is now action-packed with kids packages coming in different forms such as dressing, haircuts and vocabulary, to mention but just a few.
Slang vocabulary being the talking point, there is nothing to express against the loving youths, but the emphasis is on how the codes of conduct have abruptly broken up vocabulary wise!
Unfortunately, most of today’s teens who happen to be in school or colleges will learn the need for proper vocabulary the hard way and this is a situation when one enters into an exam room full of shorthand and the so called “slang” in his or her mind.
I have no idea what is the meaning of this stinging behaviour. If words were music, yes, to accept remixes would be ideal, now words from English, Shona to Ndebele have been remixed in so many different ways, derogatory, offending or laughable.
If they were degree holders, one would recommend them to invent new dictionaries of their own.
What worries most is the meaning and content of the words they are busy changing pronunciation to suit their awkward styles.
They are shamefully excited about it though. If one for the first time dares to listen to their conversations it would be a shocking and embarrassing moment to see how the youths are trying to turn language structures into venom.
Words are being read from the last letter going backwards, the sound makes sense to those who understand, but I doubt if the elders are cool with it as it is now a hobby within teen circles and those grown-up individuals who are “wild” by nature.
Bindura University Science and Technology student Elton Musita said all youths should be taught the importance of vocabulary in public and the societies at large as it depicts someone’s status.
“Our little brothers and sisters have gone out of bounds. I’m not attacking them, but I’m condemning the way they are changing their vocabulary. It seems as if they are now obsessed and cannot do any better if we don’t address such issues to curb the problem. As their elder brother I should unfold and address the importance of causality for this will help them for the rest of their lives once they follow the right direction,” he said.
Teachers and lecturers always say spoken English is far much different from written English but if one can speak good English or any other language properly it helps shape individuals’ skills for the good.
Hope this piece will help them understand and awaken those who are ready to curdle lavishly. Interestingly, words such as, father, mother, uncle have got new versions these days. I don’t know if all fathers would want the title “baly” (father) or the mothers to be called “quans” as these youths call them.
Elderly people are saying slang is now viral and has in recent years affected their children’s performance in schools, no wonder why there are reports of poor results.
Fortune Matambo, a second-year marketing student at the University of Zimbabwe, said what teenagers were trying to do was not viable in Zimbabwe.
“Let me take a swipe at all youngsters and whoever is supporting such dirty stuff that has gone viral. One thing they don’t realise is that all they are trying to do does not pay here in Zimbabwe,” said Matambo.
Seriously, let those who dare to buy the idea of curbing viral slang join me to help the young leaders of tomorrow do away with the “stinging” vocabulary.
Online Reporter