The Difference in the Use of Language between the Young and the Old Generation - Research Proposal Example

 The Difference in the Use of Language between the Young and the Old Generation Introduction This paper examines the difference in the use of language between the old and the young generation. The idea about the variation of language in reference to age, which defines the generation gap, tends to be obvious. It is evident that the old generation tends to differ with the young generation in their use of language when they speak. This topic is necessary in the study of language as it illustrates how the language barrier tends to affect communication between the young generation and the old generation (Cissna & Keating, 2007). The purpose of the study This study will focus on the difference in the use of language between the young and the old generation. The difference in language use between the young generation and the old generation arises from factors such as; difference in perspectives between the two generations. The other factor is the difference in the topics that are normally discussed by people belonging to the two generations, and stereotypes also contribute to this difference in language use between the young and the old generation. It is evident that the taboos that people of the old generation were exposed to influence their use of language; they are normally formal in their use of language (Fletcher, 2007). Stereotypes also influence the difference in the use of language between the young generation and the old generation in that; the perceptions of people belonging to the young generation towards people belonging to the old generation results to a difference in the use of language between the two generations. People belonging to the young generation think that the old are normally slow, in terms of thought, and may not be aware of the modern subjects they normally discuss. This may result to a difference language use between the two generations because; people belonging to the young generation tend to use slang in their conversation with the belief that it makes their conversation more entertaining. However, this form of language is normally perceived by people belonging to the old generation as rude and disrespectful. These expectations, therefore, influence the difference language between the two generations (Gibb, 2008). The other factor that results to a variance in the use of language amid the young generation and the old generation is the generational perspective. In this instance, it is evident that people who lived during World War 2 and the Great depression, tend to be formal in their use of language, this is because of the belief instilled in them that the use of language contributes to respect. However, there is a generation referred to as the Baby Boomers who tend to exhibit a communication style that tends to be more personal. The other generation is generation X that exhibits little formality in their use of language. Therefore, it is true to state that the generational perspective also influences the difference in language use between the two generations (Hayes, 2003). The change in technology, which led to, the introduction of computers, phones and social media have also led to a difference in language use between the young and the old generation. The change in technology has normally led to a generational communication style, which has also affected the language of persons belonging to the young generation. Technology has contributed to the use of slang by people of the young generation, resulting to variation in the language used by people of the old generation that tends to be restrained and formal (Day, 2007). However, the difference in the use of language between the old and the young generation has also been accompanied by some advantages. It is believed that the difference in the use of language tends to bridge the gap between the two generations. It is evident that for there to be a difference between these two generations, it is essential that a difference in the communication style arises, which is evident in the language used. It is also evident that the difference in language use between the young generation and the old generation helps in the creation of dialogue between people belonging to these generations, with the intention of learning the language used by the other generation. For example, persons belonging to the old generation are likely to show interest in learning slang, which commonly used by the young generation in their communication. In doing so, the young generations are also likely to learn the importance of using formal language when communicating. It is this difference language use that helps the young generation to understand when they can use slang and when they can use the formal language (Goodman, 2006). The difference in the use of language between the young generation and the old generation leads to the understanding of the natural hierarchy between generations. This is vital as it creates a difference between the two generations. The difference in the use of language between the young and the old generation also influences the convergence or divergence of language by the speaker depending on the audience. For example, it is evident that a person of the young generation speaks to a person of the old generation; they normally try to put together their language in a manner that fits their audience. This also applies to the old generation, who diverge their language with the intention of being friendly, or to enhance an understanding between the two parties (Thang, 2001). Questions 1. What factors influence the difference in the use of language between the young and the old generation? 2. How does technology influence the difference in the use of language between the young and the old generation? 3. What are the effects of stereotypes on the difference in the use of language between the young and the old generation? 4. What are the negative impacts of the difference in the use of language by the young and old generation? 5. Discuss the positive impacts of the difference of the use of language by the young and the old generation. References Cissna, K. & Keating, S. (2007): Speech Communication and Antecedents of perceived confirmation. The Western Journal of Speech Communication, 43, 48-60. Day, A. M. (2007). Trading places: Problematizing the reverse ranking discourse of older worker-younger boss relationships. Florida Communication Journal, 36(2), 77-89. Einwiller, S. A., & Kamins, M. A. (2008). Rumor has it: The moderating effect of identification on rumor impact and the effectiveness of rumor refutation. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 38(9), 2248-227. Evensen, D. (2007): The Generation Gap. Quill, 95(2), 30-34. Fletcher, Susan K. (2007): "Intergenerational Dialogue to Reduce Prejudice: A Conceptual Model", Journal of Intergenerational Relationships. Gibb, J. (2008): Defensive communication. The Journal of Communication, (XI), 141-148. Goodman, M. (2006): Corporate communication practice and pedagogy at the dawn of new millennium. Corporate Communication: An International Journal, 11 (3), 196-213. Hagestad, G. O. and Uhlenberg, P. (2005). The Social Separation of Old and Young: A Root of Ageism. Journal of Social Issues 61:2 (343-360). Hayes, C.L. (2003). An observational study in developing an intergenerational shared site program: Challenges and insights. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships 1:1 (113-132). Thang, L.L. (2001). Generations in touch: Linking the old and young in a Tokyo neighborhood. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. Appendix The Survey This is a survey conducted, in order to; determine the difference in the use of language between the young and the old generation. This will help in determining the effects of the difference in the use of language between the young and the old generation. 1. Which form of language is common among the young generation? 2. Which form of language is commonly used by people belonging to the old generation? 3. What was your childhood language? 4. Which language do you use when speaking to your age mates? 5. Which language do you use when speaking to your family members? 6. Which language do you use in the neighborhood? 7. Which language do you use in school? 8. Which articles do you read? Why? 9. Describe the language you use when communicating to friends on social media. 10. What language would you use when responding to questions in an interview or an exam? 11. Do you prefer communicating using the formal language? Why? 12. Do you prefer using slang when communicating? Why? 13. Which language would you use when addressing an old person? 14. How many languages have you learnt since you were a child? 15. Which is your preferred language? 16. Why do you prefer the language to the other languages learnt? 17. What are the advantages of using this language? 18. What are the disadvantages of using this language? 19. Which groups of people understand the language you like using? 20. Is this language acceptable to other people with whom you interact? 21. What makes you want to you this language when communicating? 22. Describe the language used by the old in your surrounding when they communicate? 23. Do you find the language preferable? Why? 24. What language do the old people in your surrounding use when communicating with you? 25. What are the advantages of the language used by the old people in your surrounding when communicating? 26. What are the disadvantages of the language used by the old people in your surrounding when communicating? 27. What language do you use when communicating to children in your surrounding? 28. What are the differences in the language used by the young and the old in your surrounding when communicating? 29. What contributes to the differences in the language used by people belonging to these two groups? 30. Who do you prefer communicating with and why? Data Collection, Presentation and Analysis The study was intended to evaluate of the differences in the use of language between the young and the old generation. A group twenty university students were selected for the study. Data was collected from ten male students and ten female students. They were interviewed on the languages they are familiar with and the languages the use in communication. To obtain the differences in the languages used by the old generation, the students were also interviewed on the language used by the old people in their surroundings. The questionnaires were used in conducting the interviews. The results revealed that there were factors that contributed to the difference in the use of language by the young and the old generation. The analysis of data reveals that factors such as; stereotypes, technology and the generation gap contribute to the difference in language use between the young and the old generation (Hagestad & Uhlenberg, 2005). Conclusion In conclusion, the difference in the use of language by the young and the old generation is influenced by different factors. Such factors include; the generation gap, the difference in perspectives, stereotypes, and technology. The difference in the use of language between the young and the old can be advantageous or disadvantageous. One of the disadvantages includes the lack of understanding between the two generations. However, it also creates a natural hierarchy between the young and the old generation, which is essential (Evensen, 2007). Read More