"Rachel Feltman: For Scientific American's Science Quickly, I'm Rachel Feltman. If you've ever heard a youth say skibidi and lamented the downfall of the English language, today's episode might surprise you. Our guest is Adam Aleksic, a linguist and content creator known online as the Etymology Nerd. He recently wrote a book called Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language, which explores how algorithms are changing the way folks communicate."
"It might feel like the rise of brain rot is literally rotting brains, but Adam argues that supposed Internet gibberish actually follows the same patterns humans have used to create language for thousands of years; the difference is just the speed and scale. And far from dumbing down the discourse these new words and phrases often crop up to serve important social functions."
Social media algorithms increase the speed and scale at which new words and phrases emerge and spread. Apparent internet gibberish often follows the same linguistic patterns humans have used for millennia to create vocabulary. Rapid coinages and altered usages frequently serve social functions like signaling group identity, humor, or critique rather than simply degrading discourse. Online linguistic communities trace these changes and document origins, showing continuity between historical language evolution and contemporary digital innovations. Understanding algorithmic influence clarifies why certain terms proliferate and how platform mechanics shape communicative norms.
Read at www.scientificamerican.com
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