Generation Alpha is our current high school and preschoolers born around 2010. Imagine that these kids have never seen a world without smartphones. To them, a tablet is as natural an object as a spoon or a book. They learn to spell on the screen, watch cartoons on their parents' phone and play games where they can communicate with other children from all over the world.
What are they different from their older brothers and Generation Z sisters? Zoomers still remember what it was like without TickTock or when the phone only had a ringer. And Alpha kids have grown up in a fully digital world. The language of this generation's children and teenagers is not formed in the schoolyard, but in games, social networks and streaming.
Where does this strange slang come from
Why do kids get their own words? It's simple: they spend a lot of time online. In games like Roblox or Fortnite, you have to communicate quickly. Hence short words and emoticons instead of phrases. In TikTok, trends change every week and new expressions come along with them.
When you hear your child say «That's a cringe!» or «He's got a cool rizz,» don't be alarmed. It's not a secret cipher against the parents - it's just how they communicate with each other. Communication with Generation Alpha kids is built on these words.
The most common words to remember
Here you’ll also what your kids are saying right now, and what that means:
- Vaibe is a mood or atmosphere. «Good vibe» = fun and cozy, «bad vibe» = awkward or sad.
- Krinj - when something is embarrassing to watch or listen to. «Mom, don't sing songs in front of my friends, that's kringe!»
- Imba is very cool, cool, cool. «The new phone is a total imba!»
- To volley - to do something unexpected or to show all your abilities. «I volleyed on a test - I got an A!»
- Rizz - charisma, the ability to please people. «Sasha has a good rizz - everyone is friends with him.
- Tilt - to get very angry or upset. «I tilted when I lost in a game.».
- Normis is an ordinary person, like everyone else. Sometimes people say with a slight sneer: «He is such a Normis - he only listens to pop music».
- A comforter is someone who is cozy and calm. «Masha is my comforter, she is always easy to be with.
- A sigma is a confident person who does not chase approval. The opposite of a normie.
- Altushka is a girl who loves bright clothes, unusual makeup and wants to stand out.
- Tubic is a guy who acts like a kid: cranky, unreliable.
- Masik is a kind, caring guy. The opposite of a tube.
These words live fast: today everyone says «rizz», tomorrow they'll come up with something new. Don't worry if you can't keep up with the trends - even teenagers themselves get confused!
How slang lives in school and at home
At school, slang is like a pass to the company. If a child knows the actual words, he is accepted as «his own». At recess it sounds: «What's your vibe today?», «Don't tilt because of a double». Teachers sometimes catch themselves thinking, «What does that mean?» - especially when those words get into essays.
At home, it's a different story. The kid says, «Mom, it's a base!» - and you don't realize, base of what? Or: «He's minus a turnip» - and you think of a turnip-vegetable. Do not scold the child for such words. Better to ask with a smile: «And what does it mean? Tell me, because I'm behind the fashion». This way you will show that you are interested in what children say, and establish communication with children.
Sometimes kids use slang on purpose to create distance. It's their way of saying, «I'm not a toddler anymore.» It's okay. The important thing is not to make it a conflict.
Does slang harm learning and speech
Many parents worry: «Won't the child learn to speak normally?» In fact, children are very aware of the difference between situations. They use normal words in class and slang with friends. It's like changing clothes: pajamas at home and uniforms at school.
The problem arises only if the child does not know how to switch. For example, writing «cringe» in an essay. But this can be cured with a simple conversation.
By the way, many words that seem strange now become commonplace over time. The words «cool» and «groovy» were once slang for teenagers too. Maybe in 10 years, «vibe» will be in dictionaries as a normal word.
The future of Alpha generation slang
The speed at which modern children's slang is changing is dizzying. Where once new words lived for years, now they live for weeks. The reason is simple: the Internet. Today's ticktock trend is tomorrow's forgotten meme.
Generations Z and Alpha already speak differently. What was trendy with older teens three years ago seems «ancient» to today's kids. And that's not a bad thing. This is how language lives and develops.
What will happen five years from now? Perhaps there will be words from virtual reality or from smart watches. But the essence will remain the same: children will create their own language of children and adolescents to feel part of their group.
The most important thing for parents is not to be afraid of this slang. You don't need to learn all the words by heart. It is enough to know a couple of basic ones and be able to ask: «What does it mean?». Your child will be happy that you are interested in his world. Also, don't be afraid to use their words yourself sometimes.
The key is moderation! Say, «We have a nice vibe today» and watch the child's surprise. It's an easy way to bond.
Slang is not a wall between you and your child. It's a bridge. You just have to learn to walk on it.
