Teen Slang - Trying to Decipher the Foreign Language of your Teen.

For most parents, attempting to connect with your teen is an uphill battle that is only getting steeper. With social media websites and messaging apps completely dominating your teens life, it comes as no great surprise that there is a communication break down on a very basic level between parents and their tech- savvy teens.

Along with the advances in technology over the last decade, the language of today's youth has evolved into, what we have dubbed, the 'Facebook Vernacular'. This is a language which many parents are not familiar with and it is snow-balling from a simple communication problem to a pop-cultural barrier between the generations.

We here at Schooldays.ie have decided to provide you with a brief cultural guide and a glossary of 'trend-words' (so that you don't lose touch completely with your teen!). We have also included the translation for different emojis. Though it seems silly, teens are becoming more and more dependent on these little faces to express themselves instead of using actual words. They're teenagers, they'll grow out of it (hopefully!).

First off, Text Speak!

Have you ever texted your teen and received a nonsensical jumble of letters in response? Teenagers love taking the lazy route and texting is no exception! These random letters are mostly abbreviations.

Native Irish Slang

Slang is a living language which can be found at the core of every youth culture. Although some slang may be carried forward from generation to generation, it evolves along with the teenage culture and always has a concrete relationship with pop culture.

Online Pop Culture References

The following examples are just some of the terms we have come across on Facebook and Twitter that parents may be a little confused by.

We hope that this brief glossary of teenage terms has helped you in some way. If you have heard your teen using any new words or phrases that we may have missed, feel free to comment below and help out your fellow 'rents! Don't forget to check out our other resources to help you through the techy teenage years.

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