Our infectious lexicon

Intrigued by language, Adam Aleksic ’23 initiated a blog to explore their histories while in ninth grade. After completing his education at Harvard with a focus on linguistics and governance, he became recognized online as the Etymology Geek, a self-identified influencer with over 3 million followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

In this revised dialogue, Aleksic shares insights regarding his newly released book, “Algospeak: How Social Media is Transforming the Future of Language,” examining the effects of algorithms on language and culture.

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In comparison to other advancements like writing, the printing press, and the internet, what distinguishes social media’s impact on our communication methods?

I strongly believe that the medium shapes the message. The manner in which information is disseminated will influence our communication styles. For instance, the advent of writing marked a significant transition from storytelling that employed rhyme and meter. Plato indicated that writing would diminish our memory skills. The printing press accelerated information spread, increasing literacy among the populace, but gatekeepers still influence who narrates the tales. The internet has reduced the presence of gatekeepers; now anyone can narrate a story, marking yet another shift in language. Algorithms represent a new transformation because the internet’s centralization observed in the late 2010s, combined with how these algorithms distribute content through customized recommendation feeds, is altering our perception of communication itself.

How are algorithms influencing the evolution of language?

Algorithms are molding our spoken expression. The priorities of platforms significantly shape and arrange the development of our language. The algorithm promotes trends, fosters in-groups, which in turn cultivate new language usage. Newly trending terms are magnified by social media; creators imitate terms they recognize as going viral, as this aids in their own virality, thus further embedding those terms into existence. This cycle is ongoing. I believe it’s the algorithm’s ability to amplify trends that results in more rapid language evolution than previously. The most crucial takeaway from my book is that algorithms are profoundly impacting our society right now, and we must acknowledge their influence.

In your discussion, you describe algorithms and influencers as causing certain words to gain popularity, stating that “algorithms are the offenders, influencers are the accomplices, language is the instrument, and readers are the victims.” Could you elaborate on this?

When I refer to algorithms as the offenders, I imply that they are, in this analogy, accountable for the rapid dissemination of slang, while influencers act as accomplices as we all play a role. The algorithm doesn’t perform independently; it does not create or disseminate words by itself. It is humans who guide that process, influenced by our own beliefs regarding what the algorithm is or should represent, thereby accelerating the spread of words. Ultimately, those terms become part of your lexicon, making you, in a sense, the victim.

How do terms originated from social media — like “skibidi” (a nonsensical phrase), “delulu” (delusional), and “unalive” (to kill or die) — end up being recognized in dictionaries?

The question of how they first appeared is what I aim to address in my book. As I mentioned, trending terms are magnified by social media’s algorithms and influencers. How do certain words make their way into dictionaries? Lexicographers consider the sustained usage of words; if they are employed on a broad enough scale to be deemed culturally significant, meaning many individuals recognize their meaning, they will be documented.

What worries you about the impact of social media and its algorithms on language?

As a linguist, I hold no serious concerns since language is the medium through which individuals connect. As a cultural analyst, I am genuinely troubled by the extent to which language has become more commodified than in the past, and I am concerned that certain groups exert more influence over our language than others, such as incels. Terms from the incel lexicon like “pilled,” “maxxing,” or “sigma” are gaining popularity. For instance, if I enjoy burritos, I might say, “I’m so burrito-pilled,” or if I wish to consume more burritos, I could express, “I’m burrito-maxxing.” The fact that we adopt these expressions reveals that this culture is shaping us, and it also indicates that the dissemination of ideas in the digital space can pose risks. Incels harbor deeply misogynistic beliefs and possess a worldview that leads them to dehumanize others. They have managed to propagate their ideology due to the current nature of the internet. By observing how language transforms, we should also consider the evolving cultural landscape.

As a linguist, I find excitement in the rapid evolution of language. To me, language serves as a form of resistance. Each new meme that surfaces acts as a cultural backlash against society’s over-structuring. This past summer, the term “clanker,” a speculative slur for artificial intelligence, gained significant traction. In March, we encountered “Italian Brain Rot,” a meme cleverly using AI to craft absurd cartoon characters. Both of these instances provide commentary on our current technological trajectory. A multitude of memes and slang expressions emerge as reflections of our present cultural moment, which I find incredibly beautiful.