Slang and Code-Switching as Generational Practices: A Study of Gen Z and Gen Alpha in Georgia

Abstract

The expansion of digital media, social networking platforms, and online communication has significantly broadened the functional scope of English and accelerated changes in its lexical system. These developments are particularly evident in the growing use of slang, which has become an integral part of modern communication and serves as a marker of identity, social belonging, and generational affiliation. This thesis explores the use of slang and code-switching in the linguistic practices of Georgian Generation Z and Generation Alpha. The primary aim of the study is to examine the frequency and patterns of English slang and code-switching in contemporary Georgian youth communication, as well as to identify their social, pragmatic, and identity-related functions across different generational groups. The research adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative analysis. Quantitative data were collected through a structured online questionnaire, while qualitative data consist of naturally occurring linguistic material gathered during English language classes, including dialogues, phrases, and speech samples. The findings demonstrate that slang and code-switching are not random or deficient linguistic phenomena, but rather strategic communicative resources through which young speakers express emotions, negotiate social relationships, and construct generational identities in a digitalized and globalized environment.