LANGUAGE AS A TOOL FOR DEFINING GENERATIONS: A STUDY ON GEN-Z LINGO

This study aimed at exploring the relationship between the language in practice and the generational identity, based on the use of generation-specific jargon in a specific generation of bilingual participants. Language and identity is a prominent subject matter in linguistic studies. The core objective of this paper was to establish language as a metaphor for generation or to examine the fluidity of language with the course of time. It also attempted to break down the conventional idea of defining generation through biological age, rather held generation as a relative term depending on the linguistic behavior in the relevant contexts. The researcher intended to find out the significant factors behind such variations by adopting a mixed research methodology. Finally, the study made an attempt to answer the research question and thus fulfil the research objective of the study. The findings of the study suggested that there are generation specific jargons that help the people of Generation-Z to establish their generational identity.