Linguists in Pilsen discussed slang, hantec and the language of the younger generation

Rizz, Ohio, or šlauch. What do these words even mean? How is everyday speech changing in Czechia, Poland, and Slovakia? Participants in the international conference, Sociolects in Various Spheres of Communication, sought answers at the University of West Bohemia.

The term “ohio” is used to describe something strange or weird, while “rizz” expresses charm and style. Understanding the language of the younger generation is no easy task today. Slang, argot, and other non-standard, ever-changing layers of the national language were the main topic of a two-day conference entitled Sociolects in Various Spheres of Communication, held at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen. The event was organized in mid-May by the Department of Czech Language at the Faculty of Education of the University of West Bohemia (FPE).

“The conference followed on from the long-standing tradition of research into slang and argot, which has been associated with our department since the 1970s. We are pleased that we were once again able to welcome experts from Czechia, Slovakia, and Poland to Pilsen and jointly discuss a topic that is relevant not only to linguistics but also to mother-tongue teaching in schools,” said Martina Spěváčková, head of the Department of Czech Language.

Participants discussed, among other things, how the everyday speech of Czech and Polish students is changing, whether Brno Hantec is still alive, and which expressions are used by the younger generation. “Sociolects show that language is constantly evolving and that its non-standard layers have their place in communication. The conference provided space for sharing different perspectives from Czech, Slovak, and Polish linguists, as well as for discussion on why it makes sense to study these forms of national language,” summarised Jana Vaňková from the Department of Czech Language at FPE.

The functioning of sociolects in advertising texts was one of the main themes of the conference. The presentations focused, for example, on electronic marketing, the choice of linguistic and non-linguistic means, and how these means can strengthen the persuasive function of a message and help present products.

The program also included topics connected with historical experience. One speaker, for instance, focused on the slang of Jewish prisoners in the Terezín ghetto and on the question of why it has not been preserved in the Czech context to the same extent as in Germany or Poland. The conference also touched on mother-tongue teaching in schools. According to didactics experts, the issue of sociolects is important from an educational perspective as well.