Features: Youth

Question 1

Phonological Features

Answer 1

Elision (dropping sounds in rapid speech, e.g., “gimme” for “give me”).

Rising intonation in statements, sometimes referred to as “uptalk.”

Question 2

Lexical Features

Answer 2

Slang terms (e.g., “lit,” “vibes,” “bare” meaning “a lot”).

Borrowings from other languages or cultures (e.g., “peng” for attractive, from Caribbean English).

Dyphemism (e.g., “I’m dead” meaning to find something humorous).

Question 3

Grammatical Features

Answer 3

Elliptical constructions (e.g., “You coming?” instead of “Are you coming?”).

Overuse of intensifiers (e.g., “so,” “literally”).

Non-standard verb usage (e.g., “She don’t care” instead of “She doesn’t care”).

Question 4

Pragmatic Features

Answer 4

Code-switching between formal and informal registers.

Emphasis on peer-group identity through shared linguistic norms.