This document discusses several linguistic features commonly used by teenagers, including phatic talk, vague language, omission of copula verbs, use of slang words, and lying by omission. Phatic talk and vague language are used to seek attention. Omitting copula verbs and using slang like "suck" instead of standard language is considered cool among teenagers. Lying by omission to friends is also discussed as a way for teenagers to avoid telling others everything about their lives.

1. Phatic talk is yet another feature
which is used commonly by both
genders and whether it is used using
different words it’s a definite
example of the features of language
that teenagers of all genders and
regardless of location use.
Vague language is also a persistent and
stereotypical mode of speech that is used by
teenagers as this successful skins extract
represents. It is used in order mainly to
attention seek from other people around as if
the act the teenager’s are about to carry out is
cool and they are the ones who only know about
hence they have to use coded language.
(FADE IN: Gas Station. One Week Earlier. SAM and DEAN pull into the station.)
DEAN: Alright, I figure we’d hit Tucumcari by lunch, then head south, hit Bisbee by midnight. (SAM does not respond.) Sam wears
women’s underwear.
SAM: I’ve been listenin’, I’m just busy. (He is checking e-mails on his PalmPilot.)
DEAN: Busy doin’ what?
SAM: Reading e-mails. (DEAN gets out of the car and starts to fill the tank with gas.)
DEAN: E-mails from who?
SAM: From my friends at Stanford.
DEAN: You’re kidding. You still keep in touch with your college buddies?
SAM: Why not?
DEAN: Well, what exactly do you tell ‘em? You know, about where you’ve been, what you’ve been doin’? Omission of the copula verb is
SAM: I tell ‘em I’m on a road trip with my big brother. I tell ‘em I needed some time off after Jess.
common and is used
DEAN: Oh, so you lie to ‘em.
repeatedly by teenager’s
SAM: No. I just don’t tell ‘em….everything.
which is acclaimed forms of
DEAN: Yeah, that’s called lying. I mean, hey, man, I get it, tellin’ the truth is far worse.
media such as rap music etc.
SAM: So, what am I supposed to do, just cut everybody out of my life? (DEAN shrugs.) You’re serious?
It is deemed cool and gives
DEAN: Look, it sucks, but in a job like this, you can’t get close to people, period.
you an upper hierarchy when
SAM: You’re kind of anti-social, you know that?
being positioned in a social
DEAN: Yeah, whatever. (SAM continues to read his e-mails.)
situation.
Finally there is the use of non-standard
lexis that is a word which is used as
slang in another context. As the
extract shows there is the use of the
word suck which is an action
performed not an opinion about in
event and teenagers use this type of
language to portray how they are up to
date with the coolest words.