Science Friday What The Sigma Is Algospeak?
12 snips
Jul 23, 2025 
In this insightful discussion, Adam Aleksic, a linguist and TikToker known for his work on Algospeak, dives into the fascinating transformation of language in the social media age. He decodes how Gen Alpha's slang can puzzle adults and reveals the rapid evolution of terms born from memes and consumer culture. Adam also highlights the role of algorithms in shaping today's vocabulary and the unique communication styles that emerge from platforms like TikTok. Through humor and cultural analysis, he sheds light on the absurdity and creativity of modern language.
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Algospeak Shapes Online Language
- Algospeak is not just to evade censorship but also shapes how online language evolves with community trends and algorithmic influence.
- Algorithms amplify human language behaviors and spread slang through their trending and communal spaces.
Algorithms Are Language Inflection
- Algorithms act as a new inflection point in language evolution, similar to the printing press.
- They both democratize and gatekeep language use, affecting who controls language reproduction.
Algorithms Accelerate New Words
- Algorithms drive faster creation of new words, mostly due to censorship and strict moderation.
- Creators invent algorithm-friendly substitutions, boosting language change as a productive force.