Digital Culture and Language Use: Generational Perceptions of AAVE Slang in Higher Education in Kosovo
Session
Language and Culture
Description
African American Vernacular English (AAVE) has emerged as a primary source of online slang, with terms expanding on platforms like TikTok. This study investigates at how slang, especially terms from AAVE, is recognized, used, and perceived at the University for Business and Technology (UBT) in Kosovo across a number of generations. An anonymous survey about social media usage, familiarity with specific slang terms (e.g., slay, it's giving, sus, GOAT), perceptions of differences between generations, and attitudes regarding the cultural origins of slang was given to UBT professors and undergraduate students (first to third year). The study additionally provides insight into the participants' perceptions of cultural appropriation, their level of awareness of AAVE's influence, and how they feel that slang impacts professional and academic communication. The research emphasizes the influence of global digital culture on English vocabulary by using UBT as a case study in a non-Anglophone setting. It also advances a more comprehensive conversation on language development, cultural diffusion, and digital communication in higher education.
Keywords:
African American Vernacular English (AAVE), Internet slang, language perception, Digital culture, Higher education in Kosovo
ISBN
978-9951-982-41-2
Location
UBT Lipjan, Kosovo
Start Date
25-10-2025 9:00 AM
End Date
26-10-2025 6:00 PM
DOI
10.33107/ubt-ic.2025.269
Recommended Citation
Sefiu, Rina and Mustafa, Adea, "Digital Culture and Language Use: Generational Perceptions of AAVE Slang in Higher Education in Kosovo" (2025). UBT International Conference. 8.
https://knowledgecenter.ubt-uni.net/conference/2025UBTIC/LC/8
Digital Culture and Language Use: Generational Perceptions of AAVE Slang in Higher Education in Kosovo
UBT Lipjan, Kosovo
African American Vernacular English (AAVE) has emerged as a primary source of online slang, with terms expanding on platforms like TikTok. This study investigates at how slang, especially terms from AAVE, is recognized, used, and perceived at the University for Business and Technology (UBT) in Kosovo across a number of generations. An anonymous survey about social media usage, familiarity with specific slang terms (e.g., slay, it's giving, sus, GOAT), perceptions of differences between generations, and attitudes regarding the cultural origins of slang was given to UBT professors and undergraduate students (first to third year). The study additionally provides insight into the participants' perceptions of cultural appropriation, their level of awareness of AAVE's influence, and how they feel that slang impacts professional and academic communication. The research emphasizes the influence of global digital culture on English vocabulary by using UBT as a case study in a non-Anglophone setting. It also advances a more comprehensive conversation on language development, cultural diffusion, and digital communication in higher education.