Generational differences in language usage
Communication with people across cultural and generational divides in one language will highlight the diversity of language.
Members of the same family, for example, might use different language as influenced by their experience and inclination.
An example of this might be younger members of a family using ‘text talk’ or abbreviations. Such abbreviations might initially only be used in the written form but may become assimilated in the spoken form of the language.
This might cause an intergenerational gap in understanding. It is relevant for learners of foreign languages because it empowers them to understand that even for native speakers there may be gaps in knowledge and understanding, as well as highlighting a challenge of language acquisition.
Language is in constant flux and is used with varying purposes and in varying ways, to varying degrees of effectiveness. This is a challenge that we must overcome both as native and non-native speakers of a language.