The Say What app is essentially a video dictionary, similar to the website Urban Dictionary. Users have a variety of phrases to choose from, like duck face and throwing shade, and are asked to make short video clips to creatively demonstrate what the terms mean. Spanish and Mandarin slang words are also included, so there is a multicultural education to be gained from the crowdsourced video dictionary app.
The Internet and more specifically social media are having an accelerating effect on the way language and slang develop. Instead of phrases slowly becoming integrated into a more wide-spread lexicon, viral videos and similar content mean new terms can become popular extremely quickly. The expression 'on fleek' is an example of this, which originated in a Vine post.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Video Dictionary Innovation
- Creating video dictionary apps that define and explain slang terms through user-generated content.
- Crowdsourced Language Learning
- Building a crowdsourced platform for users to learn slang and language from others around the world.
- Viral Language Development
- Tracking and analyzing viral language trends to keep up with changing spoken language patterns.
Where This Applies
- Language Learning
- Companies in the language learning industry can use user-generated content to create fun and interactive educational tools.
- Social Media
- Social media platforms can integrate a video dictionary feature to increase user engagement.
- Marketing and Advertising
- Brands can utilize viral language trends in their campaigns to better connect with younger demographics.
