Abstract
The English language evolves due to various trends and technological advancements. As societies age, a new generation appears, and neologisms are bound to occur. This study highlights two generations: Generation Z (Gen Z) and the Millennials. This research aims to identify and compare that aimed to investigate the lexis phenomenon behind Gen-Z slang from the perceptions of five (5) Millennial English teachers who are or were employed as senior high school teachers within the grounds of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), and to discuss the issue of the generational communication gap. A phenomenological qualitative method, using one-on-one interviews and a questionnaire, was employed in four parts to gather data on knowledge and perceptions of Gen-Z slang use. Upon the analysis and the comparison of the various answers of the participants, results show that while Millennials view the evolution of the English language positively, the issue of the generational gap persists, depending on the knowledge of both the meaning and usage of Gen-Z slang by Gen-Zs during informal or casual conversations, both in class and on social media. Despite the challenges posed by the generational gap, this study indicates that Millennials can adapt to and appreciate the use of Gen-Z slang to bridge the gap between Millennials and Gen-Zs. This study validates the importance of highlighting the generational gap and how it threatens communication, especially when two generations collide and technological advancement advances. Furthermore, future studies can expand the number of participants and gather insights beyond Gen-Z and Millennials.
