The man with crude language is on the tip of our children’s tongues – insightful analysis of children’s most used vocabulary in Manchester 2017 has revealed.
An analysis, orchestrated by Oxford University Press, of a series of short stories submitted to BBC Radio 2’s 500 words competition has revealed a fascinating, albeit slightly disturbing, insight into British children’s use of language.
Results of the analysis serve to emphasise the impact of world-wide events on children and how our own assertions on these subjects have a radical influence on the tone of younger children’s responses to such topics.
TRUMPINATOR MEANS TRUMPALOT: Kids’ imagination running wild…
A report published by OUP revealed subjects such as Donald Trump, elections and Pokémon GO are imparting some of the most profound influences on the creativity and use of language in children in the UK.
According to a generated list of the most commonly used words, USA President Trump is the most frequently mentioned public figure, featuring as a muse in British children’s work, with thousands referencing him through related language in clever, witty and subversive ways.
Political terminology is seen to have risen dramatically in its prevalence in children’s vocabularies during 2017, highlighting children’s engagement with the news and media.
The drastic rise in the use of the word ‘Trump’ by entrants in this year’s competition and the sophisticated way in which children have used it to convey humour and satire has deemed it children’s word of the year, with a total increase of 839% in its usage.
In Greater Manchester and Cheshire, of around 5,000 children who took part, the most common words used in stories were: seal, squib, lighthouse, crayon and indent.
“Children write about what’s going on around them,” Samantha Armstrong, Children’s Dictionaries Publisher at OUP, told MM.
“The general trend for the Manchester area is fairy-tale and adventure stories.”
A whole plethora of other themes have been cropping up in our children’s stories – from the concepts of super heroes to the virtual gaming world and social media.
In particular, the game Pokémon GO was notably seen to have captured children’s imagination the most, whilst the characters of Superman and Batman were also prominent figures in many stories.
The OUP results have been released prior to the ‘500 Words Live Final’, due to take place this Friday from the Tower of London with special guest and Honorary Judge, HRH the Duchess of Cornwall.
At the final, the six winning stories will be announced on-air by celebrity narrators including Olivier award-winning Noma Dumezweni and actor Sir Derek Jacobi, while music from One Direction’s Niall Horan and Olly Murs will also feature.
Stay tuned for our interview with Samantha Armstrong.
