The latest linguistic trend, known as “TikTalk” or “influencer accent,” is gaining momentum among Gen Z and millennial social media enthusiasts.
Inspired by celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears, and Ariana Grande, this voice-mimicking phenomenon involves adopting distinctive cadences and speech patterns. Linguistics professor Christopher Strelluf from the University of Warwick identified two key features: “uptalk,” characterized by a rising intonation in declarative sentences, and “vocal fry,” adding a low, gravelly sound on vowels.
Strelluf explained that while both features are already part of English, their prevalence is increasing, driven by online influencers. “TikTok is the evidence of the change that’s happening,” he noted, emphasizing that women, particularly young women, play a significant role in shaping linguistic trends. The influencer accent, while criticized as unnatural by some, is seen as a product of the conditioning influencers undergo while creating content for online platforms.
Influencers across various niches have acknowledged adopting this accent, with some attributing it to the Kardashians. Despite debates on its authenticity, many see it as a helpful tool for communication in the online sphere. As TikTalk continues to spread online, Strelluf predicts that the future of English inflection is likely to be influenced by the changes introduced by young women, reflecting broader linguistic innovations.