„Gen, am fost la școală și, gen, a fost plictisitor”. O lingvistă explică ce e cu acest „gen” și cum ar trebui să reacționeze părinții

The frequent use of the word "gen" by adolescents has raised concerns among parents about its impact on communication. Linguist Corina Popa explains that while "gen" serves various discursive functions, its overuse can lead to a lack of clarity in expression. It can indicate approximation, hesitation, or introduce dialogue, but when used excessively, it may disrupt the flow of conversation. Instead of criticizing this linguistic habit, parents should help teens recognize when their language is meaningful versus when it becomes mere filler. The focus should be on fostering conscious control over their communication.