TRANSLATING GEN Z SLANG FROM ENGLISH AND UKRAINIAN

Problem statement. Language is a dynamic and constantly evolving phenomenon. It adapts in response to social, cultural, technological, and political changes. One of the most vivid examples of this evolution is the emergence and widespread use of slang, particularly among younger generations. In recent years, a new form of slang has taken hold—Gen Z slang—which stands out due to its creativity, rapid development, and strong digital footprint. Generation Z, typically defined as those born between 1997 and 2012, grew up in an era of global connectivity, social media, and digital communication platforms. For this reason, their language is shaped more by TikTok videos and Discord chats than by newspapers or formal speech. As a result, Gen Z slang is an essential linguistic and cultural marker of the current digital generation. Purpose of the article. The aim of this study is to analyze the phenomenon of Gen Z slang as it appears in English-language digital communication, and to identify effective strategies for translating it into Ukrainian. Research methodology and methods. To achieve the aims and objectives of the study, the following methods are used: descriptive method – to define slang, its features, and typologies; contextual analysis – to examine slang usage in specific digital and media situations; comparative analysis – to evaluate English expressions and their Ukrainian equivalents; translation case studies – to analyze how slang is handled in real translation scenarios; interdisciplinary synthesis – combining theories from linguistics, translation studies, and media studies. Results. Gen Z slang is its hybrid, digital-first nature. It blends meme logic, intertextuality, abbreviations, and code-mixing in ways that are contextually rich but often opaque to outsiders. The digital environment accelerates slang’s mutation and spread. The language of Generation Z is uniquely shaped by globalized internet culture. Unlike previous generations, Gen Z speaks in a way that is text-native: it blends audio-visual cues, meme references, and platform-specific tone. Several distinct linguistic and stylistic features define their slang. In sum, Gen Z slang serves as a collective mirror, humor mechanism, and emotional release valve. It is language shaped by a generation that faces global instability, online hypervisibility, and mental health challenges—and it provides young people with the tools to face these challenges using language that belongs to them. In the digital era, the spread of slang is no longer confined to local communities or subcultures—it is now driven by platform algorithms, viral content, and user-generated memes. Generation Z is especially active on platforms like TikTok, YouTube, Twitter/X, Reddit, and Discord. Conclusions and prospects. Slang is a linguistic mirror of cultural shifts, political engagement, emotional expression, and identity construction in real time. To translate slang is to translate an entire worldview. As the lines between online and offline language continue to blur, translators will face new challenges—and new opportunities to act not just as linguistic mediators, but as interpreters of social meaning, emotion, and culture. Therefore, this topic will only grow in relevance, and its proper study offers essential insights into the future of translation, language teaching, and digital communication.