Is verlan a language?

Is verlan a language?

The slang language essentially sees the sounds of a word's syllables pronounced back-to-front. In fact, the word “verlan” itself is an example of Verlan, as it's the French word “L'envers” (reverse) in reverse. The phenomenon, which some suggest took off after World World Two, is incredibly popular with younger people.

What are verlan words?

Verlan (French pronunciation: ​[vɛʁlɑ̃]) is a type of argot in the French language, featuring inversion of syllables in a word, and is common in slang and youth language. It rests on a long French tradition of transposing syllables of individual words to create slang words.

Where is verlan spoken?

France Unlike pig Latin, however, verlan is actively spoken in France. Many verlan words have become so commonplace that they are used in everyday French. To "verlan" a word, simply separate it into syllables, reverse them, and put the word back together.

Why do French use verlan?

The word verlan itself is a great example of verlan because it is à l'envers (which means reverse) backward. Verlan began as a way for people to speak French in code to mask communication, either during wars or revolutions when secrecy was vital.

Is MEC a verlan?

You can also use verlan with other slang words, like “mec” (mec keum), when talking about a boy or boyfriend. ... Verlan even works with very short words. For example, “fou” becomes “ouf” (fou ouf). You can use this word to talk about a crazy situation or person.

Why do French reverse words?

Verlan à l'envers is a form of French slang that works, as you might have guessed from the name, by breaking up the syllables of words and reversing them. Verlan was created because civilians wanted a way to communicate with each other without authority figures being able to understand them.

Do people still use verlan?

“Verlan is still a French thing, some young people use it but not every young French person does. It's a question of social class, location, age, context, and personal choice,” Chevalier-Karfis adds. ... “It's been part of the French culture for a long time and I don't think it's going to die out,” she says.

Does verlan exist in English?

Verlan, which is actually the French word à l'envers backwards or “reversed” (that's what it translates to), is a form of Pig Latin that French speakers use in everyday talk; way, way more than an English speaker would ever use Pig Latin in their entire life.

What is French slang called?

There are three types of commonly practiced slang in French: louchébem, argot and verlan aka verlan à l'envers.

Where did French verlan come from?

Verlan is a French language argot, which originated from the Parisian banlieue as a social protest. Allowing young people to speak amongst one another, and not be understood by authority figures; such as the police or keuf.

What is an example of Verlan?

• Another example is feuk which derives from the verlan word keuf which means flic (original slang word for police). Verlan also comes from foreign words and then are verlanized. Verlan is used in music, primarily French rap and hip-hop because it allows for easier rhyming and adds a bit of style to the song.

What are verlanised French words?

• Here are some examples of French words that have been verlanised and their English meanings: Verlan ising words often brings up words that are verlan of a verlan. This is sometimes called double verlan or veul. One can find the order of the consonants of the original word, but the vowels have been modified.

What are the 15 verlan words every French speaker should know?

• 15 Verlan Words Every French Speaker Should Know. 1 1. Céfran — Français. Let’s start with the basics. Céfran, [ say-frahn ] is verlan for Français. To ask if someone is French, you’d say “Il est ... 2 2. Tromé — Métro. 3 3. Cimer — Merci. 4 4. Ouf — Fou. 5 5. Meuf — Femme. More items

Does verlan change the pronunciation of original syllables?

• Verlan generally retains the pronunciation of the original syllables. However, French words that end in a ⟨e⟩ muet (such as femme [fam]) and words that end in a pronounced consonant (such as flic [flik]) gain the sound [œ] once reversed.