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Post by babydollbouncyballs on Aug 23, 2022 9:10:23 GMT -5
Code switching is defined as the unconscious or conscious changing of language, dialect, and tone of voice to accommodate others. It is more commonly used to describe those who are multilingual or people who belong to different social groups that alter their vernacular to better conform with that group. While I do not fluently speak a second language I can relate to Gloria Anzaldúa in the sense that I am a woman. As a girl I know that I unconsciously speak with lots of fillers such as “um” and “like” I also know in certain settings around authority figures, and those who are older than me I naturally write and talk as if I am unsure of myself. I unconsciously change my words from things like “I think…” to “I just think…” I also unconsciously tend to ask “Does that make sense?” in conversations which can sometimes negatively imply that I am incoherent or that I’m ill-informed in whatever subject I am talking about even if I am not. I also tend to apologize before asking questions or in situations where an apology is not warranted. I believe that the habit of young women speaking in such an unsure manner is because at a young age we are constantly taught to doubt and question our ideas, as well as soften our communications so we don’t get labeled as aggressive, bitchy, or abrasive.
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Post by sthompson on Aug 23, 2022 13:51:44 GMT -5
In "How to Tame a Wild Tongue" Gloria Anzaldúa speaks about code-switching, and how she implements it throughout her life. Code-switching is where people switch between languages, pronunciation, and dialects to better fit their environment throughout a conversation. I learned to code-switch at a very young age, as my mother mainly spoke French and Turkish, and my dad only spoke English. I knew to switch to English when talking to my dad and to annunciate very well when speaking English to my mom. The need for my code-switching skill faded once I got to school, my parents wanted me to be well adjusted so we mostly switched to English at home, and as a result, I'm no longer fluent in French or Turkish. This means whenever I go to visit family in Turkey, I code-switch by talking slower paced, annunciating more, and using proper terminology when I speak English so more people understand me, now to help I'm relearning both languages, and eventually I'll be code-switching between languages instead of just pronunciation.
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Post by Robbie Kays on Aug 23, 2022 13:59:50 GMT -5
The definition of switching codes according to Encyclopedia Britannica is "The process of shifting from one linguistic code (a language or dialect) to another, depending on the social context or conversational setting." In my own life when I switch codes I often switch between different two different languages at home when I am speaking to my mother or when I speak to my father. With my mom, I often speak Hungarian with her when we are talking about something serious, and with my father, I speak English and when our conversations collide I speak English with both of them. I also switch the way I talk when I'm with my friends versus when I am with my parents. I use a lot more common slang when I talk to my friends because they understand it compared to when I am speaking to often parents or teachers I use some slang but often talk more professionally and seriously.
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Post by sthompson on Aug 23, 2022 14:02:23 GMT -5
Code switching is defined as the unconscious or conscious changing of language, dialect, and tone of voice to accommodate others. It is more commonly used to describe those who are multilingual or people who belong to different social groups that alter their vernacular to better conform with that group. While I do not fluently speak a second language I can relate to Gloria Anzaldúa in the sense that I am a woman. As a girl I know that I unconsciously speak with lots of fillers such as “um” and “like” I also know in certain settings around authority figures, and those who are older than me I naturally write and talk as if I am unsure of myself. I unconsciously change my words from things like “I think…” to “I just think…” I also unconsciously tend to ask “Does that make sense?” in conversations which can sometimes negatively imply that I am incoherent or that I’m ill-informed in whatever subject I am talking about even if I am not. I also tend to apologize before asking questions or in situations where an apology is not warranted. I believe that the habit of young women speaking in such an unsure manner is because at a young age we are constantly taught to doubt and question our ideas, as well as soften our communications so we don’t get labeled as aggressive, bitchy, or abrasive. I feel the same way, I didn't realize I did this subconsciously until I got in a political discussion with an older man, typically I get amped up and stand my ground on my takes/beliefs, but once I was out of my comfort zone and felt inferior I just nodded and pretended I agreed so there weren't any arguments. Although I had the facts to back me up I didn't want to use them because I was scared he would get angry and/or defensive and I would be to blame . I'm always very respectful and open minded during those kinds of discussions so there was nothing wrong with how I would normally handle the situation, but this time I acted like my points were weak and like I didn't really care to much for the subject, incase he were to reject those points.
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Post by rubyberg on Aug 23, 2022 14:19:00 GMT -5
Gloria Anzaldua writes about code-switching in her writing "How to Tame a Wild Tongue." Code-switching can be defined as when a bilingual person alternates between multiple languages or dialect within a conversation. This is used so the other party can have a greater understanding of what is being said by, in this example, Gloria Anzaldua. Anzaldua writes about how she speaks different "tongues" within different social groups. She expands on the fact that when speaking to her brothers, sisters, or friends she uses most dialects stemming from Spanish. She states how when speaking to kids, she tends to use more slang, this dialect even being called a "secret language." Anzaldua writes about how women are judged for the way they speak far more than men. I do not speak more than one language, so I do not code-switch in the sense I change the language I speak. However, I still code-switch in a different way. I have always been cautious about how I speak around certain people. I have noted how I speak differently around my friends, than I would do a teacher. I'm always wary of the fact that anyone could judge my sole intellect on the way I speak. This mostly occurs when I am speaking to a teacher, or even my peers.
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Post by brendant on Aug 25, 2022 9:51:25 GMT -5
The way people of different back rounds use switch codes are very different. I might not have to use this as much as someone of color sad to say, but our world still has that issue. The actual definition of code-switch is the ways in which a member of an underrepresented group (consciously or unconsciously) adjusts their language, syntax, grammatical structure, behavior, and appearance to fit into the dominant culture. To put it in more simple terms its what you have to do to fit in and be safe and or professional. I do not have to use this every day, but when I do it is for the matter of being professional with an adult at school or in the work place, or with another kid my age that i am not closely involved with. When I am around people that I am comfortable with I let myself relax and the formality tends to drift to the back of my head. In Anzaldua's case, she was using it to fit in where ever she was at in that moment of time.
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Post by Kierra Walker on Aug 27, 2022 13:40:01 GMT -5
Code-switching is altering your way of communicating or your appearance to make sure it's appropriate for the setting. It's very prominent in poc communities and most do it to make sure they wont face any repercussions. For example, a black woman may take out her braids for a job interview interview to increase her chances of getting hired. In Anzaldua's case, she code-switches in conversations to accommodate those she is speaking to. She switches based on how comfortable she is with those she is talking to and to avoid any judgment she may face. I'm only fluent in english and don't know enough in other languages to switch in that way but I do work which requires me to engage in conversations with strangers all day so I do have to switch constantly to accommodate each individual customer and that could also be applied to school. I also do it in interviews physically and verbally.
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Post by Keyton M. on Aug 28, 2022 17:20:20 GMT -5
The term "switch codes" is how Gloria Anzaldua changes her language depending on the situation. Through her story she lists eight different languages that she has learned and tells examples of when she would use them and how she learned them. Growing up language and heritage was very difficult for her and "switching codes" helped her throughout her life. Switching codes happens a lot in my life when I am put into different situations. I understand that depending on where I am and who I am with there are certain ways I need to act. If I am coming from school there is a big difference of how I will talk and act compared to how I would act at a family gathering or going to something for a parents work. There are situations where you need to act formal and ones where it is okay to relax. The term "switch codes" perfectly describes how people change depending on their environment.
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Post by theatysedapipe on Aug 28, 2022 18:42:33 GMT -5
To switch codes, in it's most basic definition, is switching from one form of communication to another. Anzaldua talks about switching codes in reference to switching from one language to another, and specifically about how she wants to be able to do that in any setting free of judgement or the responsibility to translate for those who might not understand. I, myself am not bilingual, and therefore have never really had to switch from one language to another. I have, however, had to switch the way I communicate. The way I talk to my sister, or to my friends for example often sounds like a foreign language to my parents so when I'm around them I have to be a lot more thoughtful about the way I speak to make sure they know what I'm saying.
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Post by Sam Davis on Aug 28, 2022 18:50:59 GMT -5
To switch codes is to switch between 2 or more different languages. Personally, I only speak one language fluently. A different way I could amply this to my life is how I act around different people. For example how I would present myself towards people I know versus people I have just met. I would feel more comfortable around my friends opposed to a stranger. In a way for me I could say that is switching codes. Changing something about how I’m acting around others. It would be nice for everyone to understand just one way I act, unfortunately that isn’t how it works. So I do have to modify myself depending on the situation. Again, this is a very different example of switching codes. Personally, I don’t deal with switching between languages, because someone didn’t understand me. I would also hope that everyone would be accepting of every language, just as I would want everyone to accept me.
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Post by Ren Dunning on Aug 29, 2022 18:32:50 GMT -5
Anzaldua uses the term "switch codes" to illustrate having to change her personality, culture, language and linguistics based on who she was interacting worth. "Switching codes" are frequent in everyday life outside of just the intended meaning about language and linguistics. We are divided by our generations. Older generations like Baby Boomers and Gen X are typically considered more "conservative" in their behaviors and opinions. We are told to ignore their outdated, offensive statements and we brush it off as "old fashioned" or "that's how it used to be". Growing up now, I've learned to change my being based on who I'm around. The wide range of language, behaviors, and personality I showed to different generations was my code switching. I had to filter portions of my being to be accepted from different types of people. But now, I refuse to change myself for other's approval, and I am unapologetically my true self.
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maya
New Member
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Post by maya on Aug 30, 2022 18:58:53 GMT -5
In the way that Anzaldúa uses it, switch codes relate to switching between different languages when you are multilingual. When relating to this phrase, one will typically move back and forth between the language in conversation. Typically, there will be different words from different languages within sentences, not just one language. In my life, I will speak Arabic with some of my friends that I have from the Arab World. Since I am not yet fluent, yet have a pretty good vocabulary range with the language, I will sometimes input some different English words when I am trying to string sentences together. Along with speaking Arabic and having these discussions, I will speak Spanish with my Cuban side of my family and will speak within the same way. When I'm talking with my Abuela or my Tia, we will jump from speaking in English to quickly use some phrases in Spanish.
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Post by amygarcia on Aug 31, 2022 15:25:43 GMT -5
When Anzaldua was talking about the term Switch Codes she is talking about the ability that someone has when they are talking and they are switching from one language to another. Anzaldua uses switch codes when she is talking to her friends who are Chicanas. One time in my life when I had switch codes is when my friends and family are together. I talk mostly English with my friends but with my family I only talk spanish. I have to switch codes if I'm telling my friends something in English and then have to tell my mom or dad something in spanish. Another time when I have to switch codes is when talking to my mom and brother at the same time. I also mostly talk to my brother in English so when I talk to my brother and mom at the same time I alternate from English and spanish.
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Post by joshuakane on Sept 2, 2022 12:05:27 GMT -5
To Anzaldúa, "to switch codes," is to be able to talk with complete freedom without accommodating for the linguistic handicaps of others. Switching codes is the opposite of taming a wild tongue. Switching codes is different for everybody, for some people is comes with a change in language, for some it's a change of words, for some it's just a change of tone or way of speaking. Code switching for somebody like me looks different, as I only speak English, but it still comes with a change of words and attitude depending on who I'm holding conversation with or where it's happening. I can switch codes and talk however I want when I'm with my friends, because I know that it's what I say that they care about, not how I say it. In a place like school or work I keep it rather professional and boring, whereas when I'm with people I know won't judge me, I'll use silly figures of speech and relax my vocabulary a little.
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Post by :) on Sept 2, 2022 13:49:35 GMT -5
Code-switching is, in a basic definition, switching between a variety of different languages or dialects depending on the people you are speaking to or the situation that you’re in. Anzaldúa code-switches the language or variety of language that she speaks depending on where she is and who she is talking to. With Mexicans, she speaks either Standard Mexican Spanish or North Mexican Spanish dialect, with her siblings she speaks in Tex-Mex, with people from the United States she speaks Standard English, etc. By changing the language or dialect of a language that she’s speaking, Anzaldúa is code-switching. I am only fluent in one language. I have learned a little bit of Spanish but not nearly enough that I am able to speak to my cousins who are originally from México in Spanish, which would be an amazing example of code-switching when it is in its most basic definition. I speak the same way around everyone – I’m always decently formal, even around my friends and peers my age. As I was struggling to think of a way in which to code-switch, I remembered a conversation that was had in English last year as we read 1984. We were discussing code-switching, only we were defining it as changing some aspect of yourself to fit with the people you’re with or the situation that you’re in. That definition of code-switching is something that I can easily relate to. Around certain friends I am a very different person than I am around my family or school. Some of my friends know a very fundamental part of who I am, a part that shapes a lot of my beliefs and character. When I’m around them, I can truly be myself. However, when I’m around my family or at school, I’m a very carefully crafted version of myself. I let them see only the parts in which I want them to see, due to past trauma or certain beliefs that they hold. I code-switch a very fundamental aspect of my identity depending on who I’m with, similar to the way that Anzaldúa switches her language around (a fundamental aspect of her identity) depending on who she is talking to. First I really like your definition of code switching and how you explained it from the story. I also had never thought about it other than language/speaking. I know that code switching can be more than just switching languages, it can be switching the way you say words around different people and different situations. I never thought about it as how code switching is also changing your presence around other people. Like switching your body language or how invented you are in the situation. This causes different people to perceive you in different ways. I really relate to that because around new people I am super quite and tend to try and hide any personal information about myself, but around my close friends and I am truly me so I am much louder and crazier. Even around my parents or other adults I change so they will view me as more responsible and mature. I just think this is a super good point because everyone does it and can relate to it.
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