Code-switching is the practice of alternating between two or more languages or varieties of language in conversation. It occurs in many different occasions for a number of reasons. Most people are familiar with code-switching for job interviews, speeches and maneuvering between professional and personal conversations. Code-switching actually occurs in dozens of other purposeful and accidental occasions. People have admitted to using code-switching for good and evil and others say they have no control at all when code-switching. I regularly use code switching for three reasons: lizard brain, fitting in and getting something.
Lizard brain is when your brain does or says something involuntarily, usually from being frightened or angry. Personally, I experience this all of the time. When witnessing someone else experiencing lizard brain, it humors me. I have seen people speaking in a different dialogue or language and sound like a completely different person. Lizard brain may even catch them off guard. Somali culture is very harsh and making fun of each other is a common pass time. My first examples of screaming and yelling were at home and they were quite often. I have always been someone who likes the idea of keeping one’s composure, but screaming at a person is not a difficult concept for me. When, unfortunately, I do lose my cool, I sometimes involuntarily code-switch and start to speak in Somali. My significant other is the person who experiences this the most. He is quite used to it and finds it very funny. It is a great ice-breaker for many tense arguments that were on the brink of escalating.
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The desire and sometimes need to fit in is also is a great example of when code-switching occurs. You can imagine a child who switched schools a lot would pick up and use many different accents, dialects and even language if necessary. Other people code-switch for relationships, new neighborhood or friends. In 2012, I moved to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands for school. I quickly immersed myself in the culture. After being there for a few weeks and already having a comfortability with Caribbean accents in the past, I began to speak like the locals. I wanted to fit in and let everyone know that I respected and understood their culture. The problem with emulating people’s style of language is that they may not understand your motive. Many people were impressed and enjoyed my usage of the island accent and others were offended. A few people laughed at me and begged me to stop, but my natural response when someone spoke to me with a local accent was to reply in the same accent.
Wanting to get something can be a good or bad thing. Sure, some people have ill intentions, but I like to use code-switching for convenience and fun. There are many examples on how to negatively use your knowledge to get what you want through manipulation of code-switching. I prefer to use it with full transparency. In my neighborhood of Brooklyn, there are many corner stores and little shops owned by Arabic speakers. I always enjoy walking in and speaking Arabic with them. I like the surprise in their face and we usually quickly build a friendly relationship. This can be beneficial when there is a long line or I am twenty cents short.
Code-switching is a weapon, a tool, an ice breaker and many other tools of convenience when communicating. Code-switching stories can be funny and I think we all would be surprised if we realized how often we code-switched. As a traveler and having parents and grandparents that are nomads, I see the huge value in code-switching.
