Code Switching: when a speaker alternates between two or more languages, or languages, or languages varieties, in the context of a single conversation.
In other words, it is the ability to switch between languages, in my case Spanish and English, or in the form of my speech depending on the interest of "fitting in".
Let me explain.
Growing up I found myself having an accent because Spanish is my first language, and when learning English I was bullied for not sounding "normal". What does it mean to sound normal? According to my peers, that meant not sounding latina, or like I didn't know English. I was sent to ELS classes (English Learning Services) so that I can learn not only English grammer but ultimately learn how to "sound" American, whatever that means. As a kid, I made it my mission to lose my accent so that I wouldn't have to face the torment from my classmates. I want to believe that I did learn how to talk like a southern city kid; not twangy, but not Latina either.
I have developed certain tones of speeches so that I may "fit" into the setting that found my in. For example, when I am with my friends I tend to use slang, say y'all, and pronounce certain words differently than when I find myself in an interview, or presenting, or even when I am asking for directions. The voice I choose to speak with when talking to someone of authority, or a stranger, I have described as my "white voice". Why do I choose to use that as a description as to what my voice sounds like? That is because I was taught to believe that if you sound American (a.k.a. white) then that means you sound educated, you sound intelligent, and successful. I have been taught that speaking clearly and not having to struggle to translate words in my head means that I will succeed in America and that more opportunities are available for me. I fell into this belief as a child with my classmate's constant teasing at my accent, because it was "different," because I was struggling to get people to understand me. I set up a speech guard to protect myself, and as a result I no longer can "imitate" or do a Spanish accent. I have been told that I still have one, but that it is very slight, and I only get that comment from people whom I've grown close to. I have allowed them to hear me at my most comfortable state and as a result, there is my slight accent I haven't and don't want to get rid of.
I am even conscious of the way I speak Spanish, and how my mother taught me Spanish. She wanted me not to speak in profanity (like most do in her country) or to sound like I am not a native Spanish speaker. I, like many first generation Americans, have allowed myself to be 'Americanized', resulting in my native language no longer being the most dominant one, or my preferred language. I have noticed that other Latino first gen. children when speaking Spanish to their family, or when trying to talk to me in privet (yes I will speak Spanish when I think no one else in the perimeter speaks Spanish to tell a friend something) I can't help but hear their American accent in Spanish.
I don't want to sound Latina when I speak in English, and I don't want to sound American when I speak Spanish. I don't speak like I'm talking to a friend when I'm in an interview, and I don't speak "white" when I am with my friends. I speak to children in a kind high pitched voice unless I am disappointing in which I speak with authority. All of this is code switching and there is so much behind the term and what it looks like. It is fascinating when doing this self-reflection and so I ask you, the reader, to reflect and focus in your own code-switching, and ask yourself which one is "really" you?
