How Language Defines Yourself

Language is one of the most powerful things that we need to survive in this world; without language, we could never be free enough to speak and to express what we want to say in our daily lives without using it. One way we can apply this is by code-switching. Code-switching as a concept is really interesting by definition it is what happens when people who speak multiple languages alternate between two or more often times within the same phrase or sentence. In a more colloquial sense, code-switching is what happens when people reflexively or subtly change the way they express themselves. We should code switch because in a way of code switching we could express easily the message we want to convey and also to feel more comfortable speaking in any situation that we are in. In addition to that code switching can help us for self defense or survival. In a real world scenario, millenials have many barriers that have to be overcome. This involves how we work when we are in our work environments, out with our colleagues, and even just being at home. We need to keep ourselves at adequate standards or desires that are laid out for us. It is not simply utilizing an alternate language, yet additionally blending in dialects for addressing to suit the audience.

As I follow my new path of learning a new language, it became more diverse for me to understand English with deep words and complex sentences. That is the reason why code switching became my way of seeing that language can change to different scenarios in a conversation. As Gloria Anzaldua reflects from one of her experiences, she stated “With Mexicans I’ll try to speak either Standard Mexican Spanish or the North Mexican dialect. From my parents and Chicanos living in the Valley, I picked up Chicano Texas Spanish, and I speak it with my mom, younger brother (who married a Mexican and who rarely mixes Spanish with English), aunts, and older relatives. (Anzaldua 79) It’s clear that Anzaldua agrees to the Code Switching and that it is normal for her to Code Switch. On the other hand, According to Vershawn Ashanti Young the author of “Nah We Straight” “There’s enough cultural, educational, and linguistic evidence to challenge and hopefully end code switching.” (Young 63) In my opinion, language can make a big difference in code switching in different situations. I therefore conclude that Code Switching is the key in helping someone who is struggling to learn a new language.

To begin with, I have always found it easy to give due respect to my Mom when communicating with her. Every time I asked her for something, I would say the word “paki” in Tagalog which means “can you”. I Code Switch to use the word “paki” in Filipino to display respect. It demonstrates how respectful I talk to her. In return, my mom would check on me every time I leave the house. For instance, whenever she send me a text message, I always make sure to type in “Ma” at the end of our conversation. I find this to be helpful in showing respect to her even when we’re chatting. So I guess, Code Switching is present everywhere, even in the social media. However, there are times whenever I fail to respond to her questions. This certain action doesn’t imply disrespect in any way. Sometimes, I maybe just too tired to respond whenever she asks me how my day was or a lot has happened that day for me to tell her in detail, about how it really went. The formality of language applies not only in being formal to people you give respect but it changes how the situation is for a conversation.

As for my dad, it feels very intriguing for me to share how I talk to him. Everytime we go into a conversation, I always remember to use the word “Po”—which is usually affixed at the end of a sentence or a phrase. The word “Po or Opo”, in Filipino, is the word we use to address an elderly person with respect. Strangely, I became accustomed to talking to him informally, which I believe emphasized the fact that we’re not only Father and Daughter but best of friends as well. For instance, I would tell him “Kupal, ginagawa nyue Daddy?” whenever I would catch him doing something funny. The word “Kupal”—which refers to a funny way of saying “what happened?”— and “ginagawa nyue”—which means “are you ok?”. In this type of conversation, these informal words coming out of my mouth are all common for me and my dad. This example shows how Code Switching can be a part of developing bonds between two people who have constant relationships like father and daughter. As my father, I would say he uses Code Switching too because other dads would not let their daughter use informal language to talk to them. But in our case, he is aware of the fact that even though I use some informal language to address his mistakes, he knows that I still respect him. That’s the reason why we’ve established a comfort in talking to each other, because he also Code Switches.

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When talking to my best friend, Christian, I would use informal or slang language. In every way I would talk to him, he would always call me “Bes” in short for “Best Friend”. Moreover, every-time he has a question which he will ask me in a formal way, “Hey Crissa, did you do the homework?” And I would always respond in a rude manner “Ewan ko sayo” which refer to as, “Mind your own business”. He would get the code which interprets to “I did the homework”. He would look at me in a sarcastic way and say “ano ba yan” which means “stop it”. The use of informal language or slang words in this conversation identifies how code switching is used in the everyday life of a bilingual person. Such as those times when he would annoyingly tell me, “Stop messing around” and I would say, “Eto na nga” which refers to “alright”. He would get the idea that I will stop messing around but, in reality, I was just setting a bait. I would pull off another joke and he would say, “Ha-Ha” in a sarcastic way. And with that, I would tell him “sira” which refers to “you’re crazy”.

However, for my uncle whom I talk to in a formal language, there are times when he would call me and ask for help. He would say “Oi Neng, can you lend me a hand here?” I would respond, “Sige ho kuya”. The word “Sige” refers to agreeing or obeying that person. The words “Ho Kuya” which means “Big Brother” and “Ho” for something that is used to show respect to elders. Although he was not my real brother, I was accustomed to using the word “Kuya” in addressing him. My aunties call my uncle “kuya” that is why we, as their nephews, got used to calling my uncle “brother” instead of “uncle”. For this example, we can see how code switching can change someone’s thinking on how a person should be called. In various details, to code switch to make words which are not designated to a particular thing happen to assign to it and make it a new word for that particular person or thing.

Most importantly, I am more formal when speaking to my professors and academic advisors. I address them using their highest position such as Doctor or Professor. For instance, when I talk to my academic counselor Ms. Lee in particular, I start by saying, “Good morning Ms. Lee, is it ok if you help me on choosing the right courses because I need to complete my IGETC?” I use the word “Is it ok?” to be more polite in asking a favor from an academic counselor. In addition, the way I call her “Ms” is my way of saying that I respect her with what she was intended of teaching me. She will reply “Yes, I would be happy to help you” from then on I know that the Code Switch worked already because if a student would be rude she would not be happy to help. It shows that politeness can be associated to Code Switch depending on how it was used on match by the situation. Another example of how I formally talk to a professor’s, every-time I want to ask a question I will always wait to ask at the end of the class. After the class, I would approach the professor by saying “Professor Meena, about our next assignment, when do we have to turn it in?” I start the sentence by addressing him as a “Professor” in a respectful way I would now start my question by saying the word “about” instead of asking my question right away. As for me, I naturally do this kind of Code Switch to people who are older than me. As I continue to Code Switch, I noticed that it became natural for me to sound respectful to everyone I believe who deserved to be respected.

To sum up it up that I discuss in this topic, I realized that language can really be a big influence on how to Code Switch in different situations not only to people who speak English as a second language always had a hard time on getting the humorous sense of English which can lead for them to be bad at conversations. That is where Code Switching can be useful for people who are getting a hard time adapting to the new language. Therefore, code switching must can be the key to fulfilling the inadequacy of a person who struggles to learn a new language.