Pros And Cons Of Code Switching

Code Switching is the practice of alternating between two or more languages or varieties of language and tonal registers in different situations or settings. There are many different versions of code switching but African American Vernacular English also known as Ebonics. Tons of people can switch between languages, volumes and even change the way you speak to adults and friends. Every black American is bilingual, in a sense of being able to effectively use our “street slang” and “professional vernacular”, or what linguist call Standard American English. If you ask a linguist they will say black English is correct English, but many business owners believe that their a substandard dialect. Historically, when Africans were enslaved and brought to America they were forced to learn a new
The negative connotation of black english are always stigmatized and deemed as uneducated when really, it’s just a different variety. As a Black women growing up with a half white mother and black/Haitian father I really change the way I speak a lot. Depending on which side of my family I’m with and if they’re and adult or child I do change which dialect I use and the tone of my voice. With my Mother’s Fathers side of the family, which is white I use standard english and my tone is very moderate. On my Mothers Mother’s side, which is black I do use more AAVE terms and my tone ranges from moderate to loud. On my Fathers Mothers side, which is Haitian I use more creole mixed with black english and im usually loud. I’ve never realized as a child I was doing this but once I got into my late years of highschool I noticed how often and how easily it happens. I don’t even have to think about it anymore it’s an involuntary action. Code Switching is important and it does help you connect with different people, situation and aspects of your life but I don’t think it should be seen as depraved if you don’t or aren’t able to do