Dialect

In considering dialect, I would have to say that there are many factors that affect the way I talk. Codeswitching is a huge part of my life because I speak differently in different contexts. For example, when I'm with my friends, I might talk a bit more carelessly and inappropriately, while with my parents and at school, I speak in a completely different way.

I would also say that the cultural environment and the digital/media environment have impacts on the way I speak in different situations. For example, when speaking to my friends online or through text messages, I use a different sort of language that includes abbreviations or phrases that we only used over the Internet or texting. Examples of these include "lol (laugh out loud), idk (I don't know), and ttyl (talk to you later)." Because of the digital/media environments, when codeswitching to talking to my friends, all of them know the abbreviations and phrases as well.

I find it very interesting in thinking about how we unconsciously codeswitch in different situations. For example, in writing a paper for school, I would not use the phrases "lol" or "idk." I also would not use these phrases in talking to my parents or boss either.

I am looking forward to exploring more about dialect and codeswitching!