First –let’s start off with the definition of code-switching for those of you who have no idea what that is.
Code-switching occurs when a speaker alternates between two or more languages, or language varieties to fit the acceptable standards of language.
For me, a southern African American woman raised in the “hood” that means switching to my “white voice” in specific settings. Now before ya’ll get started, of course, I KNOW that there is no such thing as “talking white”, but for this purpose, I’m just going to call it what it’s referred to call in my type of community. Because let’s be honest, no matter what we call it – someone will be offended. If I refer to it as “talking proper” as most of you would prefer, that implies that the way I, and many others, speak is “improper” –and that’s subjective.
But back to the point.
Since starting college, I have realized that I am usually surrounded by people of color who have experienced being told that they “talk white” growing up, and all of the stigmas that come with that. From people assuming that they’re stuck up or assuming that they think they’re better than their peers. I have experienced the opposite side of that spectrum; people thinking I’m unintelligent or that I am not good enough because I talk “hood” or “black”. Both experiences are hard, but the second experience is not one that is talked about often. At least not in my opinion.
I do things like say “dat” instead of “that”, and other mishaps I don’t really notice until someone is correcting (or snickering) at me. I’m so used to it that I’ve learned not to take offense. But it’s still upsetting, however, that people think the way you speak equates to your level of intelligence. Instead of just contributing it to culture or class.
Initially, when I started being around more people who weren’t from the “hood” (and I use that term loosely, I know that this doesn’t apply to everyone), I felt the need to code switch. It wasn’t like it was anything that I was unfamiliar with.
I had learned from calling my mom’s job and hearing the way she talks or going anywhere with a family that was considered a professional place, that this is what we do.
We put on our best “white” voice. So that we don’t sound dumb.
But it gets pretty annoying trying to be careful about the words I chose. It gets pretty annoying trying to make sure I “sound smart” or “proper”. It gets pretty annoying not being able to just talk.
So, I decided that I am just going talk how I talk and let people assume whatever they would like. Because it’s not that I don’t know the “correct” way to speak, I just don’t speak that way. Â
I’m done code-switching. You gonna get this hood talk.
It’s long overdue that the stigma of not speaking “proper” is removed. All of the stigmas – judging people for dressing “ghetto”, wearing their hair “ratchet”, etc. It’s time to realize that “hood” is actually a culture, and culture does not equal intelligence. I know so many intelligent people in the hood, people who can make something out of nothing. Only intelligence equals intelligence. -HCXO!