Day 1

A little after I got home, when my parents came back from work I switch coded from speaking English on the phone with my best friend to speaking Spanish to my parents because they don’t speak English. This was a radical change because the languages are completely different, but I’m used to it.

Day 2

I stayed after one of my classes to ask my professor something about the homework. While I was talking to him I tried to be polite and respectful. After I left his class I met up with my friend, but I wasn’t being as polite and respectful anymore because I felt more comfortable with her and also because she isn’t older than me. I was talking in a more relax way and using slangs.

Day 3

On this day I had to go out and ask a stranger some questions for my anthropology homework. Therefore after I was done with all my classes I went to the plaza and started talking to this girl who was pretty nice, but she was still being a stranger. I acted a little more shy since I didn’t really know her. I was being polite, respectful but also a little bit serious unlike how I would normally be with a friend.

Day 4

I wanted to buy a bagel before class because I knew I would be hungry later so I went to a deli on my way to Baruch. The ambiance of the place was calm and quite since it was early. I ordered my bagel in a serious but friendly voice. After I was handed my bagel I payed and politely said thank you to the people working there.

Day 5

In the afternoon while I was hanging out with my parents, my brother called me. I went to my room and immediately changed the way I spoke because my brother and I talk to each other in a different way. We usually joke around and make fun of each other, therefore I didn’t have to hold myself from saying anything rude or impolite, like I was doing when I was with my parents.

Day 6

As I was going into the gym I politely greeted at the receptionists there. I was being nice and smiling because I already knew them. We always have a small talk either when I walk in or when I’m leaving the gym. So I basically asked them about their day and told them that I would see them later (after my workout.) Although the girls that work there are around my age, I still treat them with a lot respect because we are not that close.

Day 7

This day I noticed that I code-switched when I talking to my uncle. He is much older than me, therefore I talked to him in a more respectful way and took care of my words because the way I speak to old people in my family is different than how I speak to my parents. I feel more comfortable with my parents so I don’t take as much care of my words as I do with the rest of my family.