Monday 9/12: Tonight, I went to a dance class and watched as my fellow dancers, myself included, code switched when the teacher entered the room. In the time before class that we have to mingle and pre-stretch/warm up on our own, we had each been talking like one would with their friends. However, when our teacher came in, we switched over to a just as fun but a bit more professional way of thinking. We code switch all of the time without realizing it because we are so accustomed to it.
Tuesday 9/13: Today my friend and I decided to stay in the library for a bit after class to complete some work. After leaving we decided to grab dinner at this diner in Brooklyn and while we were sitting at our booth, I noticed what seemed to be a mother and her three sons sitting adjacent from us. I couldn’t help but overhear the young boys code switching when talking to each other, then their mom, then the waiter. Then I realized that my friend and I were also code switching, we went from laughing with each other like two idiots to pulling it together each time our waiter came over.
Wednesday 9/14: While at school today, I realized that I code switch when talking to different friends. For example, my best friend and I talk super freely with each other meaning we’re very honest with our feelings and there’s a mutual understanding that we both have the others back in the best way. When talking to my new friends, I haven’t known them as long so of course I don’t speak to them the same way. Kinda interesting how that works.
Thursday 9/15: When I got home today, I saw my mom talking to one of our older neighbors (she is the mother of my mom’s childhood best friend) who mainly speaks Spanish. My mom later told me that they were talking about the older woman’s cats, regardless my mom saw me walking down the block during their conversation and quickly switched to English to tell me that dinner was ready and to leave the door unlocked because she’d be right in, and just as quickly she went back to her conversation in Spanish.
Friday 9/16: Tonight, I watched the sunset. Sunsets have always been a favorite of mine and beach sunsets in particular have always filled me with joy. While my friend and I were walking on the beach we passed by this group of people playing beach volleyball. They seemed like they were having such a great time with all the yelling and healthy competitiveness coursing through their veins. You could hear them all smack talking each other while they were in the zone, except from when the ball bounced over towards me. Catching it, I tossed it back to them and almost immediately all of their tones changed into many thanks as opposed to harsh competition with their peers. I feel like code switching becomes so natural that at some point we forget we’re doing it.
Saturday 9/17: (writing this the day after) Last night (Saturday) my friends and I went to this rooftop party in the city. Of course, I knew some people there and was introduced to others. Four guys approached my friends and I while mid conversation and we all code switched, as if it was second nature, when introducing ourselves to these new faces for the first time.
Sunday 9/18: My best friend and I went out to lunch today at an Italian restaurant in bay ridge. After we ordered our food and returned our menus, I noticed what I believe was a family of four seated a couple tables away from us. Because it wasn’t too busy, I was able to overhear their conversation which caught my attention because what seemed to be the youngest child was talking to the waiter in Italian; and after their menus collected, she switched back over to English. Who I think were her parents were expressing how proud they were of her; I can assume maybe she’s learning Italian, and this was one of her first times taking it for a spin in the real world. Needless to say, it was pretty cool to witness.
It was very interesting reading your code switching log. It was very intriguing the way you not only started to take note of when you code switched but also when those around you would do so.