Explain how that language or variation is different from similar languages, too.

Step 1: Read:
Please read “Mother Tongue” and watch “3 Ways to Speak English” BEFORE completing this Discussion.
The short story, “Mother Tongue” by Amy Tan (Links to an external site.)
The TED talk, “3 Ways to Speak English” by Jamila Lyiscott ( watch on youtube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9fmJ5xQ_mc
Step 2: Summarize:
Please briefly summarize both of these texts in 4-6 sentences each.
Step 3: Reflect:
Then, I’d like you to identify two different areas of your life where you find yourself code-switching. For each area, explain what languages (or variations of that language) you switch between in this situation. Please describe these in detail so that we can understand. Perhaps you could give examples of vocabulary or phrases you would use in one, but not in the other.
Explain how that language or variation is different from similar languages, too. (For example, “Spanish” is a language with many variations, too, so you can’t just say “I speak English and Spanish.” Dig deeper than that. Be more specific. There’s a difference between Puerto Rican Spanish and Uruguayan Spanish, or between English spoken in Alabama and English spoken in Brooklyn, or between the English spoken amongst clothing designers and the English spoken amongst biophysicists. Think carefully about the exact variations or languages what makes them different. Then explain them so that someone who does not speak the language(s) can understand.)
Remember that you can also code-switch in English from “professional” variations of English to other kinds of English. You do not have to be multilingual to complete this assignment.
Other questions to consider in your response:
Who do you speak with in each of the two scenarios you’ve chosen?
What does the way you speak to these people say about your relationship with them or about the situations you speak with them in?
What associations or feelings are tied to those different languages (or different variations of a language) for you?
Note:
Again, remember that I’m asking for two places, situations, or scenarios where you code-switch, not just one. This means you will be describing two experiences you have had with code-switching, not just one.
Please organize your response in a way that’s easy to follow. Also, proofread your response to make sure that it is as clear as possible. Provide translations (in parentheses) if you write anything we might not be able to understand. This is a writing class–think carefully about what you are writing and how you can make it as clear as possible for me, the reader.
I expect your response to be at least 250 words long.

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