Synthesis Essay – Mariamyi's world :)

After receiving feedback the changes I made to my synthesis essay was changing two sources and integrating two sentence summaries. I also tried to cut it down the best I could. Lastly, I cleaned up my introduction.

Translation 2

first Synthesis Essay:

The Harm of code-switchin

Language is more than just grammar, vocabulary or pronunciation, it is identity, history and belonging. Around the world people speak in ways shaped by culture, migration community and power. But in the United States which claims to value diversity there is still a silent rule about language. There is a “right” way to speak English and anything outside of it is judged. That pressure is especially strong for immigrants, bilingual speakers and people of color who grow up balancing one voice at home and another in public. This no longer becomes a skill. It has become painful. The act of shifting speech tone dialect or language based on who is listening is known as code switching. For many people, especially those with multilingual backgrounds, code switching becomes a way to survive school workplace expectations and social judgement. It can serve as a form of adaptability and cultural intelligence yet it can also create a distance between who someone is privately and how they feel forced to present themselves publicly. It makes one feel like a fraud. Like you have to fake who you are to fit in, basically a pick me.

Code switching is often misunderstood as a lack of intelligence, inconsistency or “improper speech” when in reality it demonstrates linguistic flexibility and cultural awareness. Still, even if code switching is a skill, the pressure to use it raises important questions about power belonging and whose language is considered valuable. There is a difference between choosing to code switch and feeling forced to do it to avoid being stereotyped, demised or disrespected. The difference revealed a larger issue of language discrimination. While code switching can be a meaningful tool that helps multilingual and marginalized speakers navigate different environments it becomes harmful when it is expected or necessary for someone to be taken seriously.

Growing up in bilingual households many students learn early that language is tied to reputation. At home speech may be fast mixed accented or playful without judgment. But instead classrooms or professional settings those same speech patterns are often labeled unprofessional or incorrect. For some Dominican students in New York City, for example, switching from Dominican Spanish or informal English to what is considered “Proper English” feels necessary to avoid being misunderstood or viewed a s less educated. Moments of correction such as a teacher repeating a student’s sentence in a “better” version of English or a classmate mocking an accent create silent lessons about whose language is accepted and whose is questioned. These experiences teach people to monitor their voice vocabulary and pronunciation depending on who is listening . Instead of feeling like natural communication, speaking becomes a performance that is constantly adjusted for approval. This shift reflects how early many multilingual speakers learn the expectations of language hierarchy and the consequences of stepping outside of it.

The experiences described earlier are reflected in works by writers like Amy Tan and Jamila Lyiscott who both examine how language shapes how individuals are perceived and how they understand themselves. In “Mothers Tongue,” Amy Tan demonstrates how her mother’s English labeled by others as “broken” affected how seriously people took her. Her mother possessed intelligence, independence and strong reasoning. Yet her accent and grammar determined the level of respect she received. Similarly Jamila Lyiscott’s spoken word piece “3 ways to speak English” exposed how society ranks languages and dialects treating some as professional and others as uneducated or inappropriate. However, Lysicott takes a different approach than Tan. Instead of focusing on the harm caused by judgment she reframes linguistic flexibility as a form of culture competence. Her performance proves that the ability to shift between dialects is not evidence of confusion but of linguistic mastery and community belonging. When read together these works reveal a pattern multilingual and marginalized speakers are often forced to adapt in order to avoid being dismissed yet their ability to do demonstrates skill rather than deficiency This tension reflects a larger issue in society one where english is divided into categories of “acceptable” and “less acceptable,” even though all forms communicate identity meaning and history.

Research further supports the idea that code switching is shaped by social expectations rather than personal preference. In a study on heritage spanish speakers in the united states Farah Ali examines how bilingual speakers adjust their language deepening on the space they are in and the people listening. Ali explains that “Interview data also suggest that code switching serves various socio pragmatic functions for participants”(Ali,p.1) This demonstrates that code switching is not random or careless speech, it is intentional and responsive to social context. However Ali also complicates the idea by revealing that this same linguistic flexibility is not viewed positively in all environments. She writes “Attitudes towards code-switching may also be domain-specific, where, as noted previously, code-switching may be viewed less favorably in more formal settings like the language classroom:”(Ali,p.17). Ali further highlights the “ Given the double stigma attached to both code-switching (Rangel et al., 2015) and to Spanish in the U.S.”(Ali.p.1) Together these findings show how code switching can function as a meaningful and adaptive skill But how it also becomes a response to pressure and judgment in environments where only “standard” English is treated as professional, intelligent or legitimate.

Beyond academic studies everyday sources reveal that the pressure to code switch affects emotional well being and how people see themselves. According to Cleveland clinic code switching can become emotionally draining when individuals feel they must change how they speak to be accepted. The article explains that “If you feel like you always have to put on this other identity or if you’re afraid that just being yourself would not be considered acceptable, then I think that code-switching can lead to feelings of low confidence,” (what is code switching?”) This shows that the expectation to adjust one voice is not only a linguistic shift but a shift in identity that can weaken self esteem over time. A similar pattern appears in workplace discussions. Diversity.com notes that the emotional effects of code switching can include loss of authenticity, emotional fatigue and even reduced job satisfaction. The article emphasizes that the “ long-term emotional cost is significant:” especially when people feel they must alter their natural speech or identity to sound “professional”(code switching in the workplace.) Together these sources reveal that code switching is not simply a communication strategy it can become a performance shaped by pressure and judgment. These emotional consequences connect back to the patterns identified by Ali, Tan and Lyiscott showing that when certain forms of english are valued more than others language becomes not only a way of speaking but a requirement for belonging.

Multimedia platforms also reveal how code switching is widely recognized as a social expectation rather than a neutral linguistic habit. In the TED talk “The cost of code switching” Chandra Arthur explains that shifting language styles is often necessary in order to appear professional or avoid judgment. She emphasizes how this constant adjustment can become emotionally draining, showing that code switching functions as a form of self protection rather than simple communication. A similar message appears in Harold Wallace III’S TEDx talk “everyday struggles:switching codes for survival” where he discusses how many people alter their speech to avoid negative assumptions and stereotypes. Wallace demonstrates how code switching can create tension between authenticity and belonging especially when individuals feel obligated to change how they speak in order to be respected. Together these multimedia examples illustrate that code switching is shaped by social expectations, power dynamics and the pressure to conform. Rather than being a purely linguistic skill these talks reveal how code switching operates as a negotiation between personal identity and societal acceptance.

While many discussions emphasize the emotional pressure associated with code switching some perspectives frame it as a meaningful skill rather than a disadvantage. In her spoken word poem “3 ways to speak English” Jamila Lyiscott demonstrates pride in her ability to shift between different language varieties presenting code switching as a form of cultural intelligence rather than something to hide. Her performance challenges the idea that one standardized form of English is superior, asserting that every language variety carries history and legitimacy. From this view point code switching reflects adaptability and linguistic fluency allowing individuals to move confidently across different communities and contexts. However while Lyiscott’s message highlights the empowering potential of code switching when self directed it does not erase the harm that occurs when switching becomes expected for acceptance, respect or credibility. The difference lies in choice. Code switching can be empowering when someone controls it but it becomes restrictive when instructions or social expectations demand it. This distinction reinforces that the issue is not the act of switching languages but the power structures that label veteran voices as “correct” and others as unprofessional or incomplete.

Language is often understood as a basic tool for communication but discussions surrounding code switching reveal that it is deeply connected to identity belonging and power. The examples examined in literature research studies non scholarly sources and Ted Talks demonstrate that code switching is far more complex than simply adjusting speech. Narratives such as Amy Tans illustrate how language can shape the way a person is treated while Jamila lyiscott’s work shows that shifting between different forms of English can represent cultural fluency and linguistic strength. Research like Farah Ali highlights how switching between languages of dialects often reflects social expectations and everyday sources expose the emotional tool that emerges when certain forms of speech are perceived as less acceptable. Multimedia perspectives that share lived experiences further show how code switching can function as a response to environments where certain voices are taken more seriously than others. Taken together these sources demonstrate that the debate around code switching is not about language itself but about the power structures that determine which voices are respected and which are demised. When switching is voluntary it can bridge communities and express multiple identities, However when it becomes a required performance to avoid judgment or access resources it reinforces linguistic hierarchies and pressures individuals to alter their voices to meet external standards. Recognizing the value of all language varieties challenges the idea that there is only one “correct” way to speak and affirms that language carries culture memory and identity. Understanding the complexity of code switching is a step toward creating environments where every voice is acknowledged and respected not only the ones that align with standardized expectations.

Cited work

Ali, Farah. “Code-Switching Among Heritage Spanish Speakers.” Critical Multilingualism Studies, Vol. 10, no. 2023, pp. 1-25

Arthur, Chandra. “The Cost of Code Switching.” TEDx Talks, uploaded by TEDx Talks, (1451) The Cost of Code Switching | Chandra Arthur | TEDxOrlando – YouTube

Halition, Daine. “What is Code-Switching and Why Does it Matter in communication?” Forbes, 13 Aug. 2025, What Is Code-Switching And Why Does It Matter In Communication?

Lyiscott, Jamila. “3 ways to speak English.” TED, 2014, Jamila Lyiscott: 3 ways to speak English | TED Talk

Sharma, Nirupika. “Let’s Talk About Code-Switching: A Double- Edged Soward.” UC Berkeley Graduate Division 2021Let’s Talk About Code-Switching: A Double-Edged Sword – Berkeley Graduate Division

Tan, Amy. “Mother Tounge.” The Threepenny Review, no. 43, 1990, pp. 7-8.

Wallace, Harold III. “Everday Strugles: Switching Codes for Survial.” TEDx, uploaded by TEDx Talks, Hulu on Disney+

Last Synthesis Essay:

The Harm of code-switching

Language is more than grammar, vocabulary or pronunciation; it carries identity, history and belonging. Across cultures and communities the way people speak reflects migration, upbringing and power. Yet in the United States, a country that claims to celebrate diversity, there remains an unspoken expectation that only one form of English is “professional,” “educated” or worthy of respect. This pressure is especially noticeable for immigrants, bilingual speakers, and people of color who grow up navigating one voice at home and another in public. What begins as a flexible skill can become emotionally draining especially when communication depends on anticipating judgment before speaking. The act of shifting tone dialect or language depending on the audience known as code switching becomes a way to survive school expectations, workplace standards and societal norms. Although code switching can be a meaningful and voluntary expression of cultural identity it becomes harmful when it is required in order to be respected or taken seriously because this expectation reinforces language hierarchies and exposes whose voices society values and whose it dismisses. Growing up bilingual I learned early that the way someone speaks can shape how they are treated. The first time I went to Manhattan with my cousins the moment we stepped off the train everything felt different. The air smelled like roasted nuts and street carts. People walked fast with designer bags swinging at their sides and every storefront window reflected polished clothing, clean English and what felt like a higher standard of belonging. As I started talking my cousin gently bumped my arm not hard but firm enough to send a message. Without looking at me she whispered, “Don’t talk like that here now. Yo we not ina hood no more chill act normal.” The sentence was quiet but it landed heavily. Suddenly the voice I used everyday, the mix of Dominican Spanish slang and rhythm, felt messy, loud and too out of place in a space that seemed built for a “perfect” polished English. What should have been a simple family outing became a quiet performance. I paid attention to every word adjusting tone and vocabulary like I was switching outfits to match a dress code. Speaking wasn’t just communication anymore it was survival.

Over time I realized that experience wasn’t unique or accidental. Many multilingual speakers learn how to reshape their voices not because they want to but because certain environments demand it in order to be respected or accepted. Just as my experience shows how language can determine how seriously a person is treated, Amy Tan illustrates a similar reality in her essay “Mothers Tongue.” In the piece, Tan reflects on how different forms of English she grew up speaking shaped how others perceived her and her mother. She describes a moment when her mother asked for information regarding her help about her medical information and also about a medical scan but was dismissed, ignored and spoken to impatiently until Tan intervened using standard English. Only then did the staff respond respectfully and resolve the issue. This example demonstrates how language does not simply communicate meaning it influences credibility, access and dignity. A similar tension appears in Jamila Lyiscott’s spoken word TED talk “3 ways to speak English.” In her performance, Lysiscott explains that she switches between three distinct forms of English depending on the space she is in and the people listening. She states “ I speak three languages, one for my family, one for my friends and one for the classroom,” reframing code switching not as a flaw or confusion but as a sign of cultural intelligence and versatility. While Tan’s experience reveals how code switching can become a response to judgment, Lyscott emphasizes reclaiming linguistic variation as a source of pride and identity. Together, both pieces reveal that the issue is not the existence of multiple Englishes but the way society assigns value to certain voices while discriminating against others.

Code switching may seem like a personal choice but research shows it is deeply shaped by social expectations and judgments. Many bilingual speakers are not switching because they want to but because certain ways of speaking are treated as more intelligent, professional or “acceptable” than others. Farah Ali, a researcher who studies bilingualism and sociolinguistic identity examines this pressure in her peer reviewed article “Code switching Among Heritage spanish speakers.” Her work focuses on how speakers adjust their language depending on who is listening and the environment there in revealing that code switching is often shaped by social expectations rather than personal choice. Ali explains that bilingual speakers change how they speak depending on who is listening and where they are noting that “attitudes toward code switching may also be viewed less favorably in more formal settings like the language classroom”(Ali 17). She further adds that because of the “double stigma attached to both code switching and Spanish in the U.S.”(1). What’s important about Ali’s findings is how clear;y they show that code switching is not simply a skill, it is something many people do to avoid judgment or disrespect. Her research connects back to the larger issue: code switching becomes harmful when it is expected or required, reinforcing the idea that only one version of English deserves respect.

While earlier sources show how code switching operates across culture and identity, workplace perspectives reveal how it functions as a form of professional survival. In her Forbes article “What is code switching and why does it matter in communion?” Communication researcher leadership expert Dr. Diane Hamiltion explains that code switching in her professional settings is often an adaptation strategy used to meet expectations about what “professional” communication should sound like. Hamilton points out that people frequently shift their vocabulary or accent depending on who they are speaking to because certain ways of speaking are perceived as more component educated or trustworthy in professional environments. This demonstrates that many individuals code switch not because they want to but because the workplace rewards a narrow definition of “acceptable” language. Instead of functioning as neutral or natural choice Hamiltions insight reveals that code switching becomes a way to avoid negative assumptions, protect credibility and maintain opportunities. Her perspective connects back to Ali academic research and the life experiences shared by Tan and Lyiscott reinforcing that the pressure to change one environment where standardized English is privileged. However while Hamilton focuses on external expectations and career identity other sources examine how this pressure affects emotional well being showing that the issue extends beyond professionalism into self expression and mental health. Furthermore educational institutions also acknowledge how code switching affects personal identity and emotional well being.

In the UC Berkeley Graduate Division article “Let’s Talk about code switching: A Double Edged Sword,” written by Nirupia Sharma for multilingual graduate students, she explains that code switching can feel empowering when it creates connection but draining when it becomes a constant expectation tied to belonging. The article notes that “the mental tool,” especially in spaces where standardized English is treated as a norm of intelligence or respectability. This example demonstrates how pressure to code switch can separate someone’s authentic voice from the version they feel obligated to perform. When read alongside Hamilton’s workplace perspective and eclair insights from Ali Tan and Lyiscott the berkeley article reinforces that the harm of code switching does not come from the act itself but from the expectation behind it. While the Berkeley article highlights emotional strain in academic settings, lived experiences shared through multimedia platforms further reveal how these pressures appear in everyday life not just in institutions but in moments where identity and belonging intersect.The emotional consequences of code switching becomes especially clear in the multimedia narratives that centered live experience rather than statics. Sope word artist and educator Harold Wallace III, in his TEDx talk “Every day struggles: Switching codes for survival,” describes how many black and brown speakers learn to adjust their voices as a form of protection navigating environments where their natural dialects can trigger bias or suspicion.

Wallace draws on his experience working in community spaces to show that code switching is often rotted in fear. Fear of being stereotyped, dismissed or treated as a threat which turns language into a survival strategy rather than a choice. A similar perspective appears in the TEDx talk “The cost of code switching” by tech entrepreneur and equity advocate Chandra Arthur who examines how constantly shifting speech can create a division between a person’s real identity and the version they feel pressured to perform in professional or social places. Arthur explains that people often code switch to feel “safe and accepted” and that this continuous self monitoring becomes emotionally draining over time. Together Wallace and Aurtehr demonstrate that the pressure to change one’s voice affects more than communicating it shapes confidence belonging and mental well being. Their narratives deepen the central argument that code switching becomes harmful when respect safely and opportunity depends on suppressing one authentic speech. Some argue that code switching is a valuable skill because it allows individuals to communicate effectively across different groups and situations. From this view shifting tone dialect is seen as a social awareness not pressure and can even be a source of confidence. This perspective suggests that multiple voices can expand opportunity rather than restrict it. There is truth in this idea many multilingual speakers learn to move between communities and those shifts can create connection belonging or even pride. However this claim ignores the deeper issue revealed in the experience of tan Lyiscott, Wallace and Ali’s research code switching becomes harmful when it is no longer optional. When people must change their voice to avoid judgment stereotypes or disrespect the “skill” turns into survival. The problem is not linguistic flexibility but the pressure behind it.

The voices explode throughout this essay show that code switching is shaped less by language ability and more by power judgment and belonging. Whether through Tan’s and Lyiscott’s narrative Ali’s research or multimedia perspectives of Wallce and Arthur a clean pattern appears, people often switch their speech to avoid bias rather than express identity. While code switching can be meaningful when it is freely chosen it becomes damaging when respect or safety depend on suppressing one’s authentic voice. Recognizing all forms of English as valid is essential to creating environments where people do not have to change who they are to be heard.