Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Code-Switching?HistoryExamplesPros and ConsImpact on BIPOC GroupsCreating Safer Spaces

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Is Code-Switching?

History

Examples

Pros and Cons

Impact on BIPOC Groups

Creating Safer Spaces

Close

The term “code-switching” refers to a behavior whereBIPOCswitch from one dialect to another and go from speaking in their home dialect to a different language or accent depending on who they are around.The term code-switching is gaining mainstream recognition both in communities of color and amongstWhite folks.

Code-switching occurs as a form of self-protection and safety from judgment andmicroaggressions. Read on to learn more about code-switching, its history, how it impactsBIPOCfolks, and how we can work towards creating safer spaces for all.

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To learn more about how this term applies today, Verywell Mind reached out toLondyn Miller, LMFT and Marriage and Family Therapy doctoral candidate. “I would define code-switching as anytime a person switches their language depending on the people they are around, typically to fit in,” she explained.

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History of Code-Switching

Standard American English Is Considered the ‘Norm’

SAE is a loaded term since America is a multicultural society yet the standard is exclusionary to people of different cultures,underscoring why many communities find code-switching necessary.

Since a college education and no accent characterize the standard of language, it can be very othering to communities who may be bilingual or where English is their second language as well as those who haven’t had theprivilegeof accessing a college education.

African American EnglishIn contrast to SAE is African American English (AAE), sometimes referred to as Ebonics. AAE is a dialect native to African Americans utilized within the Black community that draws on the Bantu languages of West Africa.

African American English

In contrast to SAE is African American English (AAE), sometimes referred to as Ebonics. AAE is a dialect native to African Americans utilized within the Black community that draws on the Bantu languages of West Africa.

Code-switching isn’t limited to being a dynamic between Black and White folks. It is also used amongst bilingual communities when folks who share the same language shift into their native tongue, switching from SAE.

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Examples of Code-Switching

If code-switching is a new term to you, you may be wondering what this could look like in everyday scenarios. Perhaps you’re a person of color curious if you’re code-switching, or maybe you’re someone wondering if you’re contributing toan environmentwhere people of color feel they must code-switch.

Below are some examples of what code-switching can look like—remember, it won’t be the same for everyone:

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Pros and Cons of Code-Switching

Code-switching is a product ofsystemic racismand can demandemotional laborfrom and cause stress to those who feel the need to shift their vernacular in specific spaces.However, it is a practice that surprisingly presents some pros and unsurprisingly reaps some cons.

ProsHelps marginalized folks ‘fit in’ with the dominant groupMay help BIPOC feel safer in White spaces (though not completely a pro, because it is based on making White people more comfortable)Might help BIPOC groups navigate various environments more safelyMay protect BIPOC from judgment, discrimination, and violence; allows selective sharing (only with whom it’s safe to share)ConsCan be emotionally drainingMay make BIPOC groups feel like they can’t be their true selvesActs as a reminder of oppressive systemsCauses tension between self-expression and social acceptanceRequires emotional energy invested into worrying about “acting right” and coming across as “acceptable” to White people

ProsHelps marginalized folks ‘fit in’ with the dominant groupMay help BIPOC feel safer in White spaces (though not completely a pro, because it is based on making White people more comfortable)Might help BIPOC groups navigate various environments more safelyMay protect BIPOC from judgment, discrimination, and violence; allows selective sharing (only with whom it’s safe to share)

Helps marginalized folks ‘fit in’ with the dominant group

May help BIPOC feel safer in White spaces (though not completely a pro, because it is based on making White people more comfortable)

Might help BIPOC groups navigate various environments more safely

May protect BIPOC from judgment, discrimination, and violence; allows selective sharing (only with whom it’s safe to share)

ConsCan be emotionally drainingMay make BIPOC groups feel like they can’t be their true selvesActs as a reminder of oppressive systemsCauses tension between self-expression and social acceptanceRequires emotional energy invested into worrying about “acting right” and coming across as “acceptable” to White people

Can be emotionally draining

May make BIPOC groups feel like they can’t be their true selves

Acts as a reminder of oppressive systems

Causes tension between self-expression and social acceptance

Requires emotional energy invested into worrying about “acting right” and coming across as “acceptable” to White people

Pros of Code-Switching

“Code-switching can help people of color developresiliencyin a racist nation like the United States,” Miller explains. According to Miller, code-switching can serve as a reminder to non-BIPOC folks we live in a society that often isn’t welcoming of the dialect and cultural norms, values, and strengths of BIPOC communities. Though this is a solemn reminder, it may also spark awareness and inspire change amongst those who hold privilege in our world, so that a safe space for all may be created.

Research also backs up the fact that there are positive aspects of code-switching. For example, an article outlining the role of code-switching in English as a Foreign Language classes found that alternating between speaking a foreign language and a native language facilitates comfort and can even enhance learning outcomes.

This example could also apply to non-academic settings. For instance, employees of color who share a mother tongue or dialect might use it with each other at work, which could lead to great comfort and kinship in the corporate environment.

Cons of Code-Switching

An obvious con of code-switching isthe labor it puts on people of color.It can be tiresome to feel thatit isn’t safeto fully and comfortably express yourself, potentially leading to resentment andburnout.

Code-switching can also serve as a constant reminder of the systemic racism people of color are subjected to.

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How Code-Switching Impacts BIPOC Groups

Double Consciousness

“Double consciousness” is a term that was created withBlack folksin mind, though it can apply to people of color in general.

What Does ‘Double Consciousness’ Mean?It refers to how Black folks look at themselves through the lens of thedominant society, meaning there is a consciousness of their Black identity and a consciousness of how the dominant culture sees them.

What Does ‘Double Consciousness’ Mean?

It refers to how Black folks look at themselves through the lens of thedominant society, meaning there is a consciousness of their Black identity and a consciousness of how the dominant culture sees them.

This concept can lend to a feeling of being split and that it is unsafe to be one’s full self in the dominant society.

Double-consciousness often leads to feelings of isolation. As a result, there are many negative mental health effects linked with double-consciousness including stress, loneliness, anxiety, frustration, anger, and sadness.

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How Can We Create Safer, More Inclusive Spaces?

Shifting the need to code-switch in our daily environments will require thosewho wield power to make some changes. The following can help make it a safer environment so people may not feel as much pressure or need to code-switch:

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A Word From Verywell

Although code-switching may be a regular occurrence for those belonging to marginalized groups, it can still be isolating and emotionally draining. If you find that you’re feeling distressed, discussing your concerns with a therapist can be helpful in helping you heal from racial trauma and microaggressions. Moreover, if you’re someone who is on ananti-racist journey, consider the tips above to expand your awareness and to help you take action to contribute to safer and more welcoming spaces for all.

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8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wood NI.Departing from doctor-speak: a perspective on code-switching in the medical setting.J GEN INTERN MED. 2019;34(3):464-466. doi: 10.1007/s11606-018-4768-0Freeland LS.Language of the Sierra Miwok. Baltimore, MD: Waverly Press, Inc., 1951.Ndemanu MT.Ebonics, to be or not to be? A legacy of trans-atlantic slave trade.J Black Stud. 2015;46(1):23-43. doi: 10.1177/0021934714555187Cahyani H, Courcy M de, Barnett J.Teachers’ code-switching in bilingual classrooms: exploring pedagogical and sociocultural functions.Int J Biling Educ Biling. 2018;21(4):465-479. doi: 10.1080/13670050.2016.1189509McCluney CL, Durkee MI, Smith RE, Robotham KJ, Lee SSL.To be, or not to be…Black: The effects of racial codeswitching on perceived professionalism in the workplace.J. Exp. Soc. Psychol.. 2021;97:104199. doi: 10.1016/j.jesp.2021.104199Haliza Engku Ibrahim E, Ismail Ahamad Shah M, Tgk. Armia N.Code-switching in english as a foreign language classroom: teachers’ attitudes.ELT. 2013;6(7):p139.Bruce DD.W. E. B. Du Bois and the Idea of Double Consciousness.American Literature.1992;64(2):299–309.Itzigsohn J, Brown K.Sociology and the theory of double consciousness: w. E. B. Du bois’s phenomenology of racialized subjectivity.DBR. 2015;12(2):231-248. doi: 10.1017/S1742058X15000107

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wood NI.Departing from doctor-speak: a perspective on code-switching in the medical setting.J GEN INTERN MED. 2019;34(3):464-466. doi: 10.1007/s11606-018-4768-0Freeland LS.Language of the Sierra Miwok. Baltimore, MD: Waverly Press, Inc., 1951.Ndemanu MT.Ebonics, to be or not to be? A legacy of trans-atlantic slave trade.J Black Stud. 2015;46(1):23-43. doi: 10.1177/0021934714555187Cahyani H, Courcy M de, Barnett J.Teachers’ code-switching in bilingual classrooms: exploring pedagogical and sociocultural functions.Int J Biling Educ Biling. 2018;21(4):465-479. doi: 10.1080/13670050.2016.1189509McCluney CL, Durkee MI, Smith RE, Robotham KJ, Lee SSL.To be, or not to be…Black: The effects of racial codeswitching on perceived professionalism in the workplace.J. Exp. Soc. Psychol.. 2021;97:104199. doi: 10.1016/j.jesp.2021.104199Haliza Engku Ibrahim E, Ismail Ahamad Shah M, Tgk. Armia N.Code-switching in english as a foreign language classroom: teachers’ attitudes.ELT. 2013;6(7):p139.Bruce DD.W. E. B. Du Bois and the Idea of Double Consciousness.American Literature.1992;64(2):299–309.Itzigsohn J, Brown K.Sociology and the theory of double consciousness: w. E. B. Du bois’s phenomenology of racialized subjectivity.DBR. 2015;12(2):231-248. doi: 10.1017/S1742058X15000107

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Wood NI.Departing from doctor-speak: a perspective on code-switching in the medical setting.J GEN INTERN MED. 2019;34(3):464-466. doi: 10.1007/s11606-018-4768-0Freeland LS.Language of the Sierra Miwok. Baltimore, MD: Waverly Press, Inc., 1951.Ndemanu MT.Ebonics, to be or not to be? A legacy of trans-atlantic slave trade.J Black Stud. 2015;46(1):23-43. doi: 10.1177/0021934714555187Cahyani H, Courcy M de, Barnett J.Teachers’ code-switching in bilingual classrooms: exploring pedagogical and sociocultural functions.Int J Biling Educ Biling. 2018;21(4):465-479. doi: 10.1080/13670050.2016.1189509McCluney CL, Durkee MI, Smith RE, Robotham KJ, Lee SSL.To be, or not to be…Black: The effects of racial codeswitching on perceived professionalism in the workplace.J. Exp. Soc. Psychol.. 2021;97:104199. doi: 10.1016/j.jesp.2021.104199Haliza Engku Ibrahim E, Ismail Ahamad Shah M, Tgk. Armia N.Code-switching in english as a foreign language classroom: teachers’ attitudes.ELT. 2013;6(7):p139.Bruce DD.W. E. B. Du Bois and the Idea of Double Consciousness.American Literature.1992;64(2):299–309.Itzigsohn J, Brown K.Sociology and the theory of double consciousness: w. E. B. Du bois’s phenomenology of racialized subjectivity.DBR. 2015;12(2):231-248. doi: 10.1017/S1742058X15000107

Wood NI.Departing from doctor-speak: a perspective on code-switching in the medical setting.J GEN INTERN MED. 2019;34(3):464-466. doi: 10.1007/s11606-018-4768-0

Freeland LS.Language of the Sierra Miwok. Baltimore, MD: Waverly Press, Inc., 1951.

Ndemanu MT.Ebonics, to be or not to be? A legacy of trans-atlantic slave trade.J Black Stud. 2015;46(1):23-43. doi: 10.1177/0021934714555187

Cahyani H, Courcy M de, Barnett J.Teachers’ code-switching in bilingual classrooms: exploring pedagogical and sociocultural functions.Int J Biling Educ Biling. 2018;21(4):465-479. doi: 10.1080/13670050.2016.1189509

McCluney CL, Durkee MI, Smith RE, Robotham KJ, Lee SSL.To be, or not to be…Black: The effects of racial codeswitching on perceived professionalism in the workplace.J. Exp. Soc. Psychol.. 2021;97:104199. doi: 10.1016/j.jesp.2021.104199

Haliza Engku Ibrahim E, Ismail Ahamad Shah M, Tgk. Armia N.Code-switching in english as a foreign language classroom: teachers’ attitudes.ELT. 2013;6(7):p139.

Bruce DD.W. E. B. Du Bois and the Idea of Double Consciousness.American Literature.1992;64(2):299–309.

Itzigsohn J, Brown K.Sociology and the theory of double consciousness: w. E. B. Du bois’s phenomenology of racialized subjectivity.DBR. 2015;12(2):231-248. doi: 10.1017/S1742058X15000107

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