Code-switching: the origins, purpose and pitfalls
Politics tamfitronics Code-switching is a term used in linguistics to describe tailoring your language to your present social context(Image credit: Illustration by Stephen Kelly / Getty Images) published 11 September 2024 Vice President Kamala Harris ruffled some feathers when she appeared to adopt a different tone or accent with a crowd than she had previously during her recent campaign trip to Detroit to talk about labor unions. As videos circulated of the speech, her critics accused her of using linguistic pandering and being inauthentic. However, many rushed to her defense, noting there is a name for what Harris was doing: code-switching.What is code-switching, and why do people do it?Politics tamfitronics Subscribe to The WeekEscape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.SUBSCRIBE & SAVEPolitics tamfitronics Sign up for...
