Even writers who are perfectly fluent in several languages must think carefully before switching linguistic gears. The key to shifting effectively among varieties of English and among languages (known to linguists as “code-switching”) is appropriateness: you need to consider when such shifts will help you connect with the members of your audience, get their attention, make a particular point, or represent the actual words of someone you are writing about.

Because standard academic English will still be the expected variety of English for most if not all your writing for your classes, you should know how to use it effectively. But you may also choose to use another language or another variety of English for rhetorical purpose or special effect. Strong writers learn to use all their languages and language varieties in the most appropriate and powerful ways.

Sometimes writers’ choices are limited by various kinds of pressures. One example is the tendency of many to discriminate against those who fail to use an expected variety of English. Some listeners discriminate against speakers of so-called nonstandard varieties of English; other audiences distrust speech that they consider “too proper.” Used appropriately and wisely, however, all varieties of English can be legitimate and effective—and can serve good purposes.

Video Prompt: Correctness in context