How do writers decide when to use another language or when to use a particular variety of English—when to insert an eastern Tennessee dialect or African American vernacular patterns into a formal essay, for example? 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 is appropriateness: you need to consider when such shifts will help you connect with your audience, get their attention, make a particular point, or represent the actual words of someone you are writing about.

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; in other communities, other audiences distrust speech that they consider “too proper.” Used appropriately and wisely, however, all varieties of English are legitimate and effective—and can serve good purposes.