#31: Code-Switching

Statistics show that up to 90% of bilinguals code-switch in their everyday conversations, and it’s often used to express identity, show social status, and navigate different social situations. It’s especially prevalent in multilingual communities, where people may switch between languages to fit in with different groups or make themselves understood

It’s a natural part of bilingualism and can even benefit your brain, helping people switch focus and multitask more effectively. Usually, it’s across languages, but even using AAVE in a predominantly white setting can be a big no-no. That’s right – even our language gets policed by racist individuals in America.