Do people modify their language according to who they are speaking to?

Answer 1

Yes, I think so... this is communication...

Remembered that last time you spoke to a foreign cleaner at the food centre, did you use your Queen English? : )

Answer 2

I know people that don't , but their communication skills aren't as good as those who DO modify their language according to who they are speaking to.
Best thing to do is to try and make yourself clear, so I encourage people to adapt to a situation...and if they can learn new languages to open more doors even better!
Cheers!

Answer 3

O yes,
Im a scot living in England, so I have to chang/modify my speach, or I would never get anywhere, you should see the hassel I have asking for a KitKat in the shop. Having said that some people lay it on, pretending they dont understand, its become second nature to them, ie a way of life get in you to repete your self all the time.

ta

Answer 4

Of course. This is not patronising. Language is for communication and there's no point in using vocabulary or constructions which go over the head of the person you're trying to communicate with. If I speak to non-native English speakers I try to pick up on their level of knowledge and adjust my English accordingly. By the way, it should be 'to whom'.

Answer 5

You need to change your language according to whom you are going to speak and what respect, your language and change with requirement.Even in business also you to use some time hard language ,so it all depends on circumstances.

Answer 6

I do all the time. I find myself altering my accent slightly depending who I'm with, not imitating theirs, just variations on my own. I speak very standard English with the Japanese tourists, a slightly slangier variety with my Filipino friends, slightly twangier with my close friends, faster with people from the East Coast.

At work, I explain things one way to an 85 year old with dementia, another to her daughter, another to her doctor, another to to her great-granddaughter. They may all be the same basic information but the vocabulary and assumed background knowledge varies.

Answer 7

That's the group behaviour thing.

We tend to modify behaviour and language according to the company we keep.

Though I will add that not everybody does do that.

Answer 8

If the person has any sense they do. You can't talk to everyone the same way. Business conversations versus personal conversations. People need to remember that not all styles of speaking are for everyone.

Answer 9

Definitely. I speak geek with my colleagues at work, but if I used the same language to my customers, they'd all sit there with blank expressions saying "whaaa?"

Answer 10

i try not to,because as far as i know in the uk
we still have free speech,
i try not to swear anyway, not because of the words are taboo
its just some words are better than swear words,
and i prefer to use them
however i do swear, when i performed the canterbury tales with in situ: i played the miller and every other word was F$$$,

Answer 11

I definitely do. It depends on their relationship with me (I don't speak in the same way to my closest friend as to a shop assistant), their intelligence (do I need to limit my vocabulary so they can understand me?) and whether or not I like them (how friendly I am.)