Is changing the way I talk depending on who I'm around a good or bad thing?

Question

I talk with doctors, lawyers, and professors with big fancy words and I talk with people who use street slang and ebonics. I'm always irritated when highly educated people use the big words around those who don't understand it or don't use those words - like they're re-emphasizing their upperclass status over the others.

But am I insulting those who use street slang when I use their terms when I'm around them?

Answer 1

It depends on your attitude and why you're doing it. For example, I come from a rural background--my family are farmers, country bumpkins, what have you. I'm a professor. I find I speak more like my family when I'm around them. But, I don't do it to imitate them, or feel like they couldn't understand me if I didn't--that kind of talk is part of who I am, just a part of me I don't use often.

If you feel like the different types of talk are part of who you are, then speak in a way that makes you comfortable in whatever situation. But if you feel like you're doing it just to make others feel a certain way, like "I'm like you," then it could be a bit condescending.

Put another way--it would be inappropriate for me to "talk like a professor" with my grandmother. It would also be inappropriate for me to talk to my students in the way I talk to my grandmother.

Answer 2

Well, you are assuming certain people don't understand words over a certain length, so that IS a bit insulting! but the real problem is that you don't seem to feel comfortable being yourself with any of these groups. You shouldn't need to change yourself or your speech patterns for anyone else. It's almost as if you don't know how you want to speak yourself. Decide on that and then use that! how do you speak in your head when you're alone?

Answer 3

Bad. There is a limit to "When in Rome, do as the Romans do".
Possibly, you should just be yourself. Talk how you do normally, all the time. If it is big words or ebonics, just talk how you talk. Do you wear different clothes when you talk to Dr.s and lawyers than you wear when you talk to your "street" friends?

Answer 4

I don't think you're necessarily insulting them unless you're speaking to them in a condescending manner.

The fact that you are aware of the different backgrounds of others and try to communicate accordingly, in MY opinion, shows compassion to those around you. And that's a good thing.

Answer 5

Of course not. Language is about communication. Communication is about exchanging information.

Answer 6

Always be yourself.