DW1a

The way I use my language differs drastically depending on the environment that I use it in. My language usage is also dictated by the intended audience. If I am at school, work, or am speaking with a sophisticated adult I try to use Standard English. This means that I use correct grammar, semantics, and style. For example, when writing an email to a professor I use words such as “regarding” instead of “about”. I tend to use diction that makes me sound intellectual. I also tend to alter simple introductions depending on the audience. When beginning a conversation with an adult I begin with, “how are you doing”, as opposed to the informal introduction to my friends, “what’s up”.
Just as my speech and writing is altered to fit Standard English, I also adapt my language to a more informal dialect when talking to my friends. When communicating with my friends over the internet, via facebook or email, I shorten words and use “bad” grammar. Since I do not feel the need to impress my peers, I use shortened words, slang, and incorrect punctuation.
Examples
Facebook- When writing a message to a friend it would read, “I like the pic”.
When using facebook I use:
· Abbreviation
· Simple sentences
· Incomplete sentences
· Slang
Phone- When I am speaking on the phone I am more inclined to use Standard English in order to best convey the message I want to get across. I speak using complete sentences and try to avoid using abbreviations.

One specific example that displays the differences in my speaking patterns is best exhibited through a job I had at a restaurant. At the restaurant I was a hostess, greeting and seating guests, and a busser. When a customer would come in I would use language appropriately for the situation. My tone, greeting, and diction were adapted in order to portray myself as a suitable and capable hostess and or busser. However, while at work when speaking with co-workers, my speech would again change in order to accommodate the different situation. I would speak more casually using informal jargon.