http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zqPcAcAlr4
This video shows a dad and his son driving in a car and connects code
switching with their hybrid car. It demonstrates what the article is
talking about and appeals to the mixed identity of the code switchers.
However it also demonstrates how certain languages or forms of a language
are valued differently. Although it does not portray Spanish as bad or
ridicule the father for using it like the Puertorican children in the
article, this commercial subtly elevates English as the language that will
move them forward and provide them a brighter future. And not just any
English either, very standardized American English. But what's funny is
that the Spanish the father uses is also standardized. They are conveying a
subtle message that English will help them advance socially or financially
ect. But they draw this idea from the stereotype that native Spanish
speakers in America are uneducated. Using standardized versions of both
languages contradicts this stereotype and could be used as evidence that
code switching isn't used to cover up a speaker's ignorance like the
teachers in the article assume. Instead they use it for emphasis or to
express a certain opinion or idea that sounds better in one language or the
other.
I think that the standardized languages aspect of this commercial is indeed subtle. However I think that they are avoiding code switching. I think that instead of using the absence of code switching as a statement aspect of the commercial, I almost feel that they didn't use it out ignorance of it. The producers used standardized Spanish because they didn't realize they were making a social mistake.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the last statement that Julie said..."insted they use it for empahsis or to express a certain opinion or idea that sounds better in one language or the other." For example, the video we watched about the stand up comedian (or whatever he was) code switched frequently but when he needed to make things more dramatic or put more emphasis on it, he switched to spanish. A prime example of this is the diet pepsi commercial that spanish actress Sophia Vergara stars in. They play sexy spanish music in the background and in a strong accent, at the end she says "i've been looking for you all night" referring to the pepsi. This shows that having an accent or speaking a different language puts empahsis and makes things come across differently. Maybe this is why people feel the need to code switch.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2DFEd6ed34
I agree that this is a better example of why people use code switching. In code switching, you transfer from languages in order to portray a different identity. Switching in between identities is more like the way you act around your parents, compared to the way you act around your friends, and even towards a boss or professor. The statement that Julie said "instead they use it for emphasis or to express a certain opinion or idea that sounds better in one language or the other." This relates to the article we read about the texting in Africa. The language you use really alters the identity you are trying to portray.
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