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How many forms of English do you speak?
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Was having a lovely conversation with one of my bestest friends today and we were talking about code switching. I know I’ve done a psychobabble thread about this topic before but today I wanted to ask what different forms of language you use and in what contexts?
I’ll go into more detail in a bit but a short answer for me would be that I often speak a specific slang that I’m not sure what it’s called but is heavily influenced by Jamaican patois and modern day Black British culture.
Talk to me.  |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Continued: I often speak a specific slang that I’m not sure what it’s called but is heavily influenced by Jamaican patois and modern day Black British culture. And I mostly use this in the context of around friends but have found myself using it in work settings with Black colleagues and *very occasionally* with young people I’ve worked with as a tool/ barrier breaker.
Funny experience is talking with a Black (said because I think it’s somewhat relevant here) colleague I’d just met and slipped into some of these language uses and other (non black) colleagues asked if we knew each other - we didn’t. These forms of language, not just my example can be real comforters and real moments to be more ‘yourself’ in contexts you’re often not allowed to be.
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Also something else to note I feel- I often totally feel like there’s pushback on this specific type of language in the forums which irks me. And maybe that’s for another thread but I do not the way language barriers create additional masks. That’s also not just specific to me I’m sure other people on here don’t get to use language in the ways they’re most comfortable on here. - see constant threads about text speak and abbreviations. But it’s interesting because it in many ways just reproduces notions of ‘good English’ or ‘correct English’. I wondered on my old thread if it creates an alternation with your true self but reflecting today I wonder if it actually just reinforces dominant language ideals and stops us being our most comfortable selves even in our private lives. Thoughts thoughts thoughts. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"I speak 'narm to my family and
Estuary English to most people.
"
What’s narm? Narm to me growing up was Peckham 
I think I know what Estuary English is |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Nottinghamshire slang,
Northern
Military
None am I qualified in "
Oooo I think the military culture is an interesting one! Nice addition! These are cool |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Nottinghamshire slang,
Northern
Military
None am I qualified in
Oooo I think the military culture is an interesting one! Nice addition! These are cool "
Lots filter down into civilian life
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By *ad NannaWoman
over a year ago
East London |
"I speak 'narm to my family and
Estuary English to most people.
What’s narm? Narm to me growing up was Peckham
I think I know what Estuary English is "
'narm is Dagenham, Pickle.
We're common as muck and talk fast. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Nottinghamshire slang,
Northern
Military
None am I qualified in
Oooo I think the military culture is an interesting one! Nice addition! These are cool
Lots filter down into civilian life
"
Tell us some? Do you use different language with military friends or veterans than say those that haven’t been in the military |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"I speak 'narm to my family and
Estuary English to most people.
What’s narm? Narm to me growing up was Peckham
I think I know what Estuary English is
'narm is Dagenham, Pickle.
We're common as muck and talk fast."
It’s so interesting how like it’s Dagenham to you and Peckham to me and in itself is a reflection of those differences in language |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Depends where I am
If at home I get told I speak Mancunian
If I’m in Manchester I get told I am now a cockney twat
"
Do you speak differently though, with Mancunians and southerners? More than just accent but in words too? I think accent is also a key factor though |
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Jeez... lots Pickles.
I swim in many ponds with different types/class of people and can happily hold a known convo in most, that are over the age of 40. I know that's my fault for not being upto date with the kids, but I am old fashioned English at my core
Accents hold me back though, as I find it hard to hear and understand them, glaswegian Is my worst I'd say 
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Nottinghamshire slang,
Northern
Military
None am I qualified in
Oooo I think the military culture is an interesting one! Nice addition! These are cool
Lots filter down into civilian life
Tell us some? Do you use different language with military friends or veterans than say those that haven’t been in the military "
There’s lots of military slang terms that are used in civilian life to
But different arms have different terms for words too especially RM I think it’s wax poisoning from all the crayons they eat
It’s not complicated to be fair it’s more that you put two ex mil together and it’s hard to follow what is being said to a non mil person.
 |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I honestly don't think I change it up that much.
That’s really interesting. I think that’s like the ideal"
I see myself as somewhere in the middle of most anyway, and if I don't fit in it's really not my problem. If you know what I mean? |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"Nottinghamshire slang,
Northern
Military
None am I qualified in
Oooo I think the military culture is an interesting one! Nice addition! These are cool
Lots filter down into civilian life
Tell us some? Do you use different language with military friends or veterans than say those that haven’t been in the military
There’s lots of military slang terms that are used in civilian life to
But different arms have different terms for words too especially RM I think it’s wax poisoning from all the crayons they eat
It’s not complicated to be fair it’s more that you put two ex mil together and it’s hard to follow what is being said to a non mil person.
"
I imagined that it would be hard to follow  |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"I honestly don't think I change it up that much.
That’s really interesting. I think that’s like the ideal
I see myself as somewhere in the middle of most anyway, and if I don't fit in it's really not my problem. If you know what I mean?"
I do but equally that comes with a certain confidence that your English is widely accepted as ‘good’ or ‘good enough’. For example in a ‘professional’ context it’s easy enough to follow and not deemed ‘unprofessional’. If that makes sense? |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Jeez... lots Pickles.
I swim in many ponds with different types/class of people and can happily hold a known convo in most, that are over the age of 40. I know that's my fault for not being upto date with the kids, but I am old fashioned English at my core
Accents hold me back though, as I find it hard to hear and understand them, glaswegian Is my worst I'd say
"
Old fashioned English haha I love that though |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I honestly don't think I change it up that much.
That’s really interesting. I think that’s like the ideal
I see myself as somewhere in the middle of most anyway, and if I don't fit in it's really not my problem. If you know what I mean?
I do but equally that comes with a certain confidence that your English is widely accepted as ‘good’ or ‘good enough’. For example in a ‘professional’ context it’s easy enough to follow and not deemed ‘unprofessional’. If that makes sense?"
Yeah, I'd say it is. I am the least professional person in my office though, but that seems to be part of my charm there. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"I honestly don't think I change it up that much.
That’s really interesting. I think that’s like the ideal
I see myself as somewhere in the middle of most anyway, and if I don't fit in it's really not my problem. If you know what I mean?
I do but equally that comes with a certain confidence that your English is widely accepted as ‘good’ or ‘good enough’. For example in a ‘professional’ context it’s easy enough to follow and not deemed ‘unprofessional’. If that makes sense?
Yeah, I'd say it is. I am the least professional person in my office though, but that seems to be part of my charm there."
Are you a bit tough around the edges, lib?  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I honestly don't think I change it up that much.
That’s really interesting. I think that’s like the ideal
I see myself as somewhere in the middle of most anyway, and if I don't fit in it's really not my problem. If you know what I mean?
I do but equally that comes with a certain confidence that your English is widely accepted as ‘good’ or ‘good enough’. For example in a ‘professional’ context it’s easy enough to follow and not deemed ‘unprofessional’. If that makes sense?
Yeah, I'd say it is. I am the least professional person in my office though, but that seems to be part of my charm there.
Are you a bit tough around the edges, lib? "
Not at all. |
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"I speak 'narm to my family and
Estuary English to most people.
What’s narm? Narm to me growing up was Peckham
I think I know what Estuary English is
'narm is Dagenham, Pickle.
We're common as muck and talk fast.
It’s so interesting how like it’s Dagenham to you and Peckham to me and in itself is a reflection of those differences in language "
There are quite a few ‘nams around. I always associate it with Dagenham but only because a bunch of my uni friends were engineers at the Ford factory and they always talked about doing a tour of duty. |
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By *ad NannaWoman
over a year ago
East London |
"I speak 'narm to my family and
Estuary English to most people.
What’s narm? Narm to me growing up was Peckham
I think I know what Estuary English is
'narm is Dagenham, Pickle.
We're common as muck and talk fast.
It’s so interesting how like it’s Dagenham to you and Peckham to me and in itself is a reflection of those differences in language "
It's because Dagenham ends in nam, so people shorten it to narm. |
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I talk in carefully crafted, fairly unaccented standard English with students.
I insert liberal profanities when in the privacy of our office.
I speak Mum with our daughter.
I speak more local slang/allow a non-specific northern accent to creep in.
I speak Spanglish and. Dutlish with those who might understand. |
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By *ad NannaWoman
over a year ago
East London |
"I honestly don't think I change it up that much.
That’s really interesting. I think that’s like the ideal
I see myself as somewhere in the middle of most anyway, and if I don't fit in it's really not my problem. If you know what I mean?"
You're well posh |
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"Continued: I often speak a specific slang that I’m not sure what it’s called but is heavily influenced by Jamaican patois and modern day Black British culture. And I mostly use this in the context of around friends but have found myself using it in work settings with Black colleagues and *very occasionally* with young people I’ve worked with as a tool/ barrier breaker.
Funny experience is talking with a Black (said because I think it’s somewhat relevant here) colleague I’d just met and slipped into some of these language uses and other (non black) colleagues asked if we knew each other - we didn’t. These forms of language, not just my example can be real comforters and real moments to be more ‘yourself’ in contexts you’re often not allowed to be.
"
Your point about “comforters” is spot on but one’s persons comforter is another’s privilege. If an upper class person had written that about their version of English I am sure the response would have been fairly hostile. For language to be a comforter I guess it also means that it is ultimately tribal/group orientated? |
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"Also something else to note I feel- I often totally feel like there’s pushback on this specific type of language in the forums which irks me. And maybe that’s for another thread but I do not the way language barriers create additional masks. That’s also not just specific to me I’m sure other people on here don’t get to use language in the ways they’re most comfortable on here. - see constant threads about text speak and abbreviations. But it’s interesting because it in many ways just reproduces notions of ‘good English’ or ‘correct English’. I wondered on my old thread if it creates an alternation with your true self but reflecting today I wonder if it actually just reinforces dominant language ideals and stops us being our most comfortable selves even in our private lives. Thoughts thoughts thoughts. "
I think its because I don't understand whats being said, when that happens, so I leave the thread to those that do. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"I speak 'narm to my family and
Estuary English to most people.
What’s narm? Narm to me growing up was Peckham
I think I know what Estuary English is
'narm is Dagenham, Pickle.
We're common as muck and talk fast.
It’s so interesting how like it’s Dagenham to you and Peckham to me and in itself is a reflection of those differences in language
It's because Dagenham ends in nam, so people shorten it to narm. "
Does it fuck |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"I talk in carefully crafted, fairly unaccented standard English with students.
I insert liberal profanities when in the privacy of our office.
I speak Mum with our daughter.
I speak more local slang/allow a non-specific northern accent to creep in.
I speak Spanglish and. Dutlish with those who might understand."
Only seen Spanglish spoken by latinx Americans on tik tok so that’s super interesting. Would argue mum is not a language so talk to mum to me? that sounds weird but I’m not being weird |
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By *ad NannaWoman
over a year ago
East London |
"I speak 'narm to my family and
Estuary English to most people.
What’s narm? Narm to me growing up was Peckham
I think I know what Estuary English is
'narm is Dagenham, Pickle.
We're common as muck and talk fast.
It’s so interesting how like it’s Dagenham to you and Peckham to me and in itself is a reflection of those differences in language
It's because Dagenham ends in nam, so people shorten it to narm.
Does it fuck "
In my fucking accent it does |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"Scots? I think we use a lot of words that if you’re not from here you wouldn’t understand. "
Yes! I had a colleague that used it and I loved that she threw it in at work. I saw it as a little resistance to the ideal English but also to us, the English |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"I speak 'narm to my family and
Estuary English to most people.
What’s narm? Narm to me growing up was Peckham
I think I know what Estuary English is
'narm is Dagenham, Pickle.
We're common as muck and talk fast.
It’s so interesting how like it’s Dagenham to you and Peckham to me and in itself is a reflection of those differences in language
It's because Dagenham ends in nam, so people shorten it to narm.
Does it fuck
In my fucking accent it does "
I think you should make a voice video for us all saying Dagenham so we can check |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"I honestly don't think I change it up that much.
That’s really interesting. I think that’s like the ideal
I see myself as somewhere in the middle of most anyway, and if I don't fit in it's really not my problem. If you know what I mean?
You're well posh "
I'm really not. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"Continued: I often speak a specific slang that I’m not sure what it’s called but is heavily influenced by Jamaican patois and modern day Black British culture. And I mostly use this in the context of around friends but have found myself using it in work settings with Black colleagues and *very occasionally* with young people I’ve worked with as a tool/ barrier breaker.
Funny experience is talking with a Black (said because I think it’s somewhat relevant here) colleague I’d just met and slipped into some of these language uses and other (non black) colleagues asked if we knew each other - we didn’t. These forms of language, not just my example can be real comforters and real moments to be more ‘yourself’ in contexts you’re often not allowed to be.
Your point about “comforters” is spot on but one’s persons comforter is another’s privilege. If an upper class person had written that about their version of English I am sure the response would have been fairly hostile. For language to be a comforter I guess it also means that it is ultimately tribal/group orientated?"
I think it’s definitely group orientated! You’re right. It’s based on cultural and/ or subcultures memberships I reckon. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
|
"I honestly don't think I change it up that much.
That’s really interesting. I think that’s like the ideal
I see myself as somewhere in the middle of most anyway, and if I don't fit in it's really not my problem. If you know what I mean?
You're well posh
I'm really hot. "
Yeah ya are |
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From the Midlands. But travel country wide. So hear all sorts. It's always awkward when out an about.
For instance. Worked in havant for 2 years. Calling someone a " daft cunt" there means something completely different to up here. |
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By *abonWoman
over a year ago
L’boro/Ashby & Cheltenham |
I’m pretty limited to what I’d call clear English. Parents paid a lot of attention to how I spoke. I think I use swearing to vary my language. Some situations none, but other situations I swear a lot for my own comfort & expression - to break the lines. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I honestly don't think I change it up that much.
That’s really interesting. I think that’s like the ideal
I see myself as somewhere in the middle of most anyway, and if I don't fit in it's really not my problem. If you know what I mean?
You're well posh
I'm really hot.
Yeah ya are "
You charmer, you. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Scots? I think we use a lot of words that if you’re not from here you wouldn’t understand.
Yes! I had a colleague that used it and I loved that she threw it in at work. I saw it as a little resistance to the ideal English but also to us, the English "
It’s easily done when you’re so used to using a specific word for something I kinda wish we were taught some Gaelic growing up so the language wouldn’t be dying off like it is today. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Continued: I often speak a specific slang that I’m not sure what it’s called but is heavily influenced by Jamaican patois and modern day Black British culture. And I mostly use this in the context of around friends but have found myself using it in work settings with Black colleagues and *very occasionally* with young people I’ve worked with as a tool/ barrier breaker.
Funny experience is talking with a Black (said because I think it’s somewhat relevant here) colleague I’d just met and slipped into some of these language uses and other (non black) colleagues asked if we knew each other - we didn’t. These forms of language, not just my example can be real comforters and real moments to be more ‘yourself’ in contexts you’re often not allowed to be.
"
I love the fact that we can code switch when we meet other black people and almost always know what the other is talking about |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Continued: I often speak a specific slang that I’m not sure what it’s called but is heavily influenced by Jamaican patois and modern day Black British culture. And I mostly use this in the context of around friends but have found myself using it in work settings with Black colleagues and *very occasionally* with young people I’ve worked with as a tool/ barrier breaker.
Funny experience is talking with a Black (said because I think it’s somewhat relevant here) colleague I’d just met and slipped into some of these language uses and other (non black) colleagues asked if we knew each other - we didn’t. These forms of language, not just my example can be real comforters and real moments to be more ‘yourself’ in contexts you’re often not allowed to be.
Your point about “comforters” is spot on but one’s persons comforter is another’s privilege. If an upper class person had written that about their version of English I am sure the response would have been fairly hostile. For language to be a comforter I guess it also means that it is ultimately tribal/group orientated?"
I like that you're inferring that Black people are not upper class |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Class is irrelevant
If for example 2 white people who were raised in heavily Irish upbringing with Irish parents/immediately family they would have the same code switch where they could use specific phrases/words that perhaps only other Irish people would understand
Its not because Black people are used in the original context that people have to make it into something else |
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As someone with various British influences in my language and accent I used to unconsciously mirror others, especially those with pronounced accents or dialects, to the extent that some thought I was taking the piss! It's something I still do a little but am much more aware of it now.
I've come across a huge variety of dialects across Scotland. Up in the NE doric can be pretty impenetrable, especially in the countryside.
OP, sometimes I don't understand what you're saying. So if I'm asking, it's not pushback, I genuinely don't understand.
Mrs TMN x |
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"Scots? I think we use a lot of words that if you’re not from here you wouldn’t understand.
Yes! I had a colleague that used it and I loved that she threw it in at work. I saw it as a little resistance to the ideal English but also to us, the English
It’s easily done when you’re so used to using a specific word for something I kinda wish we were taught some Gaelic growing up so the language wouldn’t be dying off like it is today. "
I recently met someone whose first language was Gaelic, and they were younger than me. Was genuinely gobsmacked. |
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"Scots? I think we use a lot of words that if you’re not from here you wouldn’t understand.
Yes! I had a colleague that used it and I loved that she threw it in at work. I saw it as a little resistance to the ideal English but also to us, the English
It’s easily done when you’re so used to using a specific word for something I kinda wish we were taught some Gaelic growing up so the language wouldn’t be dying off like it is today. "
In Outlander they were teaching kids some wonderful Gaelic insults |
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By *ad NannaWoman
over a year ago
East London |
"I honestly don't think I change it up that much.
That’s really interesting. I think that’s like the ideal
I see myself as somewhere in the middle of most anyway, and if I don't fit in it's really not my problem. If you know what I mean?
You're well posh
I'm really not. "
From where I live you are |
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Bit of a mix, Glaswegian/Greenock dad's side, SE Londoners (Camberwell/Peckham) on mum's and a bit of humberside and where I work now, I also lived in essex for a lot of years so I have a mix of slang words or colloquialisms depending on who I'm around or talking to.
Pretty sure I'm picking up on some if his too
Tinder |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Scots? I think we use a lot of words that if you’re not from here you wouldn’t understand.
Yes! I had a colleague that used it and I loved that she threw it in at work. I saw it as a little resistance to the ideal English but also to us, the English
It’s easily done when you’re so used to using a specific word for something I kinda wish we were taught some Gaelic growing up so the language wouldn’t be dying off like it is today.
I recently met someone whose first language was Gaelic, and they were younger than me. Was genuinely gobsmacked. "
Oh wow that’s amazing! I follow a woman on tik tok and she does a “word of the day” type thing it’s really interesting. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Me and my daughters speak with our eyes just need to give a look I have my language they have theirs and our language crosses from time to time lol a bit like our Spotify algorithm x |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Scots? I think we use a lot of words that if you’re not from here you wouldn’t understand.
Yes! I had a colleague that used it and I loved that she threw it in at work. I saw it as a little resistance to the ideal English but also to us, the English
It’s easily done when you’re so used to using a specific word for something I kinda wish we were taught some Gaelic growing up so the language wouldn’t be dying off like it is today.
In Outlander they were teaching kids some wonderful Gaelic insults"
Got to learn all the important ones first |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Class doesn't really come into it as I know some people who speak with a posh voice who grew up in East Ham to working class parents.
"
Exactly.
My step family are upper class and you wouldn't guess by hearing them speak |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
I don't really know what form of language I speak. I grew up in an area where a lot of people sounded like roadmen and chavs and made a conscious effort not I sound like that growing up, but then I was never too posh to enunciate my words so I end up having a really common Derby cadence with enunciated words that sound like I'm trying too hard to speak. IDK at this point what to tell you at this point |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Continued: I often speak a specific slang that I’m not sure what it’s called but is heavily influenced by Jamaican patois and modern day Black British culture. And I mostly use this in the context of around friends but have found myself using it in work settings with Black colleagues and *very occasionally* with young people I’ve worked with as a tool/ barrier breaker.
Funny experience is talking with a Black (said because I think it’s somewhat relevant here) colleague I’d just met and slipped into some of these language uses and other (non black) colleagues asked if we knew each other - we didn’t. These forms of language, not just my example can be real comforters and real moments to be more ‘yourself’ in contexts you’re often not allowed to be.
Your point about “comforters” is spot on but one’s persons comforter is another’s privilege. If an upper class person had written that about their version of English I am sure the response would have been fairly hostile. For language to be a comforter I guess it also means that it is ultimately tribal/group orientated?
I like that you're inferring that Black people are not upper class "
In the British class system I think specific things that are products of Black cultures are not compatible with how we identify class here. It’s part of the racism of classism. We know all too well as poc that ‘acting white’ is code for acting ‘middle class’ |
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I think I just speak 'standard english' with adults, I do swear a lot though.
With the kids I sometimes use 'their words' but mostly in a pisstake kind of manner. I probably don't even know what half of them really mean but understand context. |
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"I talk in carefully crafted, fairly unaccented standard English with students.
I insert liberal profanities when in the privacy of our office.
I speak Mum with our daughter.
I speak more local slang/allow a non-specific northern accent to creep in.
I speak Spanglish and. Dutlish with those who might understand.
Only seen Spanglish spoken by latinx Americans on tik tok so that’s super interesting. Would argue mum is not a language so talk to mum to me? that sounds weird but I’m not being weird"
I'm about to leave the gym, so I'll speak Mum you later, sweetie. Don't forget, Mummy will be home soon. Be good for Daddy and don't forget to clean your toothy-pegs and brush out your piggie-tails. Hope you had loads of fun today, Mummy's best girl (boy)
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