Narrator (Diana): Hi everyone, and welcome. Today’s episode is Tongues Tied and Unfiltered, and today we’re exploring the beliefs, assumptions, and ideologies surrounding the English language.I’m your host, Diana, and I’m joined by Alexandra and Shazia.
Alexandra:Hey everyone! I’m really glad to be part of this episode!
Shazia: Same here. These are things a lot of us experience but don’t always get the chance to talk about, so I’m excited to dive in!
Alexandra- So before we get started, I think that we should explain the true meaning of bilingualism and linguistic variation because these terms can get tricky. Bilingualism is the ability to speak and understand two or more languages frequently.Even if you are always speaking just one language at a time, or a certain language for your at home setting you are still bilingual! For those who only speak one language but speak it in a variety of ways,they would be engaging in linguistic variation.
Narrator (Diana): When we have conversations surrounding language, there’s so much complexity that goes into it. It’s more than just words– identity, navigating the world, and power are all elements of language. In this podcast, we want to dispel some myths and have open discussion regarding English language, linguistic variation, and bilingualism.
Alexandra: I think the most common assumption would be that standard English is the only correct form of communication. We often associate this with professionalism and being “proper” but this isn’t always the case. This assumption completely ignores that all dialects and languages have the same potential to express meaning and creativity. This stigma leads to issues with kids during school.

Shazia: Exactly! This is because in the classroom, there’s a lot of pressure to speak in a certain way, like using specific words or sentence structures. But that doesn’t mean someone’s not communicating effectively. It feels like there’s this constant push to sound a certain way, when really, how we speak shouldn’t take away from the message we’re trying to share.
Narrator (Diana): It can definitely be frustrating when students are judged based on the way they speak rather than the ideas they’re expressing.
Alexandra- So today, we wanted to get our listeners involved in this episode. A few days ago we had them comment some questions on our instagram post to which they were wondering about for this episode.
Narrator (Diana): One of the questions that stood out to us was: Why do teachers correct the way we speak if they still understand what we’re saying?
Shazia: I think part of it is because there’s this belief that there’s one “right” way to speak, especially in schools. Teachers are often taught to value "standard" English because it’s seen as the proper way to communicate in formal situations, like in school or at work. But that doesn’t mean it’s the only way to communicate clearly. In fact, when teachers focus too much on how students speak, it can make them lose confidence and feel less willing to speak up. It’s important to focus on what’s being said, not just how it’s being said.

Diana: It definitely has to do with the system as a whole. Older generations were taught there was a “correct” way to speak English obviously not accounting for certain dialects and accents. So this idea has been passed down.

Alexandra: To add onto that, my thoughts are that teachers believe using “non standard English” makes students seem less academically intelligent! They just think this language is inferior. I believe that they think correcting our speech will make us better students, but what they really are doing is discouraging students to embrace their first language. All dialects should be seen as “correct”. Our dialects are the different ways we communicate with each other and educators are creating a culturally insensitive classroom atmosphere.

Narrator (Diana): So, let’s move on to the next question. What’s the difference between code-switching and being fake?

Alexandra: Well, we all participate in code-switching even if we are not consciously aware of it. Code switching is when a person changes the way they are speaking depending on the situation, setting, or who they are talking to.So,for example we all mostly talk to our boss in a different way than we are talking to our sister. However, being fake is when a person is pretending to be someone that they are not. However, code switching is not always so innocent. It actually makes me sad because there are children who feel that they need to speak without their home language or accent when they are in school because of the ridicule they are receiving. They want to resist being judged so they change the way they sound or what they are saying. However these children need to be taught to be proud of their identities. To resist the stereotypes that lead to code switching, students can be more aware of how they are affecting people’s mental health around them and create an atmosphere where diversity is celebrated.

Shazia: Code-switching is when you shift how you speak to match your surroundings or who you’re talking to. It’s about being aware of the context and adapting so that your message lands in the best way possible. It's a skill many of us use without even thinking about it. Being fake, though, is when you abandon who you truly are to try to please others or fit into a space you don’t belong. It’s about wearing a mask, pretending to be someone you're not, just to get approval. Code-switching is an authentic tool we use to navigate the world, while being fake is about losing your true self to gain acceptance.

Diana: I agree! With code switching, people take situations and context into account. You wouldn’t talk to your friends the same way you would talk to a supervisor, so knowing there’s a time and place where you might need to change how you speak isn’t a bad thing.

Narrator (Diana): And now, onto our last question: Do you think English should be the only language taught in schools, or should there be more focus on bilingual education?

Shazia: I believe that schools should definitely focus more on bilingual education. Learning more than one language is incredibly helpful today. It opens up so many opportunities in life, whether it's for career choices or for connecting with people from different cultures. Studies even show that bilingual people tend to have better problem-solving, focusing, memory, and multi-tasking skills. They also have a greater sense of understanding of diverse cultures and want to spread awareness. While English is important, learning other languages can only help students succeed even more in the world.

Alexandra: Yes I completely agree! I actually read an article that states only 67 percent of students who speak English as a second language will graduate from highschool in 4 years. That is so unfortunate. Children should be taught more than one language in schools starting from kindergarten to start a foundation. Over the years, this will help kids that use English as a second language when their peers around them also have background knowledge of the language they are proficient in. Educators also play a huge role in the classroom environment and should know how to celebrate their student’s diverse backgrounds. This will also benefit all students in their future as I know being bilingual increases job opportunities because it is considered an esteemed ability.

Diana: There definitely should be more emphasis on bilingual education. In places outside of the United States, students learn many languages. Understanding other languages helps students become well versed as a whole.

Alexandra: Today we explored how language reflects our identities and some of the English language Ideologies.Genuinely at the end of the day how we speak reflects on who we are including our communities, cultures, and our identities which is truly beautiful. It is something to be PROUD of, not something to hide or change to fit in. Using our voices carries our stories!

Closing- Narrator (Diana): And that brings us to the end! Thank you for joining us for this episode, Tongues Tied and Unfiltered and for anyone who has submitted questions. If this conversation made you reflect on your own experiences whether in school, at work, or at home, we’d love to hear from you. Until next time, keep speaking your truth, keep questioning what’s considered “normal,” and remember, your voice is powerful, no matter what it sounds like.
Alexandra: Thank you for listening, everyone! Take care, and we’ll see you in the next one!
Shazia: It’s been so lovely being here with you all. Stay true to yourself and speak your truth. See you soon, bye for now!
The END