Heather

Also the code-switching between talking to Americans and talking to New Zealanders. But trying not to talk so Kiwi that I come across as putting on an act. When in fact I just pick up new words and new dialects fast and somewhat unconsciously.

(As an immigrant whose been in Aotearoa for nearly two decades)

Just a few things I think about when I try to communicate with other humans.

#Linguistics #CodeSwitching

9:16pmWeb
Show threadThomas Beagle12h ago

@HeatherInNZ Even after just a short time in the USA, I still fumble terms like "gas/petrol station".

It's like my brain attached a "check regionalisation!" warning to the concept of "place to get petrol" but now it won't remove it. Thanks brain.

Show threadHeather12h ago
@thomasbeagle yep, it's like that only a long list of words - and always getting added to, I still learn something new all the time
Show threadA stopped clock never boils12h ago
@HeatherInNZ Also a 2-decade long immigrant, but from Australia. Even after all this time, "kia ora" never comes out of my mouth feeling natural. It's still "g'day" for me.