When we talk about immigrating to a new country, we often focus on how to get a job ASAP, finding a house, and all the other similar issues we have to deal with as we feel our way into the new society.
But we seem to forget or rather, we seem to gloss over understanding and adapting to the spoken and unspoken cultural nuances that guide social and professional interactions.
Code-switching. Adapting to the communication style and tone of the new country. Same thing.
And it’s not about learning to speak with the accent. Because you can speak phoneh,1 and still end up not passing your message across when it matters.
Code-switching isn’t about speaking with the accent. It’s you adapting your communication style to suit your new environment. And it’s a necessary skill.
One you’ll need to survive, especially at work. You can't play it by the ear. You MUST invest time in learning how to communicate or else you are always going to feel frustrated.
However, the fact that you are code-switching doesn't mean you should lose yourself in the process. Or allow everyone and anyone run roughshod over you.
Rotimi Fawole, lawyer, DJ, and writer joined me on The Newcomers Podcast to chat about code-switching, and how it’s a key element of settling down.
We also chatted about:
Moving to the UK as a student, heading back to Nigeria because of the lure of Africa rising, and then moving back to the UK
Managing your communication style at work as an immigrant
Why it’s crucial to build a community of people who are an example of who you want to become in your new home
Why it’s so hard for immigrants to bring their full selves to work
Tips that can help you improve your communication style, and more.
Remember, we are products of how we are raised, so spend some time learning how things work.
Did you read it?
Nigerian slang for speaking with an accent.
E49: Rotimi Fawole believes code-switching is a necessary skill