Author: Arianny Abreu

In the article, “3 ways to speak English”, it is worth noting that Jamila Lyiscott, offers a didactic description on the three ways to speak English. She describes in her presentation how she is trilingual not because she speaks three different languages but because she uses 3 different versions of the same language and is able to maneuver around life better. She emphasizes 3 separate “Englishes”. The first is formal with sophisticated phrases and being articulate (school), the second is English in which she speaks with her family (home). And the third way Jamila describes speaking English is casual english, spoken with her close friends (friends). It’s a different dialect that she uses though, possibly Jamaican. At my home I’m faced with a similar situation where I have to speak in formal spanish though, but occasionally I speak english to my family members as well when spanish doesnt come so fluently to me at the time being. I have also had my experiences with various “englishes” similar to Jamila Lyiscott. I often felt that these three ways of speaking English were true and had to be spoken, but at the right moment. And I still agree and feel this way till this day. Due to the circumstances of me growing up speaking both languages, english and spanish, it was hard for me to control what to say and in what way to say it, with one of those specific languages at a certain time they were needed. When I am hanging out with my friends, I do not intend on using sophisticated words or formality around them. Because I do not want to make them feel inferior or uncomfortable. Instead I want to create a fun and careless friendly environment and want them to feel comfortable. The same happens to some family members of mine or even just those who are close to each other but might feel unusual to the formality and feel distant from each other because of another communication process being used. I believe that formal English is compulsory when it comes to conversing with professors, professionals or an individual who you view is more adequate and intellectual than most or oneself. Lyiscott explains this concept in her piece, with a bit of humour in her spoken word. For Instance she states, “So when my Professor comes on the block and says, “Hello” I stop him and say “Noooo …You’re being inarticulate … the proper way is to say “what’s good”. She is trying to say that in different settings, there are different ways speaking is implemented or possibly even enforced. Lyiscott uses her ability to speak three different “English” languages to her advantage. She talks to professionals, those who are nonprofessionals and her family/friends. As do I.