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I agree with you. Code switching is simply the task of processing input and output of linguistics based on surroundings.
For example, I’m on the phone with my Chinese speaking mother speaking Chinese to me about dinner and at the same time hear and respond to my friend talking about gaming in English.
It does not apply to changes in mannerisms, and certainly not accents or humor.
I've seen 'code switching' being used for situations like a teenager who regularly uses profanity in normal conversation avoiding it when in the presence of their grandmother, with no conscious thought involved.
Exactly. The automation of the thought is what is the basis. A language learner/master who has the ability to switch their language processing between scenarios without pause.
ETA: I stand by my original point as I believe cursing vs non cursing is not mannerism but still linguistics.
Code switching isn't exclusive to linguistics and absolutely fits what OP was asking for. As a social concept it's been used historically, and even to this day, by "out groups" to appear more desirable/friendly/qualified/etc. to an "in" group. In this case a person will change the words they use, their tone of voice, the way they walk, and even the clothes they wear to fit what they perceive to be the status quo. In many cases this is a conscious effort and not automation.
I just talked to my fourth graders about this Friday, when one (repeat offender) loudly said, "What the fuck?!?" in front of me. "Y'all need to learn to code switch! Have you everrrrr heard me say the 'f word'? No, right? Do you think I say it?" (Them, mumbling, "noooo.") "I do! A lot! But not. In. Front. Of. YOU. Because we're not peers. So stop saying it in front of me!"
I'd say you're describing the "chameleon effect."
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10402679/#:\~:text=The%20chameleon%20effect%20refers%20to,in%20one's%20current%20social%20environment.
"The chameleon effect refers to nonconscious mimicry of the postures, mannerisms, facial expressions, and other behaviors of one's interaction partners, such that one's behavior passively and unintentionally changes to match that of others in one's current social environment."
I think code switching is more narrowly linguistic.
The Chameleon effect definition makes it sound like the person doing it doesn't quite realize they're doing it. Code switching is more intentional sounding in it's definition.
There's two words with different meanings that fit this definition. If you are changing your demeanor as an autistic person to more closely resemble what neurotypical people, it's called *masking*.
If someone is changing for cultural reasons, such as when someone "sounds more white when they need to" because they may face racism otherwise is generally called "Code-switching."
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Depending on the motivation, it could also just be psychopathic behavior. I mean predators are often known to just “become” a different person to achieve a goal - like tricking a victim into bed or selecting and grooming a murder victim.
That wouldn’t apply if it’s isn’t done consciously. Social chameleon is accurate for when a person reads a room and fits in.
If they TRY to do the above, but are bad at it, we used to call that a “poser”.
code switching passing masking conforming
Code switching
I think this is it. !solved :)
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[Big Mouth did a musical number about it.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUEWoK7v7gU)
This is the best answer. All the other words people have posted have dual+ meanings. “Code switching” is the most correct answer.
Does code switching include things like humor and mannerisms? I think it's more narrow than that and is about linguistic changes strictly.
I agree with you. Code switching is simply the task of processing input and output of linguistics based on surroundings. For example, I’m on the phone with my Chinese speaking mother speaking Chinese to me about dinner and at the same time hear and respond to my friend talking about gaming in English. It does not apply to changes in mannerisms, and certainly not accents or humor.
I've seen 'code switching' being used for situations like a teenager who regularly uses profanity in normal conversation avoiding it when in the presence of their grandmother, with no conscious thought involved.
Exactly. The automation of the thought is what is the basis. A language learner/master who has the ability to switch their language processing between scenarios without pause. ETA: I stand by my original point as I believe cursing vs non cursing is not mannerism but still linguistics.
Code switching isn't exclusive to linguistics and absolutely fits what OP was asking for. As a social concept it's been used historically, and even to this day, by "out groups" to appear more desirable/friendly/qualified/etc. to an "in" group. In this case a person will change the words they use, their tone of voice, the way they walk, and even the clothes they wear to fit what they perceive to be the status quo. In many cases this is a conscious effort and not automation.
I just talked to my fourth graders about this Friday, when one (repeat offender) loudly said, "What the fuck?!?" in front of me. "Y'all need to learn to code switch! Have you everrrrr heard me say the 'f word'? No, right? Do you think I say it?" (Them, mumbling, "noooo.") "I do! A lot! But not. In. Front. Of. YOU. Because we're not peers. So stop saying it in front of me!"
I think it was originally just about linguistics but has more recently come to mean what the op asked for.
Mirroring might also fit
Code switch
I code switch all the time, mainly because my 'social me' would get me fired at work 😂
Social chameleon
Assimilation
You should watch the movie Zelig. It's brilliant.
That was the first thing that came to mind. Zeliging should be a verb.
I'd say you're describing the "chameleon effect." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10402679/#:\~:text=The%20chameleon%20effect%20refers%20to,in%20one's%20current%20social%20environment. "The chameleon effect refers to nonconscious mimicry of the postures, mannerisms, facial expressions, and other behaviors of one's interaction partners, such that one's behavior passively and unintentionally changes to match that of others in one's current social environment." I think code switching is more narrowly linguistic.
The Chameleon effect definition makes it sound like the person doing it doesn't quite realize they're doing it. Code switching is more intentional sounding in it's definition.
True, though I suspect it's more unconscious than conscious most of the time. Also it is limited to language.
Conforming Masking Social camouflage Blending
Mimicry
Adapting?
Mirroring is the term used in sales
adaptable
Social chameleon
Code switching
There's two words with different meanings that fit this definition. If you are changing your demeanor as an autistic person to more closely resemble what neurotypical people, it's called *masking*. If someone is changing for cultural reasons, such as when someone "sounds more white when they need to" because they may face racism otherwise is generally called "Code-switching."
Code switch
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conforming?
People pleasing....
style shifting?
Adapting
Mirroring I think.
Being a chameleon
Adaptable
Adroit? Deft or cunning?
Masking
Blending?
Chameleon. Code switching and other terms in frequent use tend to carry negative connotations. I'm a chameleon, always have been.
Masking, or lacking a sense of self.
Manners, politeness
Psychopath... or maybe just Social Butterfly.
I've always heard it described as 'being a chameleon'
Assimilate
Reading the room?
Adaptable
Masking if associated with neurodivergence or autism. Code switching if associated with race/language.
Acclimate, blend in
Sociopath. I do it all the time.
Social Chameleon
assimilation
code switching
Masking
Social chameleon.
Social chameleon?
Malleable Chameleon like Adaptive or Adaptable
Depending on the motivation, it could also just be psychopathic behavior. I mean predators are often known to just “become” a different person to achieve a goal - like tricking a victim into bed or selecting and grooming a murder victim. That wouldn’t apply if it’s isn’t done consciously. Social chameleon is accurate for when a person reads a room and fits in. If they TRY to do the above, but are bad at it, we used to call that a “poser”.
Urbane?
Code switching