Often people with different speaking styles communicate with each other, even from within the same nation. Basil Bernstein (1966) stated that the social situation, including communicative context (for example, a job interview versus a party) and social relationships (for example, peers versus status un equals), dictates the forms of speaking used in a particular situation. Bernstein suggested that in all cultures, there are different types of codes. A restricted code is a code used by people who know each other well, such as jargon or argot. Jargon refers to a vocabulary used by people within a specific profession or area (such as rugby players or mine workers), while argot refers to language used by those in a particular underclass, often to differentiate themselves from a dominant culture (e.g., prostitutes, prisoners). However, as people get to know each other better, even good friends can develop this sort of linguistic shorthand, speaking in terms or references that others do not understand. In an elaborated code , people spell out the details of meaning in the words in a way that those outside of the group can understand them. This switching back and forth between codes is called code-switching . Effective communicators should be able to speak in restricted codes appropriate to their context, but also know how to switch to elaborated code (for example, to include outsiders)—to change their vocabulary, level of formality, and so on, to match the audience and social occasion.

Based on the notions of different codes within a community, as well as code-switching and other theoretical ideas, Howard Giles and his colleagues introduced communication accommodation theory (Giles & Noels, 2002; Gallois et al ., 2005). This theory predicts how people adjust their communication in certain situations, the factors that lead to such changes, and the outcomes of different types of changes. In the U.S. television series, Lost , through a series of flashbacks and present communication, we observe the speech of Jin Kwon (Daniel Dae Kim), a Korean man, the son of a fisherman, but hired by a wealthy restaurant owner. In some cases, his communication is respectful, indirect, deferential; in others, it is direct, friendly or aggressive, and nonverbally more expressive. In some cases, he might change his behavior to be more like that of the person with whom he is speaking ( convergence ), and in others, he might make no changes in his behavior ( maintenance ) or even highlight his own style to mark it as different from that of the other group ( divergence ). Jin can change his behavior in terms of nonverbal behavior (distance, posture, touch, etc.), paralinguistic behavior (tone of voice, rate of speech, volume, etc.), and verbal behavior (word choice, complexity of grammar, topic of conversation, turn-taking, etc.). Many things influence shifts in his speech, such as the status and power of the other communicator, the situation, who is present, communication goals (for example, to seem friendly, or to show status or threat), the strength of his own language in the community, and his communication abilities.

 Communication and sites of dominance Convergence can often go wrong. Giles and Noels (2002) explain that, although converging is usually well received, we can overaccommodate , or converge too much or in ineffective ways, by adjusting in ways we might think are appropriate, but are based on stereotypes of the other. People often speak louder and more slowly to a foreigner, thinking that they will thus be more understandable. Overaccommodation also works in situations of dominance. For example, younger people often inappropriately adjust their communication when talking with elderly people. Often called secondary baby talk , this includes a higher pitch in voice, simpler vocabulary, and use of plural ­ first-person ("we"—"Would we like to put our coat on? It's very cold outside"). While some older people find this type of communication comforting, especially from health workers, some feel it speaks down to them and treats them as no longer competent. A similar feeling might be experienced by Blacks in the United States when Whites use hyper explanation . This inappropriate form of adjustment also includes use of simpler grammar, repetition, and clearer enunciation. But Harry Waters (1992) suggests that it is a behavior some Whites engage in while talking with Blacks (or other minority members)—perhaps based on real communication differences or perhaps based on stereotypes, ­ but certainly leaving hurt feelings or resentment on the part of the Black listeners. Writers have outlined the ways in which word choice, turn-taking and length, or topic selection may also serve to exclude others, often without us even being aware of it (Fairclough, 2001; Tannen, 1994). Don Zimmerman and Candace West (1975) found that while women "overlapped" speech turns in talking to men, often with "continuers" ("mm hmm," "yes") that continued the turn of the male, men were more often likely to interrupt women, often taking the turn away from them. And when women did interrupt men, the men did not yield the turn to women, while women did yield the turn to men. Jennifer Coates (2003), observing storytelling, found that men and boys often framed themselves as heroes, as being rebels or rule-breakers. In analysis of family communication, she found that there is "systematic" work done by all family members in many families to frame the father as either the primary story teller or the one to whom children tell their stories. Coates concludes, "Family talk can be seen to construct and maintain political order within families. . . . to conform roles and power structures within families" (p. 158), giving men more power in most mixed-gender storytelling over women. We can see that each aspect of verbal communication could be used in ways to impose power over others, often based on group identity, cultural difference, maintenance of group power, or, simply put, prejudice.

• Give an example of how you have used the communication accommodation theory in an intercultural interaction.
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• Did you use convergence, maintenance, or divergence? Why?
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• Would you change anything about the interaction considering your knowledge of this theory? 

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Example of Communication Accommodation Theory in Intercultural Interaction In a professional setting I had the opportunity to work closely with a team ... View the full answer