APRIL 21, 2025

Talking Points

If You’re Too Busy

Class is in session! Today, we’re studying the complex language of communicating as a woman in corporate America. Sorry, you can’t find this one on Duolingo. 🦉 

According to a new study by Preply, a language learning platform, 82% of women code-switch at work. Think softening your speech or altering your digital communication to appear more “palatable” and “professional” (whatever TF that means). Some other eye-opening stats include:

• Nearly 2 in 5 women say they code-switch at work to express competence (other reasons include trying to appear confident and wanting to fit in).

• Nearly two-thirds of women feel pressured to use a “work voice.”

• 1 in 6 women have been told to change their tone or communication style at work.

• Once out of work, women use more slang, sarcasm, and profanity.

• Women in higher positions at a company are less likely to code-switch at work.

For some Black women at work, code-switching is less of an annoying habit and more of an exhausting means of survival.