Final answer:
True, it is important to use appropriate speech styles depending on the context and audience. Adapting language to suit different social, cultural, and professional settings enhances communication effectiveness and allows for the expression of multiple linguistic identities.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is indeed true that one should use appropriate speech style when talking to certain people. Effective communication involves recognizing and adapting to the social, cultural, or environmental contexts of our interlocutors. Whether addressing a professional setting, such as a job interview, or interacting within a personal community, it is important to consider the specific language use that is expected and respected within each domain.
For example, people of color may navigate between using a more formal, grammatically correct standard English in workplaces, while opting for a different variation within their community. Taking cues from ethnographic research, linguistic choices can identify us as part of particular communities and can subvert or conform to stereotypes. President Barack Obama, for instance, effectively navigated different linguistic styles to relate to a broad audience.
It is also essential to respect the communication style expectations of others. Using specific terms or jargon, enunciating clearly, and employing respectful language helps convey messages effectively and can invite constructive conversation. The use of qualifiers like "it seems" and probabilistic words like "possible" and "risk" can soften the tone while maintaining credibility and inviting dialogue.
In conclusion, adopting the proper language use and communication style for different rhetorical situations allows one to successfully interact across various social and professional landscapes. It is crucial to be mindful of these differences to ensure clarity, respect, and effectiveness in communication.