Final answer:
Tony's switch between a New York and Southern accent when talking to different people is an example of code-switching, which occurs when an individual alternates between different dialects or languages in conversation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tony is an ECU student who was raised in New York City. When Tony talks to his friends from New York, he speaks with a New York accent, however, at ECU he speaks with a Southern accent. This is an example of code-switching.
Code-switching is when a speaker alternates between two or more varieties of language or dialects in conversation, often based on social context. This phenomenon is common among bilinguals and those who can speak multiple dialects. Dialects are forms of a language specific to a particular region or social group and may include particular patterns of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
In the United States, there are many dialects linked to cultural identity, geography, and ethnicity. Variations like the New York and Southern accents can coexist in a person's speech repertoire, and this flexibility allows individuals to navigate different cultural norms and social expectations.