Speech accommodation

Speech accommodation refers to the adjustments speakers make in their language and
communication style in order to align with the language and communication style of their
conversational partners. This can include adjusting pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and
even speech rate. There are two main types of speech accommodation: convergence and
divergence.

Convergence refers to the process of aligning one's language and communication style with that
of one's conversational partner. For example, a speaker who is bilingual might switch between
languages during a conversation in order to match the language of their conversational partner.
Another example would be a speaker who changes their pronunciation or grammar in order to
match the accent or dialect of their conversational partner.

Divergence, on the other hand, refers to the process of diverging from one's own language and
communication style in order to stand out or distinguish oneself from one's conversational
partner. For example, a speaker who is bilingual might use a different language or accent in
order to assert their identity or to create distance from their conversational partner.

Research has shown that speech accommodation can play a role in social interactions,
particularly in terms of creating and maintaining social bonds and group cohesion. However, it
can also be used in more strategic ways, such as to assert social power or to influence others
in a negotiation.

References:

sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/speech-accommodation-theory

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/speech-accommodation-theory