"Krista, Can you please do an ETF for our newbie?" asks my co-worker. From the moment I started my position in Human Resources, I had to gain an understanding of a language that was very unfamiliar to me. My work environment was filled with acronyms and abbreviations. Although it was customary to speak in such a dialect, I had a hard time keeping up with a conversation. The workplace is one of many different places where how you speak reflects your surroundings. A few other places I have had the need to adjust my vocabulary are the gym, with my parents, with my friends, at school, even the bank.
When I speak with my parents, I tend to have a very conservative vocabulary. I do not use swear words when speaking with my parents and I usually will filter the subject that we are discussing so that they only get the facts. …
