Reflective Essay On Discourse Community

Introduction
We use language every day to inform, express, explain or socialize. The language we use in daily life varies since we have various identities in the society. Different word choices are used depending on the target, purpose and situation. Register changes at specific time either, to express the identity of oneself. In this portfolio, I will share my insight and experience gained from the course work.

(I) My discourse communities
The discourse community I wish to depict first is classmates at the same tutorial group with me. We have all tutorial classes together, meeting each other every day. The language we use to communicate is Cantonese, which is our mother tongue. Occasionally, we chat in class during breaks. However, a longer and more detailed conversation will be started after classes. We have these discussions during lunchtime or afternoon tea. Some general topics we talk are family, cosmetics products, academic works and gossips of

In Hong Kong, as a bilingual city, it is difficult to not using code mixing here. I believe my peers have affected me to use code mixing in conversations. They always use English terms to express themselves. For instance, they would say “expect” rather than what I say 期望 (kei4 mong6). Since I want to be more group-oriented, I started to use more code mixing in my talk. I also believe by code mixing, I will be able to access distinct identities and accommodate to others. What is more, it is more convenient to use code mixing. Some Chinese items are too complicated to speak ,like GPA full written form in Chinese is成績平均積點 (sing4 zik1 ping4 gwan1 zik1 dim2). Nevertheless, I prefer speaking pure Cantonese to my parents and others to code mixing. Due to low education level, my parents may not understand what I talk with code mixing. Also, people might think I am showing off my English if I use code mixing. I may give a bad impression to