Like millions of other first-generation American-born individuals, I am a linguistic code switcher.

On any given day, I navigate through an intricate labyrinth of language, switching between the language of my parents, the language of my country, and a mixture of both known as Conglish when I am with my Korean friends. Coming home from school, as I take off my shoes, I strip away the casual American English that I speak among my friends and slip into the softer more respectful tones of formal Korean when talking to my parents, conjugating my verbs nida in deference to my parents. I scream out, hakgyo-jal-danyeo wasseum-nida, which translates to I have returned from school to let my parents know that I have arrived home from school. But when I talk to my sisters I use a mixture of Korean and English utilizing the great variance and choice in words we have when we speak to each other. When I finish my dinner, out of habit, I pronounce jal-meugo-suem-nida, which translates to I ate well, thank you for the meal. Later, when my parents go to bed, I bow and formally wish peace go with them annyeong-hi-jumu-seyo. Moments such as those above, weave together in the linguistic pattern of my routine as a code switcher, which mirrors my life with its context in an informally American society still married to Korean traditions of generational respect. This is a representation of my life at home and outside in which I utilize both my languages to accompany each other throughout my life. Aside from my use of Conglish at home, Conglish is the language I use the most amongst my other Korean friends who are in the same place as me. When we converse it includes an intricate plot of English words here and some Korean words there to fill in the blank spaces that we encounter while speaking in either language. Aside from the language, the beliefs and views that I take away from Korean culture are embedded into my mindset, ultimately affecting my way of thinking in every situation I am presented with. With such symbiosis, my two cultures support each other ultimately making me who I am.