We can be speaking a different language as someone but both be speaking English.
Our favourite people are those that are either like us or are the way we aspire be to be.
The saying goes: “People tend to like people like themselves”
I like to think of people who get dogs that look like them as well- I find it’s hilarious when that happens and often wonder if it’s because the dog reminds them of themselves…
ANYWAY-
Here’s simple implication of this idea I use all the time.
“Language Reflection”
What are the key words you hear someone use over and over and how can you authentically incorporate them into your speech?
Kids especially have a certain vernacular- I’m definitely NOT encouraging people to awkwardly slip words in that feel uncomfortable or unnatural.
“That’s ‘rad’ man”
But it is figuring out the point of view those words come from; the family of ideas they relate to. It’s not just cut and pasting a word, but reflecting a thought rhythm and rhyming with that language style.
There’s an art to matching someones speech to align more with them.
In the past, I could understand how people feel a bit funny about doing things like this- that it’s a bit tricky or something.
But I’ve come to value helping people achieve their own potential as one of my highest priorities- so if shifting the way I speak removes a barrier and let’s them connect with me in a deeper way, then I’m okay with it.
Find their map of language and reflect it back to help them get where they want to go.
