The speaker shares her experience growing up in southern California, where a casual speaking style that includes frequent uses of filler words like "like" is common. She now lives in New York and aims to minimize these speech patterns as they are associated with the Valley Girl dialect, which is less prevalent there. However, she finds this process challenging.
This quote delves into the complex relationship between personal identity and regional culture. The speaker's attempt to alter her speech habits reflects a broader struggle many people face when integrating into new environments or attempting to shed aspects of their past that they perceive as out-of-place in their current setting. It also highlights how deeply ingrained certain linguistic patterns can be, even when individuals consciously try to modify them. This observation underscores the significance of language and dialects in shaping one's sense of self and identity.
Mara Wilson is an American actress and writer known for her roles in popular films during the 1990s, including "Matilda" and "Mrs. Doubtfire." Beyond her acting career, she has written about various topics related to culture, language, and personal growth, often sharing insights from her experiences as a public figure transitioning into other aspects of life beyond entertainment.
